Golf is a game played in an open field or ‘teeing ground’ in which a ball is struck with a club. The object is to get your ball from the tee (the starting point of any hole) to the green and ultimately into the hole in as few shots as possible.

There are basically two forms of play, one which is decided by holes won and lost (match play) and the other which is decided by the total number of strokes taken to complete the round (stroke play). Golf is played by both men and women.

Rules of the Game:
• The ball must be hit using standard clubs from the start of each hole to the green and ultimately into the hole, which is marked by a flag.
• Players strike the ball in turn with the furthest away from the hole going first. At the start of a new hole whoever took the least shots on the preceding hole shall go first.
• The penalty for a lost ball is one stroke and this includes balls struck out of bounds (off that particular hole) or into water hazards. You have five minutes to search for your ball and the penalty is both stroke (one shot) if the ball is lost and additionally distance if it goes out of bounds or into the water.
• Players can only use up to 14 clubs.
• Players cannot seek advice from anyone other than their partner or caddy.
• The ball should be played as it is found – you must not move, break or bend anything fixed or growing, other than to assume your normal stance, to improve the lie of the ball, your line of site or your area of swing.
• On the putting green a player can mark, lift and clean his ball so long as it is replaced exactly where it was.

Players and Equipment:
Golf is usually played individually, with a professional tournament generally consisting of around 80-160 players playing in groups of three or four, competing against each other. There are also team tournaments.
Players are only allowed to carry and use 14 clubs during any one round and in addition to the clubs and ball the players normally wear a glove on their left hand (for right-handed players) and also use tees, small pegs, to elevate the ball for the first shot on any given hole.

Winning the Game:
Most pro events, use the stroke play system. Events are held over four days and the winner is the player who completes 72 holes in the fewest number of shots (also called strokes).

Golf in Uganda:
Uganda Golf Union is the body mandated to promote the sport of pool in Uganda and is registered with National Council of Sports and internationally affiliated to the International Golf Federation in Switzerland.

PRESIDENT:
Moses Matsiko

SECRETARY GENERAL:
Anthony Agaba

ADDRESS:
Uganda Golf Club
Plot 30-32 Yusuf Lule Road
Kampala, Uganda

E: executive@ugandagolfunion.org
W: www.ugandagolfunion.org