Golf’s new rules explained | Biggest changes in a generation
N.B. Proposed new rules for implementation in 2019
- Reduce time allowed to search for a lost ball from five to three minutes.
- Remove any penalty for accidentally moving ball on the green
- Allow club committees to set a maximum score for a hole (such as double par or triple bogey) to allow a player to pick up and move to the next hole.
- Relax protocols for taking free or penalty drops, with the ball dropped from only an inch above the ground, rather than shoulder height. Changed to ball dropped from knee height.
- Recommend no player takes more than 40 seconds to hit a shot.
- Use fixed distances (20 or 80 inches) rather than club lengths to measure areas where a ball should be dropped. Reverted to using club lengths as everyone has club available (can be longest club).
- Allow putting on the green with the flagstick left in the hole.
- Allow players to repair spike marks and animal damage on greens.
- Allow use of distance measuring devices. Ban caddies helping players’ alignment.
- Encourage players in strokeplay to implement “ready golf” rather than waiting until their turn.
- No penalty for a double hit.
- A 2 shot penalty if you take a drop outside the bunker.
- You can access the official 2019 Rules of Golf Rules.golf ( https://news.randa.org/49MT-7LSD-H8FRT-4Q9Z4-0/c.aspx).
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