Rules Education
Golf Nova Scotia is committed to supporting and training golfers, volunteers, and tournament officials in understanding and applying the Rules of Golf. Our goal is to help individuals develop the knowledge and experience needed to progress through Golf Canada’s Rules Education Pathway and ultimately achieve provincial or national rules officials certification.
Since 2019, Golf Canada has adopted the R&A’s unified Rules Education system. This framework ensures that rules training, exams, and certification standards remain consistent across all R&A-allied countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina.
Rules Officials are critical to the success of the nine Provincial Championships that are run across the province.
Golf Nova Scotia follows Golf Canada’s three-tiered Rules Education Pathway. Participants begin at Level 1 and may continue to the Provincial and National levels as their interest and involvement in tournament operations grow.
How to Become a Rules Official
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Level 1Online LearningLevel 1 is the introductory stage of Golf Canada’s Rules Education program and is offered entirely online.
This level provides:
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- An accessible introduction to the basics of golf
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- Core etiquette and key definitions
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- Guidance on the most common on-course rulings
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- Review questions at the end of each module
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- An online Level 1 certification exam – passing grade 60%
Level 1 is ideal for:
New golfers, volunteers, or anyone wishing to build a strong foundation in the Rules of Golf. -
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Level 2Provincial LevelThe Provincial Level is administered by Golf Nova Scotia and is designed for individuals who are already involved or wish to become involved in tournament administration, officiating, or championship operations.
Our Level 2 program offers a deeper dive into the Rules of Golf, including many of the complexities found in the full Rules of Golf book and the Official Guide.
Eligibility
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- Prerequisite: Level 1 Certification (60%)
Requirements for Provincial Certification
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- Attend Atlantic Canada Rules Level 2 webinars
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- Achieve a minimum of 80% on the provincial exam
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- Complete 10 hours of on-course experience as a Rules Officials
To register for Atlantic Canada’s Level 2 webinars, email Golf NS Executive Director, Sara Wilson
CLICK HERE to view the dates and times of the 2026 Level 2 Rules Education Webinar.
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Level 3National LevelLevel 3 is the highest stage in the Rules Education Pathway and is led by Golf Canada. This eight-week online program is intended for experienced Rules Officials who wish to enhance both their technical and practical officiating skills.
www.golfcanada.ca/become-a-rules-official
Eligibility
- Prerequisite: Level 2 Certification (80%)
Requirements for National Certification
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- Attend all national webinars
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- Achieve a minimum of 80% on the Level 3 exam administered by Golf Canada
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- Complete 100 hours of on-course experience as a Rules Official
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- Complete 10 hours shadowing a Nationally Certified Rules Official at a Golf Canada championship
Golf Canada is committed to training and educating all golfers in hopes they may ultimately lead to national certification as a Referee.
Since 2019, Golf Canada has adopted the R&A’s Rules Education system. One of the main objectives of the Rules Modernization Initiative was to create consistency around the world in many facets of the Rules of Golf, including educating and training referees. The exams that Golf Canada will use and the designation by marks achieved will be consistent throughout the countries allied to the R&A, such as Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
While Golf Canada traditionally has employed a four-level system, the R&A’s Rules Education program consists of a three-tiered approach which similarly Golf Canada has adopted. Level 1 is the introductory level to Golf Canada’s Rules Education program which then proceeds into separate programming for individuals to continue through our Rules Education Pathway at the provincial and national level.