Expanded revision of the first St Andrews Rules of 1754.
The putting green has its first mention, but not defined.
First example of relief from abnormal ground conditions, specifically rabbit scrapes and burrows. The links land of St Andrews had been given over to rabbit farming in the early 1800s.
Dropping procedure introduced.
Player is allowed to see his ball before playing.
Relief from a wrong hole, but only apparently on one hole (the hole-across green is the current 5th/13th on the Old Course).

[1802 Edinburgh Burgess]   [1809_HCEG]   [1810_Glasgow]   [1812_St_Andrews ]   [1814_Burgess]   [1815_Aberdeen]   [1824_Thistle]   [1825_Perth]   [1828_Blackheath]   [1828_Burntisland]   [1829_St_Andrews]   [1829_Musselburgh]   [1830_Montrose]   [1834_Musselburgh]   [1838_Burgess]   [1839_HCEG]   [1839_Royal_Perth]   [1842_R&A]   [1844_Blackheath]   [1858_R&A]   [1864_Royal Perth]   [1875_R&A]   [1882_R&A]   [1883_Royal Wimbledon]   [1886_RIoW]   [1888_R&A]   [1891_R&A]   [1895_R&A]  

[<< 18th Century Rules Codes ] [Home]   [Contents]   [ 20th and 21st Century Rules Codes >>]


RULES OF GOLF
AS IT IS PLAYED BY THE SOCIETY OF
ST. ANDREWS GOLFERS, May, 1812.

I.  The balls must be teed not nearer the hole than two club lengths nor further from it than four.

II.  The ball farthest from the hole must be played first.

III.  The ball struck from the tee must not be changed before the hole is played out; and if the parties are at a loss to know one ball from the other, neither shall be lifted till both parties agree.

IV.  Stones, bones or any break-club within a club length of the ball may be removed when the ball lies on grass, but nothing can be removed if it lie on sand, or in a bunker; if however it stick fast in the ground, it may be loosened.

V.  If the ball lie in a rabbit scrape the player shall not be at liberty to take it out, but must play it as from any common hazard; if, however, it lie in one of the burrows, he may lift it, drop it behind the hazard, and play with an iron without losing a stroke.

VI.  If the ball is half covered or more with water, the player may take it out, tee it, and play from behind the hazard, losing a stroke.

VII.  If the ball lie in the supernumerary hole on the hole-across green, it may be dropped behind the hazard and played with an iron without losing a stroke.

VIII.  When the balls lie within six inches of one another, the ball nearest the hole must be lifted till the other is played, but on the putting green it shall not be lifted, although within six inches, unless it lie directly between the other and the hole.

IX.  Whatever happens to a ball by accident must be reckoned a rub of the green; if, however, the player's ball strike his adversary, or his cady, the adversary loses the hole; if it strike his own cady, the player loses the hole; If the player strike his adversary's ball with his club, the player loses the hole.

X.  If a ball be lost, the stroke goes for nothing; the player returns to the spot whence the ball was struck, tees it, and loses a stroke.

XI.  If, in striking, the club breaks, it is nevertheless accounted a stroke if the player either strike the ground or pass the ball.

XII.  On holing, you are not to place any mark to direct you to the hole; you are to play your ball fairly and honestly for the hole, and not on your adversary's ball not lying in your way to the hole.

XIII.  All loose impediments of whatever kind, may be removed upon the putting green.

XIV.  In all cases where a ball is to be dropped the party dropping shall front the hole to which he is playing, and drop the ball behind him over his head.

Fog, bent, whins &c
Fog, bent, whins &c on the Old Course

XV.  When a ball is completely covered with fog, bent, whins, &c., so much thereof shall be set aside as that the player shall have a full view of his ball before he plays.

XVI.  When the balls touch each other, one of them must be lifted until the other is played.

XVII.  Any disputes respecting the play shall be determined by the Captain or Senior member present, and if none of the members are present, by the Captain and his annual Council for the time.


to topTo Top