We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of a round, facing a tough shot or an unfamiliar situation, and you’re tempted to take a shortcut or bend a rule to keep things moving.

In a casual round, it might not seem like a big deal. But if you’re posting scores for handicap purposes or competing in tournaments, understanding the Rules of Golf matters. Small misunderstandings can lead to penalties, incorrect scores and even disqualification in certain circumstances.

Here are five common golf rules misconceptions every golfer should know:

1. Seeking Advice

It might seem harmless to ask your playing partner which club they would hit or how they would approach a difficult shot. However, the Rules of Golf prohibit players from giving or asking for advice during a round, except where the rules specifically allow it.

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) – Michael Brennan won the Baycurrent Classic on Sunday for his second victory of the season and third on the PGA Tour, parring the final six holes for a 3-under 68 and a one-stroke margin over Jacob Bridgeman and Keith Mitchell.

“Unbelievable. It was an unbelievable week,” Brennan said. “Japan was spectacular. The fans were amazing this week. It was so awesome to have my brother fly out here and be here for the weekend.”

Tied for the third-round lead with Bridgeman and Zach Bauchou in the FedExCup Fall event, Brennan rebounded from a bogey on the 10th with birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 before the winning par run at hilly Yokohama Country Club.

WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Chris Camacho announced today general admission tickets are now on sale for the 92nd edition of “The People’s Open,” scheduled for Feb. 8-14, 2027, at TPC Scottsdale.

General admission ticket pricing once again has stayed the same as the previous year.  Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday tickets are $75 (plus fees), while Friday and Saturday tickets are $125 (plus fees). Thanks to Arizona Ford Dealers, all fans will receive free admission on Monday (Feb. 8) and Tuesday (Feb. 9) as part of Ford Free Days.

PHOENIX (Feb. 26, 2026) – The 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass is shaping up to bring the world’s best athletes back to the Phoenix area. On March 26-29, Whirlwind Golf Club will host several of the LPGA Tour’s top 100 athletes, including major champions, Olympic medalists and local favorites.  

Early commitments include Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, who has been the top player in the world since August 2025; Rolex Rankings No. 2 Nelly Korda, 2020 Olympics gold medalist and winner of the LPGA Tour’s Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions; and Rolex Rankings No. 3 Charley Hull, who won the season-opening PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour. The Phoenix area will be well-represented by life-long resident Sarah Schmelzel, who played on the U.S. Team at the 2024 Solheim Cup, along with Arizona State University alumnae Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Anna Nordqvist and Linnea Strom.   

Last year’s Ford Championship winner Hyo Joo Kim is expected to return to Whirlwind in search of a successful title defense, along with 2025 runner-up Lilia Vu. They will be joined by 2024 gold medalist and LPGA Hall of Fame member Lydia Ko, as well as major champions Celine Boutier, Allisen Corpuz, Brooke Henderson, Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Jennifer Kupcho, Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, Miyu Yamashita and Ruoning Yin. Entries will officially close on March 18.  

Tickets for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. General admission daily tickets start at $49, with weekly passes starting at $129. Hospitality tickets for the Trophy Club are $249 for daily admission and $899 for weekly access. Overlooking the action on the 16th green, the Trophy Club delivers unbeatable views paired with daily DJs every day, great food inspired by the iconic Trophy Bar restaurant, an open bar that keeps the vibe going all tournament long and upgraded restrooms, as well as General Parking access. Whether coming for a single day or the full week, the Trophy Club is the ticket to non-stop fun and unforgettable moments on course. 

Juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary general admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit FordChampionship.com. 

On behalf of The Thunderbirds, a Founding Partner of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, the LPGA is proud to invite all active duty, reserve, retired and veteran U.S. military personnel, along with active U.S. law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs to attend the week’s event. Eligible guests and one t are invited to enjoy the championship from The Thunderbirds Military Outpost, a dedicated hospitality space available Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. Located near the 18th green, the Outpost offers complimentary snacks and beverages in a relaxed and comfortable setting while taking in the world-class LPGA Tour competition. 

Additionally, volunteer opportunities are available for fans who want to participate in the week’s festivities. Group hospitality and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available by contacting Emily Podzielinski at emily.podzielinski@lpga.com. 

For more information on the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, visit FordChampionship.com. Media who wish to attend and cover the competition should apply for credentials at www.lpgamediacredentials.com. 

Early field commitments include Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, who has been the top player in the world since August 2025, and 2024 Ford Championship winner Nelly Korda. 2025 champion Hyo Joo Kim is expected to return to Whirlwind Golf Club in search of a successful title defense. Other notable names in the preliminary field for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are major champions Celine Boutier, Allisen Corpuz, Brooke Henderson, Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Lydia Ko, Jennifer Kupcho, Anna Nordqivst, Mao Saigo, Lilia Vu, Miyu Yamashita and Ruoning Yin.

Tickets for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. General admission daily tickets start at $49, with weekly passes starting at $129. Hospitality tickets for the Trophy Club are $249 for daily admission and $899 for weekly access. Overlooking the action on the 16th green, the Trophy Club delivers unbeatable views paired with daily DJs every day, great food inspired by the iconic Trophy Bar restaurant, an open bar that keeps the vibe going all tournament long and upgraded restrooms, as well as General Parking access. Whether coming for a single day or the full week, the Trophy Club is the ticket to non-stop fun and unforgettable moments on course. 

Juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary general admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit FordChampionship.com.

On behalf of The Thunderbirds, a Founding Partner of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, the LPGA is proud to invite all active duty, reserve, retired and veteran U.S. military personnel, along with active U.S. law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs to attend the week’s event. Eligible guests and one accompanying guest are invited to enjoy the championship from The Thunderbirds Military Outpost, a dedicated hospitality space available Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. Located near the 18th green, the Outpost offers complimentary snacks and beverages in a relaxed and comfortable setting while taking in the world-class LPGA Tour competition. 

Click here for more information and to redeem these tickets.

Additionally, volunteer opportunities are available for fans who want to participate in the week’s festivities. Group hospitality and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available by contacting Emily Podzielinski at emily.podzielinski@lpga.com.

For more information on the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, visit FordChampionship.com.

Volunteer registration is now open for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass. Phoenix-area sports fans are encouraged to join the official tournament team and experience the excitement of professional golf from an up-close perspective.  

More than 500 volunteers will be needed to help deliver a world-class LPGA Tour event when the championship returns to Whirlwind Golf Club on March 26-29, 2026. Whether greeting spectators, supporting operations or walking inside the ropes, volunteering is a rewarding way to give back, meet new people and be part of something truly special. Full details and registration for the volunteer program are available at www.fordchampionship.com. 

To further support the volunteer program, the Tempe Diablos have joined the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass family as a Founding Partner. The Diablos’ mission is to enhance the community by providing leadership and resources that create worthwhile opportunities, especially for area youth. The commitment of the Diablos is to focus their efforts on projects that make a significant contribution to the community while allowing for enjoyable experiences for the members.  

“The Tempe Diablos are proud to be a Founding Partner of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass," said Todd Pearson, LPGA Committee Chair for the Tempe Diablos. "Both the LPGA and the Tempe Diablos are aligned in their missions to give back to charities throughout the Valley, and this new partnership will further enhance our abilities to impact many lives for years to come.” 

In partnership with the tournament, the Diablos will also host its annual “Ignite the Night”

 fundraiser on Saturday, March 28, at Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass, just steps from Whirlwind Golf Club. Fans will be able to support the world’s best golfers during the day and their local community in the evening.  

“Our volunteers make this championship possible and welcoming more than 500 individuals into our tournament family is one of the most rewarding parts of this event,” said Tournament Director Emily Podzielinski. “The Tempe Diablos share that deep commitment to service, and their investment in our community strengthens the LPGA’s mission to inspire, transform and advance opportunities for girls and women. Together with all our partners, we’re excited to elevate next year’s championship.” Tickets for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. General admission daily tickets start at $49, with weekly passes starting at $129. Hospitality tickets for the Trophy Club are $249 for daily admission and $899 for weekly access. Overlooking the action on the 16th green, the Trophy Club delivers unbeatable views paired with daily DJs every day, great food inspired by the iconic Trophy Bar restaurant, an open bar that keeps the vibe going all tournament long and upgraded restrooms, as well as General Parking access. Whether coming for a single day or the full week, the Trophy Club is the ticket to non-stop fun and unforgettable moments on course. 

Juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit FordChampionship.com .

The LPGA is also pleased to offer both current and former members of the U.S. Military and certain guests complimentary grounds tickets regardless of sell-out. These tickets will be available in the coming months. 

Group hospitality and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available by contacting Emily Podzielinski at emily.podzielinski@lpga.com. 

This will be the third edition of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, which joined the LPGA Tour calendar in 2024. In 2025, Korean superstar Hyo Joo Kim emerged victorious in a playoff with fellow major champions Lilia Vu. The 2024 playing saw American star Nelly Korda earn the third title of her season, becoming the first player since 2016 to win in three consecutive starts on the LPGA Tour and the first American to do so since Nancy Lopez won five straight events in 1978.  

For more information on the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, visit FordChampionship.com

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