USGA Golf Rules
Within the United States and Mexico the rules for the game of golf are laid down by the United States Golf Association and are commonly referred to simply as the USGA golf rules. These rules are based upon those originally drawn up in Scotland more than 250 years ago and adopted by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club for the conduct of the game in Britain in 1899. The following year, these rules were adopted by the United States Golf Association and, although the two operated independently for more than 150 years, they finally got together in 1951, since when they have worked together to agree a common standard for the game. There are currently a total of 34 rules covering such areas as the game itself, clubs and balls, the teeing ground, the putting green, hazards, the order of play and much more.