Some people might find the rules of golf about as exciting as watching paint dry; others find them totally fascinating. The simple fact of the matter is, however, that there are more people playing golf in Ireland than ever and, by simply participating in the sport, the onus is on the golfer to know the rules.

That is not always the case. John Molyneaux, the rules convenor for the Golfing Union of Ireland, has a way of putting it. "It's like the blind leading the blind," he said, a reference to the fact that many players - particularly in this boom time for golf in this country, with an explosion in the numbers playing - often tend to play in the same social fourballs or whatever, week in and week out, and consequently develop poor habits.

The rules are complex and, yet, in their own way, simple. They have grown from 13 up to 34 over the space of time and much has changed in the 250 years since the original code was drawn up. But, as David Rickman, Rules Secretary of the Royal & Anicent, observed: "The important principles remain the same: Play the ball as it lies; play the course as you find it.

"If you can't do these things, do what is fair ... it is essentially a self-regulating game. Golfers are required to apply the rules fairly themselves and if that means a penalty, that's what they must do."

So, it all comes down to honesty and integrity, and there is an argument that the most important piece of equipment that any golfer requires is actually the little book known as the Rules of Golf or, alternatively, the condensed version which every club member is able to obtain free of charge from his club.

Be that as it may, it is an indication of how difficult some rules can be to interpret that even professional golfers, whose livelihood depends on it, can sometimes get the rules wrong. Most recently we had the case of Greg Chalmers at the Kemper Open on the US Tour.

In his first round, he noticed another caddie trying to look at the club he had used off the tee and, upset at hitting a poor shot, he said something like, "I hit a six-iron, just get away from me". Technically, though, had violated the rule that says golfers can't give advice during a round and it should have been a two-stroke penalty. Chalmers didn't realise this until three days later, went to the tournament committee and told them what had happened, and was consequently disqualified. It is estimated his honesty cost him $95,000 in prizemoney.

Then, earlier this season, there was the case of Sergio Garcia who took an incorrect drop during a tournament in Australia ... and, as far as Molyneaux is concerned, that is one area of the game that even professionals tend to be as "bit slack" with.

Molyneaux, who is one of a team of GUI officials around the country who conduct rules nights for clubs, contends that dropping is one area that consistently causes problems and that there are people who play golf regularly who simply don't know the difference between when they should take a free drop or when it should be a penalty drop.

"It all comes down to principles of honesty but, often, there is a slackness in the application of the rules. A lot of it is unwitting because people get into bad habits and just go on doing it. Common things. For example, pressing down behind the ball on the fairway. Whoever does that is guilty of the mortal sin of golf, improving his or her lie.

"Golfers in general are honest, but, maybe, it is still not quite as good as it should be. I'd say that most women playing are completely scrupulous when it comes to the application of the rules and, from my own experience, I have been impressed with the way that many new clubs and new members have been anxious to learn.

"The new golfers coming into the system are very aware and concerned with the rules and, to my own surprise, it is often people who have been playing golf a long time who are blissfully unaware of them."

Molyneaux has a message for people who observed partners infringing the rules. "Let them know, in a diplomatic way, that they have broken rules. Don't be afraid to have a quiet word with someone who transgresses.

"Some people play in groups and sometimes they countenance little things and get into old bad habits. It's a bit of slackness but it is something that should be pointed out."

Indeed, if anyone is looking for a role model in the proper way to conduct himself or herself on the golf course, then they need look no further than Padraig Harrington.

Although it was his much-publicised failure to sign his card on the first round of last year's Benson and Hedges International Open - and the way that he accepted his fate - that caught most people's imagination, it was another incidence during the US Open that really highlighted that golf is essentially a game of honesty.

During the US Open at Pebble Beach, he called a shot on himself for a double hit. Nobody but the player knew it had happened, but he immediately informed his playing partner of what had happened.

As Arnold Palmer stated in an article to American golfers on the rules and etiquette of the game, "true golfers help protect the game by observing golf etiquette. . . this is especially important for new golfers. If you're new to the game, you'll be a lot more careful on the golf course when you know what to do and how to behave."

AMONG points Palmer insists should be observed are: Always be on time and prepared to play; wait until the group ahead is out of range of your best shot; be sure you are well away from others before taking practice swings; stand on the same side as the ball when watching someone hit; stay silent and still while others in your group are teeing off; be ready to play when it is your turn, particularly on the putting green; know how to repair pitch marks; study your line of putt ahead of time and be ready when it is your turn; no "mulligans", ever!

While Palmer's concerns are mainly to do with the etiquette of the game, such etiquette and rules invariably go hand in hand. Molyneaux, for his part, believes that everyone should be in possession of one of the condensed rules books which, he said, "are a mine of information, as small as they are." Help is at hand video 'Golf: know the rules' Price £12.99 sterling (Irish retail price TBC).

In his introduction to this hour-long video - which goes on general release in Ireland on June 25th - Ken Brown makes the observation that even professionals "aren't immune from mistakes" .

And, as we see from one incident after another, from the various professional tours around the world, the rules of golf can even catch out some of the game's top exponents.

Using genuine incidences as encountered by professionals, this well-produced video - introduced by Brown, narrated by Sky Sports commentator Steve Beddow - is a joint venture between the R& and the European Tour.

It has been prepared by two of the most knowledgeable men in the game, David Rickman, Rules Secretary of the R&, and John Paramor, the European Tour's chief referee.

The idea for the video came about after some clips were gathered of actual refereeing decisions to show referees at training seminars. "We found people were continually asking us for copies of these compilations," remarked Paramor.

"No matter how good or poor a golfer is, he or she needs to have an appreciation of the Rules of Golf and if, through this video, we can improve the knowledge and understanding of the rules and make the subject entertaining then we will be delighted."

Among the incidences used to highlight different rules is Bernhard Langer's famous shot from halfway up a tree at Fulford in 1981 - playing the ball as it lies - and Hale Irwin's fresh air shot in the 1993 British Open.

Then, there is also the incident involving Mike McLean at the 1992 Dutch Open when he improved his lie by moving a creeper that was deemed to be "alive, fixed and growing." It resulted in a two-stroke penalty and the loss of the championship.

This is a video that is clear and concise. It doesn't muddle the mind and a tip for every golf club in the country is to purchase one - and play it regularly on the television in the bar (or even at a rules night) so that anyone with old habits can learn to break them.

Book: Pocket Golf Rules. By Jonathon Vickers, published by Collins-Willow, price £4.99 sterling. This is a revised edition of a book which has been updated to take account of the rule changes laid down last year by the R& A.

It's beauty is its simplicity. Aimed at both the beginner and regular club golfer, it covers all the most common and controversial rules, infringements, penalties and points of etiquette encountered on a golf course.

Illustrations are used throughout to demonstrate many problems and dilemmas and is sure to save time and solve many an argument on the course. Told in story format - rather than having to work your way through rules and decisions - it follows the course of a round between two golfing friends, David and John, one an experienced player, the other a beginner.

Throughout the round, they encounter all of the most common problems that you can normally expect during a round of golf and the correct procedure that should be taken is outlined.

For people who don't wish to go through the Rules of Golf, which is written in legal-like language, this little book is an excellent alternative. It makes easy, light reading but it hammers home the message of what it expected in terms of honesty and integrity. And makes players aware that the ultimate regulation in golfing matters is yourself!