R&A and USGA Release Proposed Rule Changes

The USGA, the golf governing body of Mexico and the U.S., along with the R&A, who governs the rest of the golf world, have released an updated rulebook designed to simplify the game and help with pace of play.

“It is important that the Rules (of Golf) continue to evolve and remain in tune with the way the modern game is played,” said David Rickman, executive director of governance for the R&A. “But we have been careful not to change the game’s longstanding principles and character.”

Lots of thought & hard work by @USGA and @RandA to modernize our rules. Great work to benefit the game.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 1, 2017

The majority of the changes seem to be penalty related. Players no longer will be assessed a one-shot penalty if their golf ball accidentally moves, if their club touches the ground while in a hazard, or when a putt strikes a flagstick that is not being tended.

Those are some big changes.

Another major change is how a player drops a ball into a relief area. The new rule would allow a player to drop while holding the ball from as little as an inch from the ground. Currently, players have to stand upright and hold the ball at shoulder height and arm’s length from their bodies. So, essentially, the rule says you can practically place the ball in the relief area.

Now, while many of the rule changes are meant to increase the pace of play, one of them may do the complete opposite.

Under the new Rules, a player may now repair any mark on a green. I can only imagine some of the pros will become amateur gardeners out there trying to perfect their line.

That being said, overall, the rule changes are a welcome and overdue improvement to the game.

USGA has gotten the rules changes right. This is a great start to modernizing the rules for both pace of play and simplicity!! @USGA 👌🏻

— Paula Creamer (@ThePCreamer) March 1, 2017

“I think golf’s emphasis on the rules can sometimes turn people away from it,” McIlroy told The Associated Press. “To modernize and make it simple is a good thing. With what’s happened in the last couple of years, with some rulings and high-profile things that have happened at crucial stages in tournaments, people who look at that and might want to get into the game say, ‘You know what? It’s too complicated.’

“Making them more modern to move with the times is good.”

Now let’s talk about when my ball comes to a rest in a divot on the fairway…

Cover Image via Flickr