The Weirdest Golf Rules You Probably Didn’t Know

Golf is a sport built on tradition, etiquette, and a rulebook thicker than the Encyclopedia Britannica. While most golfers are familiar with the basics—penalty strokes for hitting out of bounds, replacing a ball on the green if it moves—there are some truly bizarre rules that might leave you scratching your head. Here are some of the weirdest golf rules you've most likely never heard of.

1. If Your Ball Lands on an Animal, You’re in Luck

Picture this: You hit a perfect drive down the fairway, only for your ball to come to rest on the back of a sunbathing alligator (or a squirrel, or a bird). According to the USGA Rules of Golf, you’re entitled to free relief from an "outside influence," meaning you can drop your ball without penalty at the nearest safe spot. Good luck convincing the alligator to move, though.

2. The Air Rule: Whiffing Can Count as a Stroke (Sometimes)

You step up to the tee, take a mighty swing... and completely miss the ball. Bad news: That still counts as a stroke. However, if you were making a practice swing and accidentally hit the ball, it doesn’t count. Intent is everything in golf—unless your buddies say otherwise.

3. The Cactus Rule: Protection Allowed, But Not Too Much

Playing desert golf? If your ball lands near a prickly cactus, you can protect yourself from injury using a towel or a jacket before making your shot. However, you can’t physically bend or break the cactus itself to make your swing easier. So, either suit up in armor or take an unplayable lie.

4. If Your Ball Moves Because of the Wind, Too Bad

Imagine lining up a putt, reading the break, and just as you step back—your ball rolls away due to the wind. Bad luck! Unless you had already addressed the ball (set up for your stroke), you must play it from its new position. If you had addressed the ball, though, you’re stuck with a penalty and must replace it where it was.

5. The Club-Breaking Rule: Play It as It Lies... Even If It’s Broken

If your club breaks mid-round (but not as a result of temper issues), you can still use it. Yep, even if it’s dangling by a thread, you’re allowed to continue playing with it. However, you can’t replace it unless it was broken under normal conditions and not due to abuse. So, throwing your driver after a bad shot? That’s a self-inflicted problem.

6. The Ball in the Pocket Rule

If you accidentally put a ball in your pocket and forget about it, then later realize it was your actual ball in play, you’ll get a one-stroke penalty. So, before you start rummaging for a spare ball, double-check that you’re not unintentionally picking up your own.

7. The Lost Ball in a Pile of Leaves Rule

If you hit a shot into a thick pile of leaves and can’t find it within three minutes, the ball is deemed lost, even if everyone knows it’s in there somewhere. That means heading back to replay the shot with a penalty stroke. Moral of the story? Avoid autumn golf in leaf-heavy areas.

8. The “Ball Stuck in a Tree” Dilemma

If your ball gets lodged in a tree, you must identify it before taking relief. If you can’t prove it’s yours, it’s considered lost. Some golfers have even climbed trees or used binoculars to confirm their ball before making a drop. If you do manage to identify it, you can take an unplayable lie and drop it with a penalty—or, if you’re feeling brave, try to hit it out of the tree!

9. The Accidental Double Hit Rule

If you swing and accidentally hit the ball twice in one motion, don’t panic—it’s no longer a penalty. Previously, it counted as two strokes, but the rules changed in 2019 to let it slide as one. So, if you unintentionally pull off a “hockey-style” double hit, it’s just part of the game.

10. The “Movable Object” Rule

On some courses, large objects like signs, benches, or even temporary grandstands are considered "movable obstructions." If they interfere with your swing, you get free relief. But if an object is deemed "immovable," you have to play around it—even if that means taking a wild, creative shot.

Golf has some of the strangest, most unexpected rules in sports, but they all serve a purpose—no matter how bizarre they might seem. The next time you’re out on the course and find yourself in an odd situation, you might just have a rule to back you up!

weirdest golf rules