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Rules & Scoring

Anchor Ban and Other Major Golf Rule Changes Coming in 2016

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You have likely heard of the impending anchor ban, but the USGA and R&A have also made some changes to a few more rules for 2016.

First, they have decided to completely remove rule 18-2b involving a penalty stroke being assessed if the ball moves after address.  Beginning in 2016, if the ball moves after a player addresses it, it is no longer an automatic one shot penalty.  Instead, there must be clear evidence that the player caused the ball to move for there to be a penalty given.

Another major change to the rule book involves incorrectly scoring a hole when a penalty stroke is involved.  Previously, rule 6-6d stated that a player would be “immediately disqualified for returning a score other than actually taken.”  In 2016, an exception has been added that protects the player from unknowingly scoring a hole incorrectly due to an assessed penalty.  If this should occur, instead of an automatic disqualification, the player will be given a two-stroke penalty.

For more information regarding the 2016 rule changes, check out the R&A Rules website and for those of you needing further clarification on what constitutes “anchoring” the club here are more details as explained by the R&A and USGA:

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qsiDRB2Sm8&width=742&height=419[/embedyt]


Cover Photo via YouTube

Kris became obsessed with the game of golf after deciding to finally hang up his baseball cleats about four years ago. Still learning the game, he’s leaned on much of the on-line golf community for help and loves to return the favor whenever possible. A contributor to several golf sites in the past, Kris writes from the perspective of your average golfer. One who has a passion for the game, but also has the typical restrictions of life and budget. He can be reached on Twitter at @krismcewen.

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