Golf’s new ’Rules’ have been published by The R&A and the USGA ahead of coming into effect on January 1, 2019. Golf clubs in Great Britain and Ireland should now have received their copies of the Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf, which will serve as the primary publication for all golfers.
These are the biggest set of changes to the Rules in a generation with the aim to make golf more accessible and in tune with the way modern sport is played.
Some of the key changes in the new Rules include new procedures for dropping the ball when taking relief, the elimination or reduction of several penalties, relaxed putting green and bunker rules, and rules that encourage improved pace of play.
The Club Members Committee have published a Guide to the main changes to the Rules of Golf for 2019 which is published on the Committee web page in the Members' Area.
The guide covers chnages to:
Ball at Rest Accidentally Moves
Replacing a Moved or Lifted Ball
Ball in Motion Accidentally Deflected
Dropping a Ball in a Defined Relief Area
Lost Ball
Embedded Ball
Ball to Use in Taking Relief
Putting Green
Penalty Areas
Bunkers
Promoting Faster Pace of Play
Insisting on High Standards of Conduct and Trusting Player Integrity
Option for Local Rules
Our thanks go to Committee member, Paul Speakman for the efforts made in producing this guide for our members.