Favorite rule change

I did a quick search and didn't see this topic already covered so if it has been sorry.

What is your favorite rule change? Or do you even have one?

My favorite is the lost ball rule change allowing you to drop in the area the ball was lost or went OB with a two stroke penalty. I am not a good player so I have lots of shots that end up lost or OB. So it is nice not having to hit a provisional, and potentially loosing another ball or going back to hit another, and again potentially loosing another ball.

I note that what you're enjoying is not technically a "rule change" in that it is only in effect when a Committee adopts the local rule allowing it.

Beyond that, my favorite change is not having to try to drop as close as possible to the point where a ball embedded or as close as possible to the point where the previous shot was made from. Those areas are often damaged, and the 1cl relief area is a nice thing to have.

Of course, that's not a "Rule" but is authorized as a Local Rule that the Committee can implement. Without it being implemented by the Committee, it is not an option.

I think the best change to the Rules is the dropping procedure - knee height and always into a relief area determined by the length of a single club (longest, except putter).

Next would be flagstick in, out or attended (but I don't like the damage done to the hole by inconsiderate golfers (polite) getting their ball from the hole, including jamming their putter grip into the hole to remove the ball with the flagstick still in the hole).

No penalty for a double hit. Really helps my game. Really. I'm a terrible chipper.

I’m mostly with Sawgrass here. Getting rid of “as close as possible” for drops. I had an embedded ball today. Plenty of nice grass around it and dropped. In the old rules, I’d have had to drop in the soggy dead area the ball plugged. That and knee height drops. I love it.

No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

Here is a result of a rule change that has been a big plus for me. Since being allowed to putt with the flag in, groups leave it in longer so when you are trying to use your range finder, you have more time to get the yardage prior to the stick coming out. Definite plus.

There are several that I like, many have already been named - but my favorite is concerning loose impediments in a penalty area and being able to ground the club. It just seems much easier to stay within the rules and knowing what is allowed and what is not allowed.

> @larryw said:

> There are several that I like, many have already been named - but my favorite is concerning loose impediments in a penalty area and being able to ground the club. It just seems much easier to stay within the rules and knowing what is allowed and what is not allowed.

This for me

I like all of them. No penalty for a double hit, clublength drop zone for a lost ball, flag left in hole, drop for OB. I don't keep a handicap but try to play by the rules. Like the knee drop but have a tough time remembering it. Rules guys did good this time.

There are many excellent changes, for me the penalty area freedoms both for player and for clubs enabling red marking anywhere.

Leaving the flag in....I like it. I don't always leave it in, but it's very handy when someone is far away and doesn't have to worry about having someone tend the pin.

I like all of them. Several are quite good including grounding your club in a penalty area, local rule E5, leaving the flag in.

> @Noles said:

> Here is a result of a rule change that has been a big plus for me. Since being allowed to putt with the flag in, groups leave it in longer so when you are trying to use your range finder, you have more time to get the yardage prior to the stick coming out. Definite plus.

Yep. Had this benefit many times and not only does it speed up play on the greens with putting, but also those on the tee box/waiting to hit up to get their measurements and getting ready.

Except for the 1st hole on a local course that had a rule "hit when they pull the flag." LOL. Now it's when they walk off. A little extra time, but it makes sense.

--kC

> @antip said:

> There are many excellent changes, for me the penalty area freedoms both for player and for clubs enabling red marking anywhere.

Agree antip, we have been able to peg areas where players of "lesser ability" are likely to lose pills. Has sped up golf as has leaving the flag in, the other stuff is largely fluff.

Don't know anywhere that has implemented the "irish drop" as a local rule.

My # 1 would be the 3 minute rule if we could get people to actually abide by it :smile:

We have big greens, so flag in/no tending has been helpful. The new OOB option rarely gets used, but its nice when you have a ball you think you can find but don't find it, and don't want to trudge back to the tee.

> @ThinkingPlus said:

> No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

> @bladehunter said:

> > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

>

> Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

Removing the penalty for stepping on your ball during search was needed as well, but it was a rare occurrence. Does alleviate some anxiety though.

> @ThinkingPlus said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

> >

> > Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

>

> Removing the penalty for stepping on your ball during search was needed as well, but it was a rare occurrence. Does alleviate some anxiety though.

True. I like that mostly too come to think of it. But.

. I’ve already heard one cheat already say “ hope I step on it “ while looking for the ball. Any excuse to get their hands on it. Step on it, ball in hand. Now move everything around ( groundskeeping) and then knee drop for a teed up lie. Poof now you’re going at the green from 125.

Most okay by me. The one that has had the most significant and positive impact is being able to putt with the pin in.

> @bladehunter said:

> > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > @bladehunter said:

> > > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

> > >

> > > Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

> >

> > Removing the penalty for stepping on your ball during search was needed as well, but it was a rare occurrence. Does alleviate some anxiety though.

>

> True. I like that mostly too come to think of it. But.

>

> . I’ve already heard one cheat already say “ hope I step on it “ while looking for the ball. Any excuse to get their hands on it. Step on it, ball in hand. Now move everything around ( groundskeeping) and **then knee drop for a teed up lie**. Poof now you’re going at the green from 125.

Not a drop, it's replace it at its estimated spot and lie.

> @rogolf said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > @bladehunter said:

> > > > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > > No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

> > > >

> > > > Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

> > >

> > > Removing the penalty for stepping on your ball during search was needed as well, but it was a rare occurrence. Does alleviate some anxiety though.

> >

> > True. I like that mostly too come to think of it. But.

> >

> > . I’ve already heard one cheat already say “ hope I step on it “ while looking for the ball. Any excuse to get their hands on it. Step on it, ball in hand. Now move everything around ( groundskeeping) and **then knee drop for a teed up lie**. Poof now you’re going at the green from 125.

>

> Not a drop, it's replace it at it's estimated spot and lie.

And that is when integrity is tested.

> @rogolf said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > @bladehunter said:

> > > > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > > No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

> > > >

> > > > Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

> > >

> > > Removing the penalty for stepping on your ball during search was needed as well, but it was a rare occurrence. Does alleviate some anxiety though.

> >

> > True. I like that mostly too come to think of it. But.

> >

> > . I’ve already heard one cheat already say “ hope I step on it “ while looking for the ball. Any excuse to get their hands on it. Step on it, ball in hand. Now move everything around ( groundskeeping) and **then knee drop for a teed up lie**. Poof now you’re going at the green from 125.

>

> Not a drop, it's replace it at it's estimated spot and lie.

Thanks for that clarification, lol. But that makes it worse.

> @bladehunter said:

> > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > @bladehunter said:

> > > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

> > >

> > > Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

> >

> > Removing the penalty for stepping on your ball during search was needed as well, but it was a rare occurrence. Does alleviate some anxiety though.

>

> True. I like that mostly too come to think of it. But.

>

> . I’ve already heard one cheat already say “ hope I step on it “ while looking for the ball. Any excuse to get their hands on it. Step on it, ball in hand. Now move everything around ( groundskeeping) and then knee drop for a teed up lie. Poof now you’re going at the green from 125.

I am shocked. Shocked.

That a cheat would say it loud. I figured it would be more like spotting the ball out of the corner of their eye, and "accidentally" kicking it.

As was said(might have even been you), the rule changes have just made it so those who didn't play by the rules don't have to change a thing, but yet now they're playing by the rules!

> @Bluefan75 said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > @bladehunter said:

> > > > > @ThinkingPlus said:

> > > > > No penalty for ball moving on the green. Best change. Totally de-stresses trying to putt super fast greens in the wind. This is especially a benefit in competition.

> > > >

> > > > Absolutely. Only one I truly think was needed.

> > >

> > > Removing the penalty for stepping on your ball during search was needed as well, but it was a rare occurrence. Does alleviate some anxiety though.

> >

> > True. I like that mostly too come to think of it. But.

> >

> > . I’ve already heard one cheat already say “ hope I step on it “ while looking for the ball. Any excuse to get their hands on it. Step on it, ball in hand. Now move everything around ( groundskeeping) and then knee drop for a teed up lie. Poof now you’re going at the green from 125.

>

> I am shocked. Shocked.

> That a cheat would say it loud. I figured it would be more like spotting the ball out of the corner of their eye, and "accidentally" kicking it.

> As was said(might have even been you), the rule changes have just made it so those who didn't play by the rules don't have to change a thing, but yet now they're playing by the rules!

This was in a club event. Same guy when I hit my ball into green side trap a foot from his ball did this. He gets to the trap first. Then takes and picks his ball up to “ identify “ it. Asks me “ you have two black dots as well “? Knowing full well that I announced on the 1st tee that I had a #5 ball and 3 black dots in a triangle. ( same brand as he) . This is a guy I’ve played with 100 times. He knows my mark. After I remind him that mine has 3 he then says ok and places the ball back down behind the semi fried egg it was sitting in. So it’s teed up. I said nothing. We are both handicap committee members. And me saying something would equal an argument immediately, and blow up the day. My bunker shot is first. Tough down hill short sided. I leave it 4 ft beyond hole. He goes ( identical shot with reed up lie ) and it runs out farther than mine and goes down slope. He makes bogey. I make par. So some poetic justice. After the round , I say something. He of course denies it ; and says “ rules say I can identify my ball now and I don’t have to ask to pick it up “. Several new rules help cheats. Period. Only recourse I have next is to start the fight during the round and take us both out. If you think these people aren’t plentiful. You’re crazy.

I really like not having to make a "provisional decision" on errant shots - or even not errant shots.

dave

Definitely a tie between flagstick and the local rule for lost/OB (my local clubs have enacted). Both speed up play immensely, and 4 hour rounds make me want to stab people.

> @DaveLeeNC said:

> I really like not having to make a "provisional decision" on errant shots - or even not errant shots.

> dave

I guess that there still is 'a decision to be made' as you have to decide whether (assuming the ball is lost outside a penalty area or OB) to take your chances on a provisional. But still it is nice to have a legal way to not go back to the tee and still finish the hole.

dave

Fixing spike marks, now pros cant belly ache and point at the green when they miss a 4 footer.

> @cmagnusson said:

> Definitely a tie between flagstick and the local rule for lost/OB (my local clubs have enacted). Both speed up play immensely, and 4 hour rounds make me want to stab people.

Funny, my group has barely taken the flag out at all, and voila!, we are now playing in..... eactly the same amount of time as last year. It has not sped up play....