In a competition, can you ask a playing partner what club they hit? Can your caddie help line you up? Can you tell an opponent how a putt breaks? The rules on advice and caddies catch out many golfers, especially in their first competitions. Here's a plain-English guide to what's allowed.
This is a summary. For full details, see the official Rules of Golf.
What is advice?
Advice is any comment or action intended to influence a player in:
- Choosing a club.
- Making a stroke.
- Deciding how to play during a hole or round.
Who can you get advice from?
| Person | Advice allowed? |
|---|---|
| Your caddie | Yes |
| Your partner (in team formats) and their caddie | Yes |
| Other players in the competition | No |
| Spectators | No |
| A coach during the round | No, unless a local rule allows it in certain team events |
Public information is not advice
You may freely share or ask about:
- Rules.
- Distances, for example the distance to the green from a sprinkler head.
- The position of hazards, the flagstick or other features.
So you can ask "how far is it to the front of the green?" but not "what club did you hit?"
Looking at other players' clubs
You may look at another player's club or bag to see what they used, but you may not touch or move their equipment to find out, and you may not ask them.
What caddies can do
A caddie may:
- Carry and look after your clubs.
- Give you advice and information.
- Help you read greens and judge distances.
- Search for your ball.
- Mark, lift and replace your ball on the putting green (with restrictions on replacing it elsewhere).
- Rake bunkers and repair damage.
Read our golf caddie guide.
What caddies can't do
- Stand behind you on or close to your line of play when you begin taking your stance and until you make the stroke. Your caddie may help you line up but must move away before you begin your stance.
- Make strokes for you.
- Deliberately stand to give you shelter from the elements during a stroke.
- Take certain actions that only the player may decide, such as declaring a ball unplayable.
Alignment
Nobody may place an object on the ground to help you aim. Read conforming golf equipment and alignment stick drills.
Penalties
| Format | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Stroke play | Two strokes |
| Match play | Loss of the hole |
Team formats
In team formats, partners may share advice freely. Read golf formats and games explained and match play golf.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask my playing partner what club they hit?
Not in a competition, unless they're your partner in a team format.
Can I ask how far it is to the green?
Yes. Distances are public information, not advice.
Can my caddie help me line up?
Yes, but they must move away from your line before you begin taking your stance.
Can a parent give advice in junior golf?
Usually not, if they aren't the player's caddie. Many junior events don't allow parents to caddie. Read junior golf competitions.
The bottom line
In competitions, keep advice within your team: your caddie and partner. Distances, rules and hazard positions are public information. Caddies can help with reads and choices but must step away from your line before you take your stance. For more rules, read golf rules every golfer should know.