Casual Play Guidelines
A quick-reference guide for recreational rounds —
Safety First
Always wait until the group ahead has completed the hole and cleared the green before teeing off.
Tee Box Procedure
Begin each hole from the designated tee box with both feet behind the tee marker and your ball placed on a tee.
Whiff Rule
A complete swing that does not make contact with the ball is not counted as a stroke. No penalty applies.
Out of Bounds
A ball coming to rest out of bounds incurs a two-stroke penalty. The ball is placed at the point where it last crossed the OB boundary.
Hazard Relief
A ball landing in a designated hazard incurs a one-stroke penalty. Drop the ball at the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.
Play the Fairway
Players must play the ball from the fairway. Hitting from the rough or tall grass is not permitted.
Free Relief
Players are entitled to free relief from immovable obstructions in the fairway, including rocks, stumps, flowerbeds, and fixed course fixtures.
Course Care
Repair any divots or damage to the course. Return all borrowed equipment to the pro shop or clubhouse upon completion of your round.
Course Conduct
Course management reserves the right to suspend or revoke playing privileges at any time. All players are expected to conduct themselves respectfully.
Sportsmanship
Good sportsmanship and honesty are fundamental to the game. Focus on accuracy and a smooth, controlled swing — typically a half to three-quarter motion is all that is required.
Official NAPGA Tournament Rules
Self-Refereed Play on Championship Courses
Conduct & Self-Refereeing
Player Responsibility
Each player is responsible for refereeing their own game and should consult fellow competitors when a ruling is required.
Making Calls
The majority of rulings involve balls at rest and are straightforward. Players are expected to call their own penalties honestly.
Seeking Input
In cases of genuine uncertainty, a player may seek input from others in the group. However, the final ruling rests with the player whose ball is in question.
Player Conduct
Park Golf upholds the values of safety, honesty, integrity, and mutual respect. All players are expected to compete fairly and treat fellow competitors with courtesy.
Spirit of the Game
Rules should be applied in a relaxed and collegial manner. The goal is an enjoyable, fair experience for all participants.
The Basics
Players begin each hole from the marked tee box and advance the ball toward the cup, counting every stroke until the ball is holed. The objective is to complete each hole in the fewest strokes possible. A hole encompasses the area from the tee box through the fairway to the cup. A standard round consists of 9 or 18 holes. Can be numbered 1-18 or 2 loops of 1-9 (colored or A & B) etc.
Each hole measures between 25 and 125 yards and is designated Par-3, Par-4, or Par-5. A nine-hole course carries a total par of 33; eighteen holes total 66.
Advanced Level (AL) courses may measure between 150 and 175 yards per hole, with a total course length of up to 1,500 yards (1,380 meters). Total Par is 72.
Hole difficulty is determined by distance and the layout of course elements, including the fairway, rough, bunkers, and out-of-bounds zones.
In stroke play, the total number of strokes — including all penalty strokes — is tallied across all holes. The player with the lowest aggregate score wins.
Playing a Round
Groups shall consist of no more than four players.
The order of play on the first hole is determined by lot (drawing straws, coins, or cards). On subsequent holes, the player with the best score on the previous hole plays first.
From the second shot onward, the ball farthest from the hole is played first.
Scores are recorded after all players have completed the hole and the group has moved to the next tee.
Unless otherwise specified, all penalty strokes result in two strokes being added to the player's score.
Each player must use a single club, a single ball, and one tee throughout the round. Damaged equipment may be replaced with the consent of fellow competitors.
Players must use equipment certified by the NAPGA or equipment that has been inspected and approved with a recognized certification sticker. Certification requirements may differ between casual and tournament play and different associations.
Detailed Rules of Play
1. On the Tee Box — First Shot
The first stroke is taken from within the teeing area. The player's stance must be entirely inside the tee box. The ball must be placed on a tee within the teeing area.
A swing that completely misses the ball is not counted as a stroke. If the ball is struck but remains on the teeing ground, it is not deemed a stroke and the player may re-tee.
If the ball falls off the tee during address without being struck, it is not deemed a stroke and the player may re-tee.
A player may not ask other players to mark their balls during the tee shot.
2. Second Shot Onward
The ball farthest from the hole is played first.
The ball must be played as it lies. A ball in play must not be touched, moved, or kicked. Improving the lie by bending branches, pressing down the ground, or similar actions incurs a one-stroke penalty.
If the club head touches the ball during address, it is counted as a stroke.
If the ball moves of its own accord before address, it is considered a result of the previous stroke and must be played from where it came to rest.
A swing that completely misses the ball is not a stroke. However, if the ball moves as a result of the swing, it is counted as a stroke.
Moveable obstructions (stones, leaves, twigs, animal droppings, mushrooms, etc.) may be removed without penalty. If the ball moves as a result, it must be returned to its original position without penalty.
If another player's ball interferes with play, the player may request it be marked. Alternatively, the second player may choose to hole out before the first player plays.
If the ball is within two club lengths of the cup, the player may mark and lift it, or inform the group and play through to hole out.
If a ball in play is moved by another ball, it must be replaced at its original position. The striking ball is played from where it came to rest.
If a player declares their ball unplayable, one stroke is added and the ball is placed within one club length of — and no nearer the hole than — the original position.
If an OB stake or net interferes with play, the ball must be played as it lies, or the player may declare an unplayable ball and take relief with a one-stroke penalty.
Stepping on or pressing down heavy rough to improve the lie of the ball incurs a one-stroke penalty.
Illegal strokes — including pushing, pulling, or double-hitting the ball — incur a one-stroke penalty.
Striking another player's ball by mistake is not counted as a stroke, but incurs a one-stroke penalty. The wrong ball must be returned to its original position and the player continues with their own ball.
If the ball strikes any part of another player's body, no penalty is incurred. The ball is played from where it came to rest.
If the ball strikes the player's own body, a one-stroke penalty is incurred and the ball is played from where it came to rest.
If the ball becomes cracked or damaged, it may be substituted with confirmation from another player. No penalty is incurred.
After declaring the intention to fellow players, a player may mark and lift their ball to inspect or clean it.
If the ball lies in casual water (a temporary puddle), the player may take free relief with confirmation from another player. The ball is placed at the nearest point that avoids the casual water, no closer to the hole.
In a bunker, smoothing the sand to improve the lie incurs a one-stroke penalty. However, the player may plant their feet firmly and rest the club sole on the sand without pressing down.
Playing from within an OB area is prohibited. OB boundaries are defined by connecting the course-side points of adjacent OB stakes. A ball is not out of bounds if any part of it touches the boundary line. If a ball crosses OB and returns in bounds, it is deemed OB at the point it crossed the line and a two-stroke penalty applies.
If the ball comes to rest out of bounds, a two-stroke penalty is incurred. The ball is placed within two club lengths of — and no nearer the hole than — the point where it last crossed the OB line.
Returning a score lower than the actual score results in disqualification for the player and all group members who confirmed the incorrect score.
Certified Equipment Guidelines
NAPGA-certified, American Park Golf-certified equipment carries no additional certification fee. All certified clubs must meet the following specifications:
Club face angle of at least 90° (perpendicular to the ground, parallel with the shaft).
Maximum club length of 86 cm and maximum weight of 600 grams.
Club head composed of at least 82% 100% solid hardwood — no plywood or MDF.
Club face constructed of 100% 3K Carbon Fiber (no plastic composites), minimum 7mm thickness.
Park Golf balls must be 60mm in diameter and weigh between 80 and 95 grams.
Tees must be made of soft rubber or plastic and measure no more than 2.5 cm in height.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
All clubs may look similar in photographs. Before purchasing, ask these questions and insist on clear answers:
Is the club head made of 100% solid hardwood block — not plywood, MDF, or alloy?
Is the club face 100% carbon fiber with a true 3K woven structure?
Is the carbon fiber face at least 7mm thick?
Are the grips upgraded for comfort and reduced fatigue?
Is the shaft 100% carbon fiber or graphite — or an unspecified, lower-grade material?
Does the club carry a current NAPGA, American Park Golf, or PGW Association Network certified sticker?