More people are playing golf now than ever before. I see more families playing together, more women taking up the game and the under-30 crowd. I’m getting asked about the rules of the game more than ever too. That’s a good thing. I’d like to go over a one rule in this week’s column.

I’d like to talk about the out of bounds rule. Out of bounds is when your ball comes to rest outside the boundary edge of the course. On all golf courses that is marked by white stakes or lines. 

If your ball is out of bounds, you must go back to the spot where you hit the previous ball with a one-shot penalty added to your score. To save time you may hit a provisional ball if you’re not sure the original ball went out. 

If then you go to where your original ball was, and it stayed in bounds just pick up the provisional ball and keep playing your original ball. If your original ball was out of bounds you now would continue with the provisional ball with a one-shot penalty.  

Next week I will discuss the penalty areas that are defined by red and yellow stakes and lines.

By the time you read this article, the best players in the world will be in Scotland playing in the British Open.  I’m really hoping Rory McIlroy can end all the speculation about him winning another major tournament.  I’m probably going to put a few bucks on him as well as Tyrell Hatton and Cameron Young.  

This tournament seems to always bring out the best in some of the older guys. There are two that I think are playing very well right now in Paddy Harrington (4 to 1 for top 30) and Ernie Els (9 to 1 for top 30. They both might contend. Enjoy the tournament.