Golf is a sport played on courses with 18 holes where the objective is to hit a ball into each hole in as few shots as possible using various clubs. It originated in Scotland in the 12th century and has since spread worldwide. A golf course consists of teeing areas, fairways, hazards like bunkers and water, and putting greens. The rules dictate playing the ball as it lies while prohibiting improving conditions.

2.  GolfGolf is a sport in which ais a sport in which a
player, using many types ofplayer, using many types of
clubs including a driver, aclubs including a driver, a
putter, and irons, hits a ballputter, and irons, hits a ball
into each hole on a golfinto each hole on a golf
course in the lowestcourse in the lowest
possible number of strokes.possible number of strokes.
Golf is one of the few ballGolf is one of the few ball
games that does not use agames that does not use a
standardized playing area;standardized playing area;
rather, the game is playedrather, the game is played
on golf "courses", each oneon golf "courses", each one
of which has a uniqueof which has a unique
design and typically consistsdesign and typically consists
of either 9 or 18 holes.of either 9 or 18 holes.

3.  The most accepted golf history theory is that golf (as practisedThe most accepted golf history theory is that golf (as practised
today) originated from Scotland in the 12th century, with shepherdstoday) originated from Scotland in the 12th century, with shepherds
knocking stones into rabbit holes in the place where the famousknocking stones into rabbit holes in the place where the famous
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews now sits.However, theRoyal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews now sits.However, the
origin of golf is unclear and open to debate.origin of golf is unclear and open to debate.
 The game was brought to Europe by the Mongols in the 12th andThe game was brought to Europe by the Mongols in the 12th and
13th centuries.13th centuries.
 A Dutch game was mentioned on 26 February 1297 in a city calledA Dutch game was mentioned on 26 February 1297 in a city called
Loenen aan de Vecht. Here they played a game with a stick andLoenen aan de Vecht. Here they played a game with a stick and
leather ball. The Scottish game of gowf was mentioned in two 15thleather ball. The Scottish game of gowf was mentioned in two 15th
century laws prohibiting its play.century laws prohibiting its play.
 However,However, the modern game of golf as we understand it todaythe modern game of golf as we understand it today
originated and developed in Scotland: The first golf cluboriginated and developed in Scotland: The first golf club
memberships were formed in Scotland.memberships were formed in Scotland.
 Over time, the modern game spread to England and the rest of theOver time, the modern game spread to England and the rest of the
world.world.

4.  Golf is played in an area ofGolf is played in an area of
land designated a golfland designated a golf
course. A course consists ofcourse. A course consists of
a series of holes, each witha series of holes, each with
a teeing area, fairway,a teeing area, fairway,
rough and other hazards,rough and other hazards,
and the green with the pinand the green with the pin
(flagstick) and cup.(flagstick) and cup.
Different levels of grass areDifferent levels of grass are
varied to increase difficultyvaried to increase difficulty
or to allow for putting in theor to allow for putting in the
case of the green.case of the green. A typicalA typical
golf course consists ofgolf course consists of
eighteen holes, but manyeighteen holes, but many
smaller courses have onlysmaller courses have only
nine.nine.

5. Some rules state that:Some rules state that:
 Every player is entitled and obliged to play the ball from theEvery player is entitled and obliged to play the ball from the
position where it has come to rest after a stroke, unless a ruleposition where it has come to rest after a stroke, unless a rule
allows or demands otherwise.allows or demands otherwise.
 A player must not accept assistance in making a stroke.A player must not accept assistance in making a stroke.
 The condition of the ground or other parts of the course mayThe condition of the ground or other parts of the course may
not be altered to gain an advantage, except in some casesnot be altered to gain an advantage, except in some cases
defined in the rules.defined in the rules.
 A ball may only be replaced by another during play of a hole ifA ball may only be replaced by another during play of a hole if
it is destroyed, lost ,or unplayable ,or at some other timeit is destroyed, lost ,or unplayable ,or at some other time
permitted by the Rules. The player may always substitutepermitted by the Rules. The player may always substitute
balls between the play of two holes.balls between the play of two holes.

6.  BunkersBunkers
A "bunker" is a hazardA "bunker" is a hazard
consisting of a preparedconsisting of a prepared
area from which turf or soilarea from which turf or soil
has been removed andhas been removed and
replaced with sand. If thereplaced with sand. If the
ball is in a bunker, theball is in a bunker, the
player must play the ball asplayer must play the ball as
it lies within the bunkerit lies within the bunker
without incuring anywithout incuring any
penalty strokes.penalty strokes.

7. •Water hazards
A "water hazard" is any sea,
lake, pond, river, creek, ditch or
anything of a similar nature on
the course. If the ball is in a
water hazard, the player may
play the ball as it lies or, under
penalty of one stroke, play a
ball from where he or she
originally hit; or, under penalty
of one stroke, drop a ball at any
point along the ball's flight path
toward the hazard.
•Lateral water hazards
A "lateral water hazard" is a
water hazard so situated that it
is not possible or impracticle to
drop a ball behind the hazard. If
the ball is in a lateral water
hazard, in addition to the options
for a ball in a water hazard, the
player may under penalty of one
stroke, drop a ball within two
club lengths of the point of entry
into the hazard; or, under
penalty of one stroke, drop a
ball on the opposite side of the
hazard no closer to the hole.