Strokes, advice and caddies
The R&A / USGA · 2023Fair striking, limits on help and responsibility for your caddie.
Making the stroke
Strike the ball fairly with the clubhead; do not push, scrape or scoop it. An accidental double hit counts as a single stroke without an extra penalty. Anchoring the club is prohibited, as is deliberately straddling the line of play, subject to stated exceptions. Normally do not hit a moving ball. Breaching these stroke restrictions brings the general penalty: loss of hole in match play or 2 penalty strokes in stroke play.
Advice and assistance
During a round, do not give competitors advice or ask anyone except your caddie, with partner and team exceptions. Public information is different from advice. You may have only 1 caddie at a time and are responsible for their breaches. Objects placed for aiming and deliberate caddie alignment behind the ball are restricted. Physical help or deliberately arranged protection from weather during the stroke is prohibited. The caddie cannot drop your ball for relief.
Sources & approach ↗