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The Rules
Modernization in Progress
Decisions on the Rules of Golf spans 539
pages of copy, and that’s not including
a section detailing the definitions used
within the book and four appendices
focused on local rules, club design, the
ball, and devices and other equipment.
So, yes, the Rules of Golf can be
complicated.
In 2012, the USGA and R&A teamed
up with one goal in mind: To find ways to
simplify the Rules book and trim some of
the fat, so to speak. On March 1, the two
governing bodies announced details of a
joint initiative to modernize the Rules
and make them easier to understand
and apply.
Per the USGA, 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, sim-
plicity and fairness of the Rules for play.
And, as a bonus, the two organizations
want your feedback. The proposed Rules
changes are expected to go into effect by
the beginning of 2019. Through Aug. 31,
2017, golfers are encouraged to review the
proposed changes and submit feedback
online via worldwide survey technology
that can be accessed at usga.org/rules.
The USGA and R&A will review the feed-
back and use it to establish the approved
final version of golf’s new Rules, which are
due to be released in mid-2018 ahead of a
January 1, 2019 implementation.
The VSGA will test the proposed new
Rules at two One-Day Events (June 5 at
Glenmore CC and July 17 at Dominion
Valley CC).
PACE OF PLAY IMPROVEMENTS
Implementing changes that have a positive impact on pace of play is an important part of
modernizing golf’s Rules.
CHANGES YOU WON’T SEE IN THE PROPOSED RULES
The following Rules have not been changed on the proposed code, but we continue to
look at all Rules and your feedback is an important part of the process:
THE 2016–17 EDITION of
TIMELINE: The R&A and the USGA are pleased to
announce a major set of proposed changes to the
Rules of Golf. While these changes are the result of
an initiative that began in 2012, it’s now time for you
to get involved. Below are a set of key milestones
to remember before the new Rules take effect on
January 1, 2019.
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vsga.org