Rules
The official rules of footballgolf are governed by the World Footballgolf Association (Wfga). The idea behind this is to have consistency for rules in footballgolf, so that players all over the World can play with the same laws.
Rule 1. The Game
1-1. General
The game of Footballgolf consists of kicking a ball from a teeing ground (a marked area designated for the first kick of a hole), and once the ball comes to rest, kicking it again. This process is repeated until the ball is in the hole.
1-2. Exerting Influence on Ball
A player must not take any action to influence the position or the movement of a ball except in accordance with the Rules.
1-4. Points Not Covered by Rules
If any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision should be made by the Committee/Referee.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 1-2: Committee decides on disqualification of competitors concerned.
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Rule 2. Match Play
The Rules of Match Play is not covered in this section.
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Rule 3. Kick Play
3-1. General; Winner
A stroke play competition consists of competitors completing each hole of a stipulated round or rounds and, for each round, returning a score card on which there is a gross score for each hole. Each competitor is playing against every other competitor in the competition. The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the fewest strokes is the winner. If the Committee decided that a play-off of any type wasn't feasible to determine a winner, then matching score-cards is the next-best recommended method of settling a deadlock. How is this accomplished? They could determine the winner on the basis of the best score for the final round. If the tying players have the same score for the last and final round, they check the last nine holes, then the last six holes, then the last three holes and finally the 18th hole.
3-2. Failure to Hole Out
If a competitor fails to hole out at any hole and does not correct his mistake before he makes a stroke on the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the round, before he leaves the green, he is disqualified.
3-4. Refusal to Comply with a Rule
If a competitor refuses to comply with a Rule affecting the rights of another competitor, he is disqualified.
3-5. General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in Kick play is two kicks except when otherwise provided.
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Rule 4. Equipment
4-1. Footwear
The player can choose optional pair of footwear except shoes that may cause damage to the course. Decision should be made by the Committee.
4-2. Tees
Tees are allowed on certain courses. Decision should be made by the Committee before tournament starts.
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Rule 5. The Ball
5-1. General
The ball must be a football of size 5 with a round shape.
5-3. Ball Unfit for Play
A ball is unfit for play if it is cracked or out of shape. A ball is NOT unfit for play if its surface has a minor scratch or is scraped or its paint is damaged or discoloured. Ball that is unfit for play must be exchanged.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Two penalties.
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Rule 6. The Player
6-1. Rules
It is the player's responsibility to know the rules.
6-3.Time of Starting and Groups
The player must start at the time established by the Committee. In Kick play, the competitor must remain throughout the round in the group/pairings arranged by the Committee, unless the Committee authorises or ratifies a change.
6-5. Ball
The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on his ball.
6-6. Scoring in Kick Play
After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.
After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Disqualification.
No alteration may be made on a score card after the competitor has returned it to the Committee.
The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned stands.
The Committee is responsible for the addition of scores recorded on the score card.
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Rule 7. Practice
7-1. Before or Between Rounds
On any day of a competition, a player may practise on the competition course before or after a round if the Committee allows it.
7-2. During Round
A player must not make a practice kick during play of a hole.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 7-2:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 8. Advice
8-1. Advice
During a stipulated round, a player can give advice to anyone in the competition playing on the course or ask for advice from anyone in the same group/pairing.
A player must not give wrong information to his opponent.
NO PENALTIES FOR BREACH OF RULE 8-1:
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Rule 9. Information as to Strokes Taken
9-1. General
The number of strokes a player has taken includes any penalty strokes incurred. A competitor who has incurred a penalty should inform his marker as soon as practicable.
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Rule 10. Order of Play
The competitor with the lowest score at a hole takes the honour at the next teeing ground.The competitor with the second lowest score plays next and so on. If two or more competitors have the same score at a hole, they play from the next teeing ground in the same order as at the previous teeing ground.
After the competitors have started play of the hole, the ball farthest from the hole is played first.
If the ball is near the hole, the player can, in consultation with the other players, choose to hole out.
If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there is no penalty.
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Rule 11. Teeing Ground
11-1 Teeing
When a player is kicking a ball into play from the teeing ground, it must be played from within the teeing ground and from the surface of the ground or from a conforming tee in or on the surface of the ground. A player may stand outside the teeing ground to play a ball within it.
11-2.Tee-Markers
Tee-markers are deemed to be fixed. Player is not allowed to move any teemarker.
11-3. Ball Falling off Tee
If a ball, when not in play, falls off a tee or is knocked off by the player in addressing it, it may be re-teed, without penalty.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 11-1 & 11-2:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 12. Searching for and Identifying Ball
12-1. Searching for Ball; Seeing Ball
In searching for his ball anywhere on the course, the player may touch or bend long grass, rushes, bushes, whins, heather or the like, but only to the extent necessary to find and identify it, provided that this does not improve the lie of the ball or his line of play. It is not allowed to break anything on the course. There is no penalty for causing the ball to move, but the ball should be replaced.
12-2. Identifying Ball
The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on his ball. If a player has reason to believe a ball at rest is his and it is necessary to lift the ball in order to identify it, he may lift the ball, without penalty, in order to do so. Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention to his opponents.
If the player fails to comply with all or any part of this procedure, or he lifts his ball in order to identify it when not necessary to do so, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.
If the lifted ball is the player’s ball, he must replace it. If he fails to do so, he incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 12-2, but there is no additional penalty under this Rule.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 12-2:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 13. Ball Played as It Lies
13-1. General
The ball must be played at rest and as it lies, except as otherwise provided in the Rules:
Ball in Water Hazard - see Rule 13-4
Ball at rest moved – see Rule 18
13-2. Improving Lie
A player must not improve the position or lie of his ball, his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or the area in which he is to drop or place a ball. moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed. (Exception: Ball in hazard)
13-3. Building Stance
A player is entitled to place his feet firmly in taking his stance for the kick without breaking branches or the like.
13-4. Ball in Water Hazard
A player must not play a ball from a Water Hazard. (Relief for ball in water hazard – see Rule 26)
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 14. Kicking the ball
14-1. Ball to be Fairly Struck At
The ball must be fairly struck at with the foot.
14-2. Assistance
In making a kick, a player must not accept physical assistance.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 14-1 or 14-2:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 15. Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball
15-1 General
A player must finnish the round with the ball played from the first teeing ground, unless the ball is lost or damaged and unfit for play (see Rule 5-3) it can then be substituted.
15-3 Wrong ball
If a competitor makes a kicks at a wrong ball, he incurs a penalty of two kicks. Strokes made by a competitor with a wrong ball do not count in his score. If the wrong ball belongs to another competitor, its owner must place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was first played.
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Rule 16. The Green
16-1. Lifting and cleaning the ball
A ball on the putting green may be lifted and, if desired, cleaned. The position of the ball must be marked before it is lifted and the ball must be replaced (see Rule 20-1).
16-2. Ball Overhanging Hole
When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be at rest. If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last kick and must add a penalty kick to his score for the hole; otherwise, there is no penalty under this Rule.
16-3. Making a kick while another ball in motion
The player must not make a kick while another ball is in motion after a kick from the putting green, except that if a player does so, there is no penalty if it was his turn to play. (Lifting ball assisting or interfering with play while another ball in motion – see Rule 22)
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Rule 17. The Flagstick
17-1. Flagstick Attended, Removed or Held Up
Before making a stroke from anywhere on the course, the player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held up to indicate the position of the hole.
17-2. Unauthorised Attendance
If an competitor without the player’s authority or prior knowledge, attends, removes or holds up the flagstick during the stroke or while the ball is in motion, and the act might influence the movement of the ball, the opponent or fellow-competitor incurs the applicable penalty.
17-4. Ball Resting Against Flagstick
When a player’s ball rests against the flagstick in the hole and the ball is not holed, the player or another person authorised by him may gently move or remove the flagstick, and if the ball falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke; otherwise, the ball, if moved, must be placed on the lip of the hole, without penalty.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 17-2:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 18. Ball at Rest Moved
18-1. By Outside Agency
If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. Note: It is a question of fact whether a ball has been moved by an outside agency. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that an outside agency has moved the ball. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must play the ball as it lies. (Player’s ball at rest moved by another ball – see Rule 18-5)
18-2. By Player or Equipment
The player incurs a penalty of one kick. If the ball is moved (original place has been altered ) it must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the kick or the movement of the foot for the kick and the kick is made.
Under the Rules there is no penalty if a player accidentally causes his ball to move in the following circumstances:
• In searching for a ball
• In lifting a ball under a Rule – Rule 20-1
• In removing a loose impediment on the green – Rule 23-1
• In removing movable obstructions – Rule 24-1
18-4. By Fellow-Competitor or Equipment
If a fellow-competitor or his equipment moves the player’s ball, touches it or causes it to move, there is no penalty. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced. (Playing a wrong ball – see Rule 15-3)
18-5. By Another Ball
If a ball in play and at rest is moved by another ball in motion after a kick, the ball must be replaced. No penalty.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 19. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped
19-1. By Outside Agency
If a player’s ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by any outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, except if the referee or the Committee determines that a player’s ball has been purposely deflected or stopped by an outside agency, Rule 1-4 applies to the player. If the outside agency is a competitor, Rule 1-2 applies to the competitor.
19-2. By Player or his Equipment
If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by himself or his equipment (ball or ballmarkers are not counted as equipment), the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be played as it lies.
19-4. By Opponent or Equipment
See Rule 19-1 regarding ball deflected by outside agency.
19-5. By Another Ball
Ball At Rest:
If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by a ball in play and at rest, the player must play his ball as it lies. there is no penalty.
Ball In Motion:
If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by another ball in motion after a stroke, the player must play his ball as it lies. There is no penalty.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 20. Lifting, Marking and Placing
20-1. Lifting and Marking
A ball to be lifted under the Rules may be lifted by the player or another person authorised by the player. In any such case, the player is responsible for any breach of the Rules.
The position of the ball must be marked before it is lifted under a Rule that requires it to be replaced. If it is not marked, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced. If it is not replaced, the player incurs the general penalty for breach of this Rule but there is no additional penalty under Rule 20-1.
Note: The position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a coin or other object immediately behind the ball.
20-3. Placing
A ball to be placed under the Rules must be placed by the player. It must placed on the spot from which it was lifted. In front of the ball-marker.
Ball Fails to Come to Rest on Spot If a ball when placed fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 20-1 & 20-3
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 21. Cleaning Ball
A ball on the green may be cleaned when lifted under Rule 16-1. Elsewhere, a ball in play may NOT be cleaned when lifted except when it has been lifted:
a. To determine if it is unfit for play (Rule 5-3)
b. For identification (Rule 12-2), in which case it may be cleaned only to the extent necessary for identification
c. Because it is assisting or interfering with play (Rule 22)
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Rule 22. Ball Assisting or Interfering with Play
22-1. Ball Assisting Play
Except when a ball is in motion, if a player considers that a ball might assist any other player, he may Lift the ball if it is his ball. A ball lifted under this Rule must be marked and replaced (see Rule 20-3). The ball must NOT be cleaned, unless it lies on the green (see Rule 21). In kick play, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift the ball.
In kick play, if the Committee determines that competitors have agreed not to lift a ball that might assist any competitor, they are disqualified.
22-2. Ball Interfering with Play
Except when a ball is in motion, if a player considers that another ball might interfere with his play, he may have it lifted and marked. A ball lifted under this Rule must be replaced (see Rule 20-3).The ball must not be cleaned, unless it lies on the green (see Rule 21). In kickplay, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift the ball.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 23. Loose Impediments
23-1. Relief
When the ball lie in or touch any loose impediment (such as loose branches and the like), the impediment may be removed without penalty. If the removal of a loose impediment by the player causes the ball to move, Rule 18-2 applies.
On the green, if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of the player removing a loose impediment, the ball or ballmarker must be replaced.There is no penalty.
When a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed.
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Rule 24. Obstructions
24-1 Movable Obstructions
A player may take relief, without penalty, from a movable obstruction. Obstruction may be moved temporary and then be replaced.
24-2. Immovable Obstruction
A player may take relief, without penalty. Place the ball Within 3 meters of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.
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Rule 25. Abnormal Ground Conditions
The Committee may make a Local Rule stating the abnormal ground condition. Place the ball Within 3 meters of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.
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Rule 26. Ball found in Water Hazard
If the ball is found in a water hazard, place and play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played with one kick penalty. When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball. Ball is not allowed to be played within the Water Hazard if the ball is fully in the hazard.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 26
Two kicks penalty.
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Rule 27. Ball lost or Out of bounds
If a ball is lost as a result of not being found or identified as his by the player within five minutes after the search have begun, the player must play a new ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played. If a ball is out of bounds, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played.
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Rule 28. Ball Unplayable
The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard (See Rule 26). The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he has two options for proceeding after taking a 1-kick penalty; take the ball within 3 meters of and not nearer the hole; or return to the spot of the previous kick and play the ball again.