Virginia Golfer Jan / Feb 2016 | Page 12

TheRULES Four Major Rules Changes Affecting Players In 2016 E RULE 14-3 biggest impact. These are changes with which golfers should become acquainted. The first principle change, which should come as no surprise, is the prohibition of anchored strokes. Originally announced in May 2013, golfers have had more than two years to prepare and adapt. Rule 14-1b has been adopted to prohibit anchoring the club either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point” when making a stroke. The club is anchored “directly” when a player intentionally holds either the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of their body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against either hand or a forearm. For the purposes of Rule 14-1b, the “forearm” is defined as the part of the arm below the elbow joint and includes the wrist. An “anchor point” exists when a player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of their body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club. An important point to keep in mind is Rule 14-1b is not an equipment rule. It nar- RULE 14-1B PERMITTED very four years, golfers anxiously wait to hear what Rules changes the USGA and The R&A have decided upon; this year was no exception. This fall, the two governing bodies announced to the world the changes that would be implemented on January 1, 2016. While there were numerous changes to both the Rules of Golf and the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, there are four principle Rules changes that are most likely to have the 10 V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 6 vsga.org USGA PHOTOS by KATHRYN BELANGER