W GOLF
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NEW RULES FOR 2019
BY TOM ATKINSON, PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL
Now that we are in to 2019 you're going to have to play by the
new rules. Here are a few of the more common ones you will
need to know:
SEARCHING FOR YOUR BALL
Your search time has been cut from five to three minutes, You've
only got 180 seconds to find a lost ball. And if you or your
playing partners do move it while trying to find or identify it, the
ball must be replaced to its original spot without penalty.
When searching, you no longer have to announce your intention
to mark and lift your ball to another person.
Drops must be taken from knee height, not shoulder height.
When taking relief, the ball must be dropped in and come to rest
in the relief area. If it does not, you must drop once more before
being allowed to place it.
YOU CAN PUTT WITH
THE FLAGSTICK IN
To save time you no longer
have to remove the flag whilst
putting. There's no penalty
if a putt hits an unattended
flagstick.
If a ball is wedged against the
flagstick and part of the ball is
below the surface of the green,
it is treated as holed, not
everyone will feel comfortable
with this but so far it has
suited Bubba Watson and
Bryson De Chambeau on the
PGA tour.
DOUBLE HITS COUNT AS
ONE STROKE
They're embarrassing enough,
aren't they? Thankfully, they
no longer cost you two shots,
If this is something that
troubles you then here’s a
little tip.
You can contact Tom at Heswall Golf Club on 0151 342
7431, www.heswallgolfshop.co.uk or @heswallgolfshop.
78 wirrallife.com
A double hit when chipping is
often caused by deceleration
during the downswing, lack
of confidence about the strike
is a major factor, here’s the
tip, use the bounce of the
wedge by placing the ball
towards the front of your
stance and addressing it with
no shaft lean, all you need to
do now is make sure you’re
in contact with the floor at
the moment of impact. The
bounce of the club will soak
up the mishit, go out and give
it a go.