St. Johns December Newsletter P1_STM77597 December Newsletter | Page 4

HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL UPDATE
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Schedule of Events

December 9th – Santa’s Revenge
December 22nd – Couples Glow Ball Challenge
December 25th – End of Holiday Sale
Members,
Starting on January 1st, The Rules of Golf will be getting a much-needed update to
modernize and speed up the game. The Rules of Golf are revised every four years and the
Decisions on the Rules of Golf are revised every two years. A full review and modernization
of the Rules of Golf was announced in March 2017, with the new Rules taking effect on
January 1, 2019.
As modern-day golfers, we will be a part of a rare opportunity during the history of
the game. We will experience first-hand; the changing of the game and it’ll be our
responsibility to implement these changes effectively.
After reviewing the new changes, I’ve listed a few of what I think will be the most
important changes to the game. I’m mostly excited about the changes made to speed up
play. A local rule that can be used called “Stroke and Distance” is a 2-stroke penalty that
allows a player to drop a new ball onto the fairway if their original ball in play is lost. This
will come into use when a player’s ball is lost in the general area of the golf course such
as the deep rough, palmetto bushes or trees. A few more great rules for speed of play
include the “Maximum Score” or “Time of Search.”
Another reason for the changes to the Rules of Golf was to make the game more
attractive to new golfers. The following rules to help modernize the game will certainly
be a change from the soon to be called “traditional rules.” One of the biggest changes
will be the treatment of “Penalty Areas.” Formerly known as lateral hazards, penalty areas
can be treated exactly like fairways or rough, meaning you may lift and clear any movable
obstructions, ground your club and even take practice swings from within the penalty
area. As for bunkers, you may remove clear any movable obstructions, but you still cannot
ground your club or take practice swings. Another big rule change around the greens is
that you may repair all damaged parts of the greens, including spike marks!
If you have any questions about the new changes, please make sure to send me an email
or stop by in the shop!
Jonathan Dick
Head Golf Professional
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