Grounding the Club

The act of allowing the golf club to make contact with the ground behind the ball at address, prohibited in hazards but permitted in most other course areas. Grounding the club helps golfers feel the lie, assess ground conditions, and establish proper setup position for consistent ball-striking. Understanding when grounding is permitted versus prohibited is crucial for rules compliance and avoiding penalty strokes. In bunkers and penalty areas, grounding the club results in penalty strokes, making rules knowledge essential. Proper grounding technique helps golfers establish consistent setup routines and improve ball-striking reliability.