Showing posts with label Rules of Golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rules of Golf. Show all posts

Tuesday 30 June 2020

COVID-19 - Updated Guidance on the Rules of Golf

The R&A and USGA have moved to clarify whether a competition being run using temporary measures to help minimise exposing players to COVID-19 is being “played under the Rules of Golf”.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, both governing bodies have issued guidance so that Committees running golf competitions can better understand the options available under the Rules of Golf.

Friday 20 March 2020

COVID-19 RELATED GUIDANCE ON THE RULES OF GOLF


FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE

The R&A has received a number of enquiries from organisers of golf competitions seeking guidance on the Rules of Golf in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of this communication is to provide some guidance on the Rules of Golf.
After consulting with CONGU, the official handicapping authority for all golf governing bodies in Great Britain and Ireland, Scottish Golf would like to inform its members that all recommendations listed by The R&A below can adopted and count for handicapping purposes in Scotland with immediate effect.
Scorecards 
In view of concerns around handling and exchanging scorecards (which may be in paper or electronic form as already provided in the Rules), on a temporary basis, Committees may choose to allow methods of scoring in stroke play that do not strictly comply with Rule 3.3b, or do not comply with the normal methods used under Rule 3.3b.
For example:
  • Players may enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it).
  • It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place.
  • It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the Committee provided the Committee can accept the scores in another way.
Flagsticks
Committees may choose to adopt the following policies on a temporary basis:
  • Requiring that players leave the flagstick in the hole at all times. It is a matter for the Committee to decide whether it establishes this policy by way of a Code of Conduct or Local Rule, and whether it provides a penalty under the Code of Conduct or for a breach of the Local Rule.
  • Not have flagsticks at all. 
Hole
No modifications to the Definition of Hole are offered, but if a Committee chooses not to follow the requirements in the Definition of Hole, which may also have an impact on the Definition of “Holed”, the Committee should consult its national association for guidance on whether scores submitted in such circumstances are acceptable for handicapping purposes.
The following will be deemed acceptable for use in qualifying competitions: 
Clubs can invert the cup so that there is only a shallow cup allowing players to remove the ball without touching the flag please see photo below.


Bunkers
If rakes have been removed from the course, or if the Committee has requested that rakes not be used, it is recognised that bunkers may not be smoothed as well as when there are rakes on the course. But it is recommended that no modification is made to the Rules of Golf in such circumstances, and that players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club. 
If, as a result of there being no rakes, the Committee decides to introduce a Local Rule relating to bunkers, scores submitted under the following Local Rules acceptable for use in qualifying competitions:
Preferred lies in bunkers within 6 inches to allow players to get out of un-raked areas or bunkers marked as GUR.

If you have any further queries relating to Handicapping and qualifying competitions, please email handicapping@scottishgolf.org

Tuesday 8 January 2019

GUIDE TO THE NEW RULES OF GOLF 2019 IN ASSOCIATION WITH HOW DID I DO


If you weren't already aware, there are a new set of rules that have been introduced to golf in 2019. This, when you come to think of it is big news, and not just big news for tour pros but amateur golfers all over the world too.
The new, 'modernised' Rules of Golf were finalised and released by the R&A and USGA earlier in 2018 and came into effect on the 1st of January, with the main goal of increasing the speed of play. Although it's no doubt that this is a good thing and another step forward for the game, there's also no doubt it will bring some confusion at amateur and club level in the first few months of introduction.
The Rules of Golf have long been a much debated subject, so a more simplified approach will hopefully bring about an end to the all-too regular on course rule debates. Hopefully come May - by the time the obvious teething problems and discussions between your regular fourball have been eradicated - we will see an end to much of the infamous ambiguity caused by the sport's many guidelines.
In the long run, minus the obvious golf club grumblings of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it', it's all good news. Let's be honest with ourselves though, although governing bodies like The R&A and England Golf (who have held over 40 nationwide rules conferences to educate golf club members and associates) have been extremely helpful in communicating the changes, the language can still be a little hard to digest, even for the most rules-savvy amongst us. 
Luckily, we've done the hard work for you. 
We've taken what we consider to be the 20 major rule changes that will affect amateur golfers the most, broken them down in to categories and given you our thoughts on how they will impact you. Hopefully after reading this article you will be fully prepared to take to the course in the New Year. You're very welcome. 

General Play

Standard for deciding why a ball moved

A player will only be found to have caused the ball to move if it was known or virtually certain (at least 95% likely) that they caused it to move, otherwise it will be assumed that natural forces caused it to move. 
We've all been there. You address the ball, look at the target, look back down at your ball, and it seems to have moved slightly. It plays on your mind for the rest of the round and you're not quite sure what to do. The golfing gods of leniency are now 95% on your side. Once your playing partners are aware that the ball has moved but not through your doing, you're ok to carry on as normal.

Ball in motion accidentally deflected

If a ball in motion is accidentally deflected by you or your equipment, there will be no penalty and the ball will be played from where it comes to rest.
Still though, don't leave your bag in the way of either yourself or your playing partner taking their approach to the green. It's annoying, off-putting, and pretty bad etiquette too.

Relief for an embedded ball

Relief allowed without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere (except in sand) in the ‘general area’ - a new term for ‘through the green’. 
Good bye to the infamous 'plugged ball through the green, what happens next?' debate - which we all know every fourball had a different interpretation of anyway. Now, if you're unfortunately plugged in the general area, you can take relief without penalty. Simple.

Accidental double-hit

If your club accidentally strikes your ball more than once during a stroke, there will be no penalty and your ball will be played as it lies.
Double-hits are now a thing of golfing history. Well, on the scorecard at least. We all know that double-hits take place more than golfers care to admit, so to reduce confusion, penalties for committing such a golfing sin are now eradicated. In terms of simplifying and streamlining things, this new rule will no doubt do that. But is it right to not penalise a golfing mistake on the golf course? We will leave this to you to debate in your own time.

Prompt pace of play

It is recommended that from now on golfers play ‘ready golf’ and make each stroke in no more than 40 seconds.
Simple, hopefully very effective. Stopwatches at the ready folks.

Maximum score form of stroke play

A new ‘maximum score’ form of stroke play is recognised, where your score for a hole is capped at a certain number to improve pace of play. 
The golf course you are playing now has the option to set a 'maximum score' for any particular hole on the course so that when you're having one of those days, taking your 7th shot on stroke index one, you have the option of putting your playing partners out of their misery. Pick it up. Move on, don't worry this won't be an N/R.

On the Green

No penalty for a moving ball on the putting green

No penalty for accidentally moving your ball or ball-marker whilst on the putting green.
Hooray. A time-saving step forward for everyone.

Replacing moving ball on the putting green

After your ball has been lifted and replaced, you must replace your ball on its original spot, even if it was blown by the wind or moved for no clear reason.
Dustin Johnson, Lexi Thompson - look away now. If your ball happens to move accidentally on the green, before continuing to play, you must now replace the ball to it's original spot. Once you have done so, you can continue to putt without being penalised as you would have been in the past.

Repairing damage on the putting green

Repair of almost any damage allowed on the putting green (including spike marks and animal damage).
Gone are the days of having to ask an opponent politely whether you can repair a pitch mark that is clearly in your line. Golfers are free to repair spike marks, animal damage, and pitch marks on the green. This is however an argument as to whether this could slow down play and undo some of the progress made with other pace of play improving rules? No more excuses for the Tyrrell Hatton's of this world. You know who you are.

Touching line of play on a putting green

No penalty for touching your line of play on the putting green so long as doing so does not improve the conditions for your stroke.
An advancement on the above, just make sure you're not improving the area in which you can make your stroke.

Putting with flagstick left in the hole

No penalty if your ball played from the putting green (or anywhere else) hits the unattended flagstick and goes in the hole. 
Common sense prevails. This will also help to speed up play a little as the first player on a green won't have to wait for their playing partners to attend the flag or take the flag out of the hole when they're facing a 60 footer. Leave the flag in, crack on, if it goes in - great putt.

Caddie lifting ball on the putting green

Your caddie may lift and replace your ball on the putting green without your specific authorisation to do so.
This obviously applies more to the professional game than your average Monthly Medal, but those of you who are lucky enough to enjoy the pleasantries of a caddie, bear this in mind.

Bunkers

Unplayable ball in bunker

Relief outside a bunker for an unplayable ball for two penalty strokes.
If you deem a shot to be completely unplayable in a bunker, you can simply pick up your ball and drop it out of the bunker for two penalty strokes and move on with your round.

Relaxed rules for touching sand or loose impediments in the bunker

You are now prohibited only from touching the sand (1) with your hand or club to test the condition of the bunker, (2) with your club in the area right behind or in front of the ball or (3) when making a practice swing or the backswing for your stroke.
'Relaxed' being the key word here... Don't start thinking that you can now ground your club behind the ball in a bunker prior to hitting a shot. Simply speaking, the only thing that's different here is that if you ground your club by the following for example: stepping into the bunker, leaning on your club whilst waiting for a playing partner to play or by dropping your wedge, you won't be unfairly penalised.

Damaged Ball

Substituting another ball for a cut or cracked ball

You may substitute another ball if your ball in play on a hole has become cut or cracked while playing that hole.
This seems like a step in the right direction. Golfers will no longer be penalised for clipping a tree and having to wait until the end of a hole to replace what could be a damaged ball. You may substitute another ball if your ball in play has become cut or cracked while playing that particular hole. Be careful though, as you are no longer allowed to change balls solely because the ball has become 'out of shape'.

Hazards

Touching impediments or ground in penalty area

There is now no penalty for moving loose impediments, touching the ground, or grounding your club in a penalty area.
Unlike in bunkers, you can now ground your club behind the ball in a hazard when taking a shot.

Taking Drops or Relief

Ball lost or out of bounds: an alternative to stroke and distance

A local rule can be enforced which permits golfers to drop the ball in the vicinity of where it was lost or went out of bounds, including on the nearest fairway area, for a two-stroke penalty.
This is a biggy. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise that this rule change has the sole purpose of speeding up play, and to be fair should do just that. Losing your ball, realising you forgot to hit a provisional, running 250 yards back to the tee, letting a group behind through, subsequently holding up the three groups behind that, then eventually hitting another only to miss the fairway once again in the opposite direction... Every golfers nightmare, now a thing of the past.
It's worth adding that this is not intended for professional or elite level competitions.

Relief area

Your relief area for dropping a ball will be a fixed size of either one or two club-lengths using the longest club in your bag, other than your putter.
So, in future, every golfer taking relief has to use their Driver (or longest club in their bag that isn't a putter just in-case you don't have a driver) to measure out two club lengths. This makes things universally much fairer and eradicates any question marks over where you should take lateral relief.

Drop procedure

A penalty drop must be taken from knee height and must fall without touching any part or your body or equipment.
This will no doubt cause some on-course discussions and arguably be the most important rule change in 2019. But put simply, golfers can no longer drop from shoulder height. It must now be from knee height. Hopefully this increases consistency amongst golfers when dropping for relief. The rule for placing the ball after two attempts if the ball goes closer to the hole or back into the hazard remains the same.

Lost ball search time

Ball is lost if not found in three minutes.
Finally, the powers that be have put an end to arguably the most ambiguous golf rule of all. Instead of having five minutes ball search time, golfers now have just three. This makes sense, let's be honest - if you can't find your ball in three minutes, you're never going to find it in five. If you did, you'd probably wish you hadn't.
So there you have it. The Golfalot guide to the New Rules of Golf in 2019.
Will everyone agree with every rule change? Will the new rules speed play up overnight? Will the rules be stuck to from the 1st January by every golfer on the planet? No, probably not is the unfortunate answer to all of the above. But, nothing changes overnight, and there's no doubting that this new approach from a seven-year process to review the rules is certainly a step in the right direction. 

READ MORE FROM THE R&A

Friday 4 January 2019

TEN ESSENTIAL VIDEOS TO GET YOU RULES READY AND EFFECT ON CONGU HANDICAPPING




The new Rules of Golf are now here and ready to be used by golfers across the globe! 

The R&A and the USGA embarked on the process to modernise the Rules in 2012, which was initiated to ensure that the Rules were easier to understand and apply for all golfers as well as making the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers. 

The R&A’s Rules jurisdiction extends across the globe, meaning that the new Rules came into effect on the stroke of midnight on Ist January 2019.

To read more go to the R&A Website

Details of additional materials that will become available in the coming months are also provided. Make sure you are Rules Ready for 2019!  RULES OVERVIEW


2019 Rules of Golf App for your mobile phone

The Official App for the 2019 Rules of Golf includes nearly 30 diagrams and how-to videos that help to explain the Rules and gives guidance for many common situations. Other features include: Improved Search Functionality A Visual Search – to help you quickly find the Rule you need Rules of Golf Quiz A Rules Essentials section will follow later in 2018 to help you learn the basics -- Click here to read more


2019 Rules of Golf – Effect on CONGU® Handicapping
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tuesday 11 December 2018

CONGU must take head out of the sand over rule change

By Martin Dempster

How disappointing to hear that the Council of National Golf Unions is not permitting one of the key changes in the New Rules of Golf coming into effect on 1 January in counting competitions.

The whole point of introducing a Local Rule to stop a player having to return to the tee after either losing a ball or discovering it has gone out of bounds was to help speed 
up play.

There is probably not a golf club in Scotland where the pace of play in a medal isn’t adversely affected by people having to trudge dejectedly back to a tee.

Yet, it is stated on the CONGU
 website and, consequently, is being relayed at various rules seminars taking place in preparation for 1 January, that the new Local Rule is not being encouraged in club 
competitions.

No, the “stroke-and-distance relief” is only “appropriate for general play where golfers are playing casual rounds or playing their own competitions”.

What utter nonsense. Yes, of course, this isn’t a rule that should ever be implemented in professional or elite level amateur 
competitions.

However, the sooner CONGU gets its head out of the sand over this one the better. Attempts to speed up the game simply have to 
be embraced.

Thursday 6 December 2018

SO WHATS NEW FOR 2019 BECOME A RULES GURU — PART 3 - BUNKERS




In 2019, bunkers will be given their very own Rule number and specific relief Rules. Under Rule 12, players will be allowed to touch or move loose impediments in a bunker and will be generally allowed to touch the sand with a hand or club. However limitations will remain, including prohibiting testing the condition of the sand or touching the sand whilst preparing for the stroke.

In addition to this Rule change, when a player decides to treat their ball as unplayable within a bunker, there will now be an extra relief option: taking relief outside the bunker using the back-on-the-line procedure, for a total of two penalty strokes.

Thursday 29 November 2018

SO WHATS NEW FOR 2019 BECOME A RULES GURU — PART 2 -- PENALTY DROPS



In 2019, ‘water hazards” will be replaced by the expanded concept of ‘penalty areas.’ As now, players will get relief with a one stroke penalty if their ball comes to rest in this area. But, there will no longer be any special restrictions when a ball is in a penalty area. 

Here’s the detail:

  • There will be two types of penalty area. The first will include all areas currently defined in the Rules as a water hazard or lateral water hazard. The second will include any other areas the Committee chooses to define as penalty areas. Recommended guidelines on this will be provided in the guidebook.
  • Penalty areas may therefore include desert, jungle, lava rock fields and so on. 
  • The two types of penalty areas will be known by the colour of their marking: yellow, which gives two relief options; and red which gives the additional option of lateral relief. Committees will be given the discretion to mark all penalty areas as red so that lateral relief will always be allowed. 
  • The term “hazard” will no longer be used in the Rules.
  • A player will be allowed to touch or move loose impediments and touch the ground with hand or club for any reason. For example, a player can ground the club right behind the ball. However, they must not improve conditions for the stroke.

Monday 26 November 2018

SO WHATS NEW FOR 2019 BECOME A RULES GURU — PART 1 -- DROPPING THE BALL



Over the next month or so  I will be adding in some of the new rules for next year to help us all get ahead of the game for next season 

In 2019, players will continue to drop a ball when taking relief, (either free relief or under penalty) but the dropping procedure will be changed in several ways: 

  • How a ball may be dropped is simplified; the only requirement will be that the ball be let go from knee height so that it falls through the air and does not touch any part of the player’s body or equipment before it hits the ground. 
  • The focus of the dropping procedure will be on a specific “relief area” (either one or two club-lengths from a reference point depending on the Rule under which relief is being taken (and may have certain other limitations)). 
  • The ball will need only to be dropped in and come to rest in the relief area
  • No re-drop requirement if the dropped ball accidentally hits a person or object after hitting the ground but before coming to rest in the relief area. 
  • If the dropped ball comes to rest outside the relief area, it will be dropped a second time; if it comes to rest outside the relief area after being dropped a second time it will be placed where it first touched the ground
  • If the placed ball will not come to rest on that spot after two attempts, the player will then place the ball on the nearest spot (not nearer the hole) where it will come to rest.

Want to read more about rules  -- CLICK HERE

Friday 23 November 2018

NEW 2019 GOLF RULES -- SOME YOU TUBE VIDEOS FROM THE R&A AND PRESENTATION FROM SCOTTISH GOLF FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS







The top Video  is the Scottish Golf 2019 Rules Presentation - for Committee Members - Perhaps better to sit back and watch it on your smart TV if you have one ! -- CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE R&A WEBSITE

There are 25 videos from the R&A if you click on the following link - The one in this post is relief from a bunker.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PLAYLIST OF ALL THE CHANGES

ADVICE FROM CONGU

Friday 16 November 2018

THE RULES OF GOLF 2019 FROM THE R&A


The R&A and the USGA have announced the final changes to the Rules of Golf for 2019. 

These changes result from our Rules Modernisation Initiative that began in 2012 to bring the Rules up to date to fit the needs of the game today globally.


The background to the initiative and the major changes are provided on this website, along with extensive resource materials.

Introducing the Rules of Golf for 2019
The videos shown on the link below highlight some of the main changes to the Rules of Golf for 2019.

Thursday 15 November 2018

NEW RULES OF GOLF SEMINARS



Club Seminar |It’s not long now until the new Rules of Golf come into play on 1 January 2019. 


Scottish Golf are inviting clubs to attend one of our upcoming Regional Seminars (Nov-Dec) to find out how the changes will impact you & your members.


Saturday 22 September 2018

SUMMARY OF THE 20 MOST IMPORTANT RULE CHANGES FOR 2019



As of 2019, new golf rules apply worldwide. 

It is the most major revision of the rules for more than 30 years. 

This easy-to-understand video gives you a clear overview of the changes so that you can benefit from all the simplifications and new relief procedures.

Monday 12 March 2018

New Rules of Golf for 2019 unveiled


The R&A and the USGA have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, to be implemented on 1 January 2019.

The R&A and the USGA finalised golf’s new Rules this month after an extensive review that included a request for feedback from the global golf community on the proposed changes. Golfers can now access the official 2019 Rules of Golf here
The process to modernise the Rules began in 2012 and was initiated to ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers.  
While the majority of proposed Rules remain intact in the final version, several important changes to the initial proposals and further clarification of many Rules were incorporated. The most significant adjustments made following review of the feedback received from golfers around the world include:
  • Dropping procedure: When taking relief (from an abnormal course condition or penalty area, for example), golfers will now drop from knee height. This will ensure consistency and simplicity in the dropping process while also preserving the randomness of the drop. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested dropping from any height).
  • Measuring in taking relief: The golfer’s relief area will be measured by using the longest club in his/her bag (other than a putter) to measure one club-length or two club-lengths, depending on the situation, providing a consistent process for golfers to establish his/her relief area. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested a 20-inch or 80-inch standard measurement).
  • Removing the penalty for a double hit:  The penalty stroke for accidentally striking the ball more than once in the course of a stroke has been removed. Golfers will simply count the one stroke they made to strike the ball.  (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 included the existing one-stroke penalty).
  • Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance:  A new Local Rule will now be available in January 2019, permitting committees to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. It addresses concerns raised at the club level about the negative impact on pace of play when a player is required to go back under stroke and distance. The Local Rule is not intended for higher levels of play, such as professional or elite level competitions. (Key change:  this is a new addition to support pace of play)
David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We are pleased to be introducing the new Rules of Golf after a collaborative and wide-ranging review process which has embraced the views of golfers, rules experts and administrators worldwide. We believe that the new Rules are more in tune with what golfers would like and are easier to understand and apply for everyone who enjoys playing this great game.”
“We’re thankful for the golfers, administrators and everyone in the game who took the time to provide us with great insight and thoughtful feedback,” said USGA Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status, Thomas Pagel. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new Rules ahead of their education and implementation.”
Major proposals introduced in 2017 that have been incorporated into the modernised Rules include:
  • Elimination or reduction of “ball moved” penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that he or she did so.
  • Relaxed putting green rules:There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.
  • Relaxed rules for “penalty areas” (currently called “water hazards”): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
  • Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.
  • Relying on player integrity: A player’s “reasonable judgment” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.
  • Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of “ready golf” in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of  play
Presented in digital, text-based form today, the new Rules will also now be translated into more than 30 languages and readied for final delivery via print and digital formats, including searchable Rules of Golf official apps developed by The R&A and the USGA.
Three important publications, to be distributed in September, will help players as well as officials and provide interpretation and guidance in how the Rules are applied:  
  • The Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf: An abridged, user-friendly set of the Rules with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, and diagrams. Written in the “second person,” The Player’s Edition is intended to be the primary publication for golfers.
  • The Rules of Golf: The full edition of the Rules will be written in the third person and include illustrations. It is intended to be a more thorough version of the revised Rules.
  • The Official Guide to the Rules of Golf: This “guidebook” replaces the Decisions book and will contain information to best support committees and officials. It includes interpretations on the Rules, committee procedures (available local rules and information on establishing the terms of the competition), and the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities. It is a comprehensive resource document intended as a supplementary publication. 
More than 30 “how-to apply” videos and a summary of the principal changes are now available at usga.org/rules.  Additional education tools will be released in September.
Players are reminded that the current edition of the Rules of Golf (2016) must be applied when playing, posting scores or competing for the remainder of 2018. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.
As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and the USGA’s efforts to modernise golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

Wednesday 1 March 2017

THE R&A AND THE USGA ANNOUNCE PROPOSED CHANGES TO MODERNISE RULES OF GOLF


1 March 2017, St Andrews, Scotland and Far Hills, N.J., USA: The R&A and the USGA have unveiled a preview of the proposed new Rules of Golf, as part of a joint initiative to modernise the Rules and make them easier to understand and apply.
The online release of this preview begins a six-month feedback and evaluation period during which all golfers worldwide can learn about the proposed changes and provide input before they are finalised in 2018 and take effect on 1 January 2019.
The announcement follows a comprehensive review process that began in 2012 with a working group of key R&A and USGA Rules administrators, professional tour officials and other Rules experts. While the Rules are revised every four years, this is the first fundamental review since 1984, and was established to ensure the Rules fit the needs of today's game and the way it is played around the world. 
David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, "Our aim is to make the Rules easier to understand and to apply for all golfers. We have looked at every Rule to try to find ways to make them more intuitive and straightforward and we believe we have identified many significant improvements. It is important that the Rules continue to evolve and remain in tune with the way the modern game is played but we have been careful not to change the game's longstanding principles."
"We are excited and encouraged by the potential this work brings, both through the proposed new Rules and the opportunities to use technology to deliver them," said Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status for the USGA. "We look forward to an ongoing conversation with golfers during the feedback period in the months ahead."
The proposed 24 new Rules, reduced from the current 34, have been written in a user-friendly style with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, bulleted lists and explanatory headings. The initiative also focuses on assessing the overall consistency, simplicity and fairness of the Rules for play.
The Rules are currently delivered in more than 30 languages, and the proposed wording will support easier translation worldwide. When adopted, the Rules will be supported by technology that allows the use of images, videos and graphics.
Highlights of the proposed Rule changes include:
  • Elimination or reduction of "ball moved" penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is "virtually certain" that he or she did so.
  • Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.
  • Relaxed rules for "penalty areas" (currently called "water hazards"): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
  • Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.
  • Relying on player integrity: A player's "reasonable judgment" when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.
  • Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of "ready golf" in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play.
  • Simplified way of taking relief: A new procedure for taking relief by dropping a ball in and playing it from a specific relief area; relaxed procedures for dropping a ball, allowing the ball to be dropped from just above the ground or any growing thing or other object on the ground.
A series of materials have also been prepared to explain the proposed Rule changes and provide background on the initiative. Found on randa.org and usga.org/rules, they include:
  •  Overview of the Rules Modernisation Initiative: goals, proposed changes and process for implementation in 2019
  • Draft New Rules of Golf for 2019: the full text of proposed Rules 1-24 and Definitions
  • Draft Player's Edition of the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Written from the perspective of "you" the golfer, this shorter version covers the most commonly used Rules and is meant to be the rule book golfers will use when finalised and adopted in 2019
  • Explanation for Each Major Proposed Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Short summaries of each major proposed change
  • Summary chart of major changes
  • Videos and Infographics: Visual explanations of the proposed Rules.
Golfers are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit feedback online via worldwide survey technology that can be accessed at randa.org or usga.org/rules from now until 31 August 2017.
The feedback will be reviewed by The R&A and the USGA in establishing the approved final version of golf's new Rules. These are due to be released in mid-2018 ahead of a 1 January 2019 implementation. Social media users can also follow the discussion using #GolfRules2019.
Players are reminded that the current 2016 Edition of the Rules of Golf remain in force when playing, posting scores or competing, until the new Rules are officially adopted by The R&A and the USGA in 2019. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.