Learn about common golf rule mistakes and how to avoid them while playing at Burlingame. Our guide helps you navigate our unique course features while staying within the rules.
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Common Golf Rule Mistakes & How to Avoid Them on Burlingame’s Course

Whether you’re new to golf or have been playing for years, understanding the rules can sometimes feel like navigating a sand trap blindfolded. At Burlingame, we’ve seen players of all levels make common mistakes that can add unwanted strokes to their scorecard. Our compassionate team has put together this guide to help you avoid these pitfalls and enjoy a smoother, more confident round on our distinctive Western North Carolina course.

Teeing Ground Errors

The journey of every hole begins on the teeing ground, where several rule mistakes commonly occur.

One frequent error is teeing up in front of the markers. Remember, you must place your ball between the tee markers or up to two club-lengths behind them—never in front. On Burlingame’s elevated tee boxes, particularly on holes 5 and 12, players sometimes step forward for a better view of the fairway, inadvertently placing their ball incorrectly.

Another mistake is fixing divots or pressing down turf on the teeing ground before your shot. While this isn’t allowed on other parts of the course, you actually can repair the teeing area. This is especially helpful on our par-3 tee boxes that see heavy use.

Fairway and Rough Challenges

Unplayable Lies

Burlingame’s natural setting means you might find your ball in some challenging spots. Players often don’t realize they have options with unplayable lies. You can take relief with a one-stroke penalty by:

Going back to where you last hit from, dropping within two club-lengths of your ball (no closer to the hole), or dropping back on a line keeping the hole and your ball’s position in line. This is particularly useful on our 7th hole, where the rough can be especially challenging after rainfall.

Loose Impediments vs. Obstructions

Our course features natural elements like pinecones, leaves, and fallen branches (loose impediments) that you can move without penalty. However, players sometimes confuse these with immovable obstructions. Those white stakes marking out-of-bounds? They can’t be moved. The blue stakes marking water hazards? Same rule applies.

During autumn, Burlingame’s fairways can be covered with fallen leaves. Remember, you can move these without penalty, but if your ball moves while doing so, you’ll incur a one-stroke penalty and must replace it.

Bunker Blunders

The sand traps at Burlingame present their own set of challenges, especially after rainstorms when water can collect in certain bunkers.

A common mistake is grounding your club in the sand before your stroke. This means letting your club touch the sand during your setup or practice swing. The rules are clear: your club shouldn’t touch the sand until your actual swing to hit the ball.

After heavy rain, temporary water in bunkers is considered casual water. You can take free relief within the bunker without penalty, or for a one-stroke penalty, you can drop outside the bunker keeping the point where your ball lay between you and the hole.

Green Missteps

Burlingame’s greens require careful attention to both etiquette and rules.

Many players mistakenly repair spike marks on their putting line. While you can fix ball marks, you cannot repair spike marks, footprints, or other damage caused by shoes. Our 3rd and 16th greens often show traffic patterns that might affect your putt, but repairing these marks isn’t allowed under the rules.

Another common error occurs when marking your ball. Always place your marker behind or to the side of your ball before lifting it. If you need to move your marker for another player’s putt, use a clubhead to measure the distance and ensure proper replacement.

Water Hazard Confusion

Burlingame’s stream crossings and ponds come into play on several holes, particularly on the back nine.

Players often don’t recognize the difference between yellow stakes (regular water hazards) and red stakes (lateral water hazards). For yellow-staked hazards, you must either play the ball as it lies, take a one-stroke penalty and play from where you last hit, or drop behind the hazard keeping the point where your ball crossed the hazard between you and the hole.

For red-staked lateral hazards, like along the right side of our signature 14th hole, you have additional options: dropping within two club-lengths of where the ball crossed the hazard margin or dropping on the opposite side of the hazard equidistant from the hole.

Ready Golf and Pace of Play

While not strictly a rules violation, slow play affects everyone’s enjoyment. Burlingame encourages “ready golf”—playing when you’re ready as long as it’s safe to do so—rather than strictly adhering to the “farthest from the hole plays first” convention.

Keep pace with the group ahead of you, not just ahead of the group behind you. Our course marshals are here to help, not to rush you unnecessarily.

Playing by the Rules at Burlingame

We believe golf is more enjoyable when played within the spirit and letter of the rules. Our professional staff is always available to clarify any rules questions before, during, or after your round.

Remember, knowing the rules isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about playing the game as it was intended to be played, with integrity and respect for the course and your fellow players.

Join Us for a Rules Clinic

Ready to deepen your understanding of golf rules while applying them to our unique course? Join us for our monthly rules clinic, held every first Saturday at 9 AM. Our compassionate golf professionals will walk you through common scenarios specific to Burlingame’s layout. During the clinic, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a fun golf rules quiz for beginners, designed to test your knowledge and reinforce your learning. Whether you’re a novice or just looking to brush up on your skills, this session is perfect for golfers of all levels. Don’t miss the chance to enhance your game and ensure you’re ready for your next round!

Call us at 828.682.9675 to reserve your spot or speak with our pro shop staff during your next visit. We’re here to help you play your best game while honoring the traditions that make golf special.