The CSGA Links Volume 6 Issue 2 May, 2018

O n March 12th the USGA and R&A revealed the results of their review of the feedback the public provided to their proposals to modernize the Rules of Golf: The final text of the 2019 Rules is now available online. As you can see they took some of our comments to heart. For decades, the Rules have been presented in two publications: the Rules of Golf (which currently pres- ents the 34 base Rules) and the Decisions on the Rules of Golf (which interprets the base Rules). Starting in 2019, and for the foreseeable future, we’ll instead be working with three publications: the revised Rules of Golf, the Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf, and the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. The new Rules of Golf differs significantly from the previous book, and not only because of revisions. It’s more reader-friendly and will soon have supporting illustrations. The number of rules presented has been reduced from today’s 34 to 24, with some rules addressing the Committee’s behavior moved elsewhere. The Definitions section has been expanded, and some of the information previously only available in the Decisions book has been worked into this main Rule book. In September we will see illustrations added to the new Rules of Golf along with two new books: The Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf (a user-friendly, abridged version for use by the average player) and the Of- ficial Guide to the Rules of Golf (a replacement for today’s Decisions book, for officials and Committees). While you can get a head start by reading the main 2019 Rule book now, and while there is already a significant amount of information (including videos) on the USGA’s website contrasting the old and new Rules, the USGA says it doesn’t plan to officially start its “education” process until September. Following are some of the tantalizing new freedoms you’ll enjoy come January. If you’re inspired to take a more detailed look, each comment is followed by the new rule number: • Repair most damage on putting green, including spike marks. (R 13.1c) • Accidentally move your ball on the green. (R 13.1d—no longer a Local Rule) • Touch what used to be your “line of putt.” (Elimination of old R 16-1a) You’ll enjoy some • While on the green, allow your ball to strike the unattended flagstick left in the tantalizing new hole, or accidentally strike the flagstick randomly left on the ground. (R 13.2) • Accidentally deflect your ball off any player or equipment (or yourself or your freedoms within own equipment). (R 11.1) the rules, come • Accidentally hit your ball more than once during a stroke. (R 10.1a) • Accidentally move your ball during a search. (R 7.4) January 2019 • Move loose impediments in what are now called Hazards (and will be called either penalty areas or bunkers). Just make sure you don’t accidentally move your ball while doing so. (R 15.1a) • Ground your club in a penalty area or bunker (not right in front or behind your ball in a bunker). (R 8.1b) • Drop your ball from knee height instead of shoulder height (a big benefit in bunkers). (R 14.3b) • Ignore the complicated list of requirements as to when to re-drop your ball detailed in old Rule 2 0-2c — just make sure your ball doesn’t hit you or your equipment before it hits the ground, and comes to rest within the margins of the relief area, and you’re good to go. (R 14.3c) • If necessary, mark and lift your ball to see if it is damaged, to identify it, or to see if it is in a condition where relief is allowed without having to first alert others. (R 4.2c, 7.3, 16.4)Get a two club-length wide leeway (one club length either side, no closer to the hole) when dropping on a spot, an estimated spot, or on a line from the hole. (R 14.6b, 16.3b, 17.1d, 19.2b) • Use “reasonable judgement” in determining drop locations and that will be good enough. (R 1.3b) • Be able to drop in the fairway (with a two-stroke penalty) if a ball is lost or OB. (Optional new Local Rule) Taken together, there is a lot to like about these new rules. Remember that they do not take effect until 2019. Anyone trying out the 2019 rules this season may not post that round for handicap purposes. Click here to view a USGA video on the new rules. www.csgalinks.org CSGA Links // May 2018 27

The CSGA Links Volume 6 Issue 2 May, 2018 | Page 27