Recently the R&A and USGA made a major announcement, which are aimed at seeing golf rule modernisation. This includes a major set of proposed rules, which will also encourage the speed of play. At the moment the release is scheduled for 2019 and may see some revision. There are some great initiatives in the updated version aiming to remove the need for a law degree to read and interpret them. This includes:
a. Penalty areas, not limited to being a water or lateral water hazard. This simplifies the term and how it can be implemented
b. Dropping the ball from any height when taking relief (even 5 ml above the ground)
c. Removing the penalty for accidentally moving the ball (highlighted by Dustin Johnson at the 2016 US Open)
d. No penalty for hitting yourself or your equipment (chances are you have been penalised in distance already if hitting your bag)
e. Fixed measurements for relief (20″ or 80″ as opposed to club lengths)
f. Reduced time to look for lost balls from 5 minutes to 3 minutes
g. Relief for an embedded ball. This is good in wet soggy conditions.
h. Leaving the flagstick in the hole, even when putting on the green
i. Repairing damage on the putting green (including spike marks)
j. Moving loose impediments in a penalty area or bunker (leaves, stones or sticks)
k. Taking relief from a bunker with a 2 stroke penalty (no need for the bucket and spade)
l. Allowing use of Distance Measuring Devices, unless a local rule prohibits
m. Maximum score on a hole in stroke play events (not one I agree with though)
n. Play when ready in stroke play (if safe to do so)
There will also be a new writing style and format (including images to show how the rule should be interpreted), along with re-organising of the rule book. With the App version I hope videos will be incorporated, making it simpler to understand for those new to the game, or still confused with reading the rule.
These topics are being hotly discussed on social media and golf forums around the World. It is quite interesting to see some of these discussions, some asking for other hot topics to be included. Like relief from divots on fairways, or incorporating the Irish drop (ball dropped near where it was lost with a stroke penalty).
I have previously looked at The Rules of Golf in another post, with particular focus on how they could be simpler, something this is aiming to do. Considering the original set started out with only 13, to now be 34 along with a multitude of caveats, it is long overdue.
A 10 minute survey is also available at the R&A website enabling you to give feedback, along with further details and videos of the proposed rules. If you have a strong interest in the game it is well worth completing. This will ensure your view is heard. Also a few questions relating to topics not yet to be seen in the current proposal, including stroke and distance penalties are mentioned.
Anyway looking forward to the golf rule modernisation being released in 2019. Happy golfing.
