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Golf, explained plainly.
What the rules say when your ball goes out of bounds, how par and Stableford scoring work, how your handicap is calculated, and how far each club should go. Short answers first, the detail and the rule number after.
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Six topics, one plain answer each
RulesPenalties, drops and relief, in plain words2 pages →
ScoringPar, birdie, formats and keeping score7 pages →
HandicapHow the World Handicap System works5 pages →
ClubsWhat each club is for and how far it goes4 pages →
Gear CareCleaning, regripping and storage2 pages →
FitnessWarm-ups, stretches and strength2 pages →
Free golf calculators
All 5 tools →- HandicapGolf Handicap CalculatorHandicap Index from your rounds, plus Course and Playing Handicap for any tee.
- HandicapCourse Handicap CalculatorIndex to Course and Playing Handicap for any tee, with the holes you get strokes on.
- HandicapScramble Handicap CalculatorTeam handicap for 2, 3 and 4-person scrambles with the USGA allowances.
- ClubsGolf Club Distance ChartTour carry averages, and your own estimated yardages from one club.
- ClubsDriver Distance and Swing Speed CalculatorSwing speed to driver carry, or carry to swing speed, from Trackman data.
Latest guides
Formats & Scoring · October 29, 2026Golf Leaderboard Symbols: What E, Thru, F, T and WD MeanWhat E (even par), Thru, F, T, WD, DQ and MC mean on a golf leaderboard, with a full table and an example of reading a live leaderboard line.
Formats & Scoring · October 29, 2026Why Do Golfers Say Fore? What It Means and What to DoGolfers shout fore to warn people a ball may hit them, as Rule 1.2a expects. When to shout it, what to do when you hear it, and where the word comes from.
Formats & Scoring · October 29, 2026Draw vs Fade in Golf: What Each Shot Is and What Causes ItA draw curves right to left and a fade left to right for a right-hander. Face-to-path explained with Trackman, the hook and slice, and which shape suits you.
Formats & Scoring · October 29, 2026What Is a Scramble in Golf? How It Works, Variations and HandicapsIn a scramble every player tees off, the team picks the best shot and all play from there. Steps, Texas and Florida variations, handicaps and best ball.
Formats & Scoring · October 29, 2026What Is a Mulligan in Golf? The Do-Over ExplainedA mulligan is a free re-hit of a bad shot, a casual custom that is not in the Rules. How mulligans work, what Rule 18.1 says instead and the effect on handicaps.
Golf Fitness · October 29, 2026Golf Workout at Home: 20 Minutes With a Resistance BandA twice-a-week home plan for golfers: squats, bridges, band rows, anti-rotation presses and rotations, with sets, reps and how to progress.
How we check
- 1
The rule, by number
Rules answers cite the Rules of Golf (USGA and The R&A) by rule number, so you can check the wording yourself.
- 2
Handicaps by the book
The handicap pages and calculator follow the USGA Rules of Handicapping for the World Handicap System.
- 3
Numbers with a source
Distances, lofts and prices link to the launch-monitor data, manufacturer page or study they come from.
Plain Par is independent and not affiliated with the USGA or The R&A. More about us.