Even those who don't play golf have to admit that the sport is one of the most challenging. You just can't muscle your way to greatness like in most other sports such as football, where you can make up for your shortcomings by being athletic, and basketball, where you can be a great player by towering over others and becoming a decent shooter.

Golf, however, requires a lot of inner knowledge due to the concept of the game. The average golfer will grab a four-foot metal rod with a head at the end and hit a ball that's one inch in diameter at a hole in the ground. That hole is hundreds of yards away and pretty much the only way to detect the intended target is by looking for a large flag sticking out of a hole that screams something along the lines of "you'll never hit me!"

Of course, you can disagree with me that golf is the most difficult sport, but I'm going to stand by my statement. But I just have to let you all know that golf has quite a few obscure rules that avid golfers who have been shooting strokes and making pars for years don't even know themselves. No one likes obscure rules, but what can we do about such guidelines? All we can do is read about them, recall if we've broken them, and learn from our previous mistakes on the green.

Let's take a look at 20 of the most obscure golf rules even avid golfers don't know.

20 Dew-Wiping Is A Two-Strike Offense

According to Rule 13-2, dew-wiping is a two-stroke offense.

So if you're a morning person who prefers to wake up early in order to hit the course, you're considered as a dew-sweeper whose ball is likely covered with morning dew. And, if you possess the habit of wiping dew off with your hands and/or towels, you've basically broken Rule 13-2.

Dew, frost and/or water can be removed on the tee box before hitting the ball.

I'm just looking out by letting you know this snippet of information ahead of time so you'll avoid breaking Rule 13-2 and making a fool out of yourself.

19 Ball Hitting A Flagstick Is A Two Stroke Penalty

Let's take a look at a specific rule that every golfer has broken without knowing that it was actually a rule. After all, managing to hit a flagstick sounds like an impressive feat.

Rule 17-1, Note 1 states, "You are chipping or putting from off the green, and someone is standing near the flagstick on the green. If that person is close enough to touch the stick, he is deemed to be attending it while a stroke is being made."

So if your ball hits the flagstick, you're penalized two strokes, even if you were playing off the green. I suggest trying to avoid breaking this rule. Not all players will enforce it, but if you have a stickler in your group, you may be in trouble.

18 The Only Relief Allowed Is To Move The Ball Within A Bunker To Where There's Less Water

It's cool if you're going to the green to play some golf on a rainy, cloudy day, but please keep in mind that you may come across a bunker that's completely filled with water, which won't provide you with a wide range of options.

According to the official rules, the only relief you may take with a water-filled bunker is to move the ball within the bunker to where there's less water and more grass and/or sand. And, if you somehow break this rule... Well, don't say that I didn't warn you because I did and it's in writing, too.

17 If Neither Ball Has An Identifying Mark, They'll Both Be Viewed As Lost

Let's take a look at a golf-related scenario that's way too common on the green.

So you’ve played one of your favorite balls with a "1" on it and hit it into a greenside bunker. Your golfing partner hits their ball to an almost identical spot, and as soon as you get there, you found out that they were playing a similar ball with the same "1." Neither one of you wrote an identifying mark on the ball. What's the next step?

Rule 12-2 states that both balls will be viewed as lost.

Not only that, both golfers will be penalized a stroke and forced to return to play their previous shots.

16 There's No Penalty For Hitting Another Golfer With A Shot And The Ball Comes To Rest Out Of Bounds

Contrary to popular belief, there's actually no rule penalizing a golfer for hitting another golfer. And, if you happen to hit an out of bounds golfing opponent, Rule 19-3/1 will allow you to replay the shot if your ball rolled out of bounds.

Of course, there are unwritten and proper golf etiquette rules that dictate that a golfer should use the term "fore" to warn their possible victims. In addition, please don’t forget to apologize to the struck opponent to show your courtesy. It's always important to be a polite person and show sportsmanship regardless of any outcomes on the course.

15 If A Player's Ball Is In A Creek And It Starts To Move, The Player's Allowed To Make A Stroke At That Ball

Rule 14-6 states that if you happen to hit your ball into a creek and your ball begins to move, you're allowed to make a stroke at that ball.

Moreover, there's something that you're not allowed to do and that something is that you’re not supposed to delay making your stroke in an attempt to allow for the tide to improve your ball position and/or lie.

So what's the lesson of this particular rule? It's really simple, just hit it and get out or maybe only a drop. It's not rocket science, so it's not going to be that hard to remember.

14 If A Player Hits A Ball Without Re-Covering It, It's A Two Stroke Penalty

Five words: Don't be like Michael Hoey.

In case you're unaware, Hoey—a golfer on the PGA Tour—during the 2012 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course outside the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina.

Rule 12-1B states that if you hit a ball without re-covering it, it'll cost you two strokes...and you don't want that.

If you want to avoid a penalty, you have to re-cover the ball with some sand, so you can replace it without any penalties whatsoever.

Also, this preventative measure will help you identify your ball a little bit faster, especially if it's in sand.

13 Play The Ball (And The Cone) As It Lies

Rule 13-4/18.5 states that if you opt to move the pine cone and play your shot, it will cost you two strokes. You have to play the ball (and the cone) as it lies.

Here's an example pertaining to touching a loose impediment in a hazard: Your ball sails into a bunker. When you get to the bunker, you’re pleased to see that you have a good lie. As you reach for your sand wedge, a gust of wind kicks up and some pine cones become airborne from a nearby tree. When you look back, one of those cones has already come to rest behind your ball. The pine cone is just another obstacle to overcome.

12 If The Car Is Readily Movable, The Ball Should Be Treated As A Movable Obstruction And Moved

Here's a rare (or often, depending on how unlucky you are) golf-related question: "What if my ball lies under a parked car?"

First off, there are two possible answers to this particular question that I'll briefly describe in this entry and the next entry. The first being the clear-cut fact that if the car is readily movable, the ball should be treated as a movable obstruction, per Rule 24-1/24-2b. And, as you may already know, a ball under a moving car is a danger to the driver and passengers driving and/or sitting inside the car trying to get in and out of the flattering course that may be a part of a country club.

11 If The Car Isn't Readily Movable, The Ball Should Be Treated As An Immovable Obstruction

Now, let's take a look at the second half of Rule 24-1/24-2b.

If your ball lies under a parked car and the car isn't readily movable, it should be treated as an immovable obstruction and you're entitled to free relief.

In case you need a refresher, free relief is defined when you receive relief without any penalties whatsoever.

In general, this also applies to areas that are rather sensitive like brand-new grass, trees, flowers and vice versa.

This additionally applies to what the golf water describes as casual water, better known as excess water, that you're forced to stand in or hit your shot that's usually not lingering there.

10 Players May Open A Door Or Window To Continue The Game Unless The Clubhouse Is OB

Rule 24-2b/14 states that you may open a door or window to continue the game unless if the clubhouse is OB.

And, just in case you weren't aware beforehand, an OB in golf is simply an abbreviation for "out of bounds." So, a clubhouse must be out of bounds or else you or any one of the other golfers in your party of whatever number it may be won't be allowed to open one of its doors and windows. It's a pretty simple rule, but it's one that may be broken by some other golfers without knowing it. It is pretty obscure after all.

9 If A Player's Club Head Falls Off During A Backswing And They Miss The Ball, It Doesn't Count As A Stroke

Rule 14/2, 14-3 is yet another rule with two parts that are totally different from each other. First things first...If your clubhead falls off during your downswing and you happen to miss the ball, it would count as a stroke. Second things second...If your clubhead falls off during your backswing and you happen to miss the ball, it wouldn't count as a stroke.

So yeah, you gotta remember that there are always two sides to every story, and in this case, every rule in the so-called book of golf rules. And, if you can't remember both sides, then you should write it down on a piece of paper.

8 Only Two Options If A Ball Gets Embedded Inside A Piece Of Fruit

The average golfer likely won't be aware that there's an obscure chance that their respective balls can get embedded inside pieces of fruits, but the golfing rulebook has really thought of every possibility.

But there are only two well-known solutions in solving this particular matter.

Rule 23/10 states that you must play the ball and/or fruit as it lies or declare it unplayable.

So if you're a golfer who has experienced this matter in one way or another (very unlikely), you have to remember that there aren't a whole lot of options out there, and just pick one or the other.

7 If A Prankster Moves The Flagstick Away From The Hole, The Player Must Accept The Resulting Advantage Or Disadvantage

This is a very common question, so I'm going to bring it up—"What if some prankster moves the flagstick away from the hole?"

Rule 1-4/3 states that the golfer must accept the resultant advantage or disadvantage, which means that they can't replay their shot.

That being said, you can't put the blame on the prankster who moved the flagstick away from the hole. All you can do is accept the good or bad result, suck it up and move on to the next hole with your caddie. You truly don't want to be a bad sport who cries about anything and everything.

6 A Live Snake Can't Be Moved Before Continuing Play

Here's a strange question, "What if I encounter a snake on the course?"

Well, Rule 23/6 states that a live snake can't be moved before continuing play. We're guessing that not many golfers will be a stickler for this one, as no one wants to get in a snake's space just to play a ball.

But, like some other rules we've mentioned earlier in this list, there's another side to the rule and that's something that we'll briefly go over for you and your information in the next entry.

Snakes are known as scary legless, elongated and carnivorous reptiles, and there will be around a 50 percent chance that they'll pose as a distraction for the average golfer golfing out on the green.

5 Snakes Can Also Be Treated As A Loose Impediment

Now, let's take a look at the other half of Rule 23/6, which states that a dead snake can be treated as a loose impediment, which means you may remove it.

You'll likely agree with us that it's an unpleasant sight of a dead snake on the course or somewhere in any public space for the masses, but you'll likely disagree with this particular rule that says that a dead snake can be treated as a loose impediment. A dead snake isn't really a loose snake since it'll just be laying on the ground and doing absolutely nothing at all.

4 A Half-Eaten Apple Is Considered A Natural Object And Can't Be Removed Without Penalty

Here's a question most people thought they'd never ask, "What if my ball lands in a bunker directly in front of a half-eaten apple?"

Rule 23/3 is pretty straightforward if you ask me. It states, "A half-eaten apple is considered a natural object and can't be removed without penalty. It does not matter if there are apple trees in the vicinity, or if it was left there by another golfer."

So it's safe to say that an uneaten apple is considered as a false object that can be removed without penalty. That's quite a strange double standard that applies to different apples to say the least.

3 Ant Hills Are Considered Loose Impediments

"What if my ball lands on an ant hill?" is a question most golfers hope they never have to ask themselves. But just in case they do, here's what to follow.

According to Rule 23/5, 23-1, ant hills are considered loose impediments. Therefore, golfers are entitled to remove it and replace the ball without penalty.

Contrary to belief, ant hills—well, at least in the world of golf—aren't hills with a ton of ants in them. That would be frightening as heck. Ant hills are simply meant to serve as distractions that will likely pose challenges to fluster the average golfer as well as their balls in their sweet golf bags.

2 If A Ball Falls Into A Hole On The Course Made By A Burrowing Animal, It's Subject To Relief And Can Be Re-Positioned

Let's shift gears and talk about divots and holes, which are two of the most important parts of the game.

According to ProClubs.com, if your ball falls into a hole on the course made by a burrowing animal (i.e. rabbits or groundhogs), you're subject to relief and your ball can be re-positioned.

However, if a ball finds its way into holes considered abnormal by the USGA, abnormal being holes made by non-burrowing animal (i.e. dog), it's not subject to relief.

The solution? All golfers should get relief from all unusual conditions and those conditions should include divots along with animal-made holes.

1 If A Penalty Becomes Apparent After A Scorecard Is Signed, The Player Will Be Disqualified

Last but not least, you should try your best to avoid getting disqualified.

If you commit a penalty that becomes apparent after your scorecard is signed, you’ll be disqualified. And, even if your penalty isn't malicious and/or unintentional, there won't be a two-stroke penalty type of mercy. Instead, you'll be disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard, which is a mistake that you'd want to avoid.

So what's a simple solution to dodge messy messes? You should just give the golfer their penalty, but don’t DQ (disqualify) them under another rule. It's that simple—and you can either abide by the rules or choose to play the game your own way.