USGA Announces New Interpretations Of Golf Rules

[Gxgolfer]

September 27, 2005

 

Far Hills, N.J. – The United States Golf Association and The R&A, golf’s governing bodies, have announced 111 changes to the book “Decisions on the Rules of Golf,” published every two years and effective for all golfers starting Jan. 1, 2006.

 

The 2006-2007 Decisions book includes 37 new Decisions and 66 revised Decisions, while eight Decisions have been withdrawn.

 

Each year The R&A and the USGA receive thousands of requests to clarify the Rules for on-course incidents that have occurred at all levels of the game, throughout the world. With changes to the Rules of Golf established on a four-year rolling cycle, the ability to publish official interpretations of the Rules in the Decisions book every two years is helpful to the game. The book contains more than 1,200 individual Decisions, which are set out in question-and-answer format.

 

A noteworthy change is the governing bodies’ sanction of the use of distance measuring devices, including GPS-based systems and laser rangefinders. New Decision 14-3/0.5 allows a Committee to permit the use of distance-measuring devices by Local Rule. This applies to devices that measure distance only, not any other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g., wind or gradient). In the absence of such a Local Rule, the use of a distance-measuring device remains contrary to the Rules.

 

The latest Decisions book also gives a Committee the ability to help the player who has signed for the correct score, but on another player’s score card. Mark Roe and Jesper Parnevik were disqualified from the 2003 British Open in such circumstances. In the future, such an error can be corrected without penalty. Revised Decision 6-6d/4 gives a Committee the authority to strike the wrong name from an otherwise correctly completed score card without a time limit.

 

Another new Decision (Decision 16-1e/2) helps the player who makes a putting stroke with his feet inadvertently positioned on an extension of the line of putt behind the ball, something often done to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt. In this instance, the player will not now be penalized under Rule 16-1e, which has as its true purpose the prevention of “croquet style” putting.

 

A significant revision to Decision 4-3/1 is also a feature of the 2006-2007 Decisions on the Rules of Golf. A liberalized interpretation of what is considered to be the “normal course of play” will allow the repair or replacement of a damaged club in more circumstances, provided that the club was not abused.

The new edition of Decisions on the Rules of Golf will be available in mid-December and can be purchased for $15.95 (or $12.95 for USGA Members and Regional/State Amateur Golf Associations) by calling the USGA Order Department at (800) 336-4446 or through the USGA Web site at www.usga.org.

 

Amendments For The 2006-07 Decisions On The Rules Of Golf Book

 

New Decisions

 

1-2/1.5 Competitor Alters Line of Play of Fellow-Competitor

 

1-2/3.8 Player Jumps Close to Hole to Cause Ball to Drop; Ball Does Not Move

 

1-2/7 Player Purposely Deflects Partner’s Ball in Motion on Putting Green

 

4-4a/14 Player Carries Pieces of Broken Club

 

6-4/5.3 Additional Persons Carry Items for Player

 

6-8b/9 Resumption of Play; When Players Must Be Present

 

6-8d/3 Player Who Drops Ball Immediately After Committee Has Ordered Resumption of Play Subsequently Lifts Ball Under Rule 6-8d(ii)

 

8-2b/2 Caddie Attending Flagstick Advises Player to Aim at His Foot

 

9-2/3.5 Player Refuses to Tell Opponent How Many Strokes He Has Taken

 

10/4 Order of Play for Provisional Ball Other Than from Teeing Ground

 

13-2/8.7 Player’s Area of Intended Stance Affected by Another Player’s Stroke

 

13-2/12 Player Presses Down Sand Behind Ball in Grounding Club

 

13-4/35.8 Player Deems Ball Unplayable in Bunker, Announces His Intention

 

to Proceed Under Rule 28a Outside Bunker and Then Rakes Bunker on New Line of Play

 

14-3/0.5 Local Rule Permitting Use of Distance Measuring Device

 

14-3/10.5 Use of Stretching Devices

 

16-1e/2 Player Plays from Stance Astride Extension of Line of Putt Behind Ball

 

16-2/4 Ball Overhanging Lip of Hole Moves When Flagstick Removed

 

16-2/5 Ball Overhanging Lip of Hole Moves and Strikes Flagstick During Removal of Flagstick

 

17/3.5 Reflector on Flagstick

 

18-2a/30.5 Ball Moves After Removal of Loose Impediment Near Ball

 

20-5/2 Player Proceeding Under Rule 20-5 Drops Ball on Different Part of Course

 

20-6/4 Substituting Ball When Re-Dropping

 

20-6/5 Player Drops Ball Under Rules and Then Wishes to Replace Ball in Original Position

 

20-7/2.5 Ball Deemed Unplayable in Water Hazard; Another Ball Is Dropped in Hazard But Player Realizes Error Before Playing

 

23/5.5 Status of Insect-Like Creatures

 

25-1c/2.5 Ball Dropped Under Rule 25-1c with Reasonable Evidence; Original Ball Then Found

 

25-2/8 Ball Embedded in Teeing Ground

 

26-1/3.5 Ball Dropped Under Water Hazard Rule with Reasonable Evidence;

 

Original Ball Then Found

 

27-2a/4 Three Balls Played from Same Spot; Only Second Ball Was Provisional Ball

 

30-3/1 Examples of Rulings in Four-Ball Match with Concurrent Singles Matches

 

30-3/2 Effect of State of Match Penalties in Four-Ball Play

 

33/8 Application of Disqualification Penalty in Competition in Which Not All Scores Used to Determine Winner

 

33-8/40 Local Rule Clarifying Status of Material Similar to Sand

 

34-3/1.5 Committee Error and Scoring in Stroke Play

 

34-3/3.3 Player Placed at Serious Disadvantage Due to Incorrect Ruling

 

34-3/7 Player Proceeds on Basis of Ruling; Subsequent Facts Prove Ruling to Be Incorrect

 

34-3/8 Player Proceeds on Basis of Ruling; Player’s Version of Facts Subsequently Found to Be Incorrect

 

Revised Decisions

 

1-1/1 Two Balls in Play Simultaneously at Different Holes

 

Reference to Rule 2-3 changed to Rule 2-1.

 

1-2/5.5 Player Purposely Stops or Deflects Ball; Where Next Stroke Must Be Played From

 

Amended to address the situation where the player has deflected rather than stopped his ball in motion after a stroke.

 

1-2/6 Player Removes Loose Impediment Affecting Lie of Opponent or Fellow-Competitor in Hazard

 

Answer expanded to explain that the opponent or fellow-competitor is not required to replace the loose impediment.

 

1-4/5 Removal of Obstruction in Hazard Would Move Loose Impediment

 

Answer expanded to clarify the penalty if the player fails to replace the loose impediment

 

1-4/12 Player Breaches Rules More Than Once Prior to Stroke; Whether Multiple Penalties Applied

 

Expansion of example under Principle 4 and edits to chart of principles.

 

2-1/1.5 Players Agree to Consider Hole Halved During Play of Hole

 

Reference to Rule 2-3 changed to Rule 2-1.

 

2-1/4 Two Holes Purposely Omitted in Match

 

Reference to Rule 2-3 changed to Rule 2-1 (Formerly 2-3/3).

 

3-3/0.5 Guidelines for Determining Which Ball Counts When Player Proceeds Under Rule 3-3

 

Reference to Withdrawn Decision 3-3/5.5 removed.

 

4-3/1 Meaning of Damage Sustained in “Normal Course of Play”

 

Meaning of "normal course of play" expanded to include a number of reasonable acts in addition to making a stroke, practice swing or practice stroke.

 

4-3/7 Club Broken While Used as Cane

 

Answer altered to allow replacement of the club due to change in meaning of damage in the ‘normal course of play.’

 

4-3/9 Club Broken Due to Habit of Hitting Head of Club on Ground

 

Answer altered for consistency with interpretation of meaning of damage in the ‘normal course of play.’

 

4-4a/13 Player Practices with Another Player’s Club

 

Answer revised to reflect that a breach did not occur because the stroke did not count in the player's score rather than that it could not count.

 

6-6a/7 Different Score Card Returned

 

Clarified to include examples of why the original score card was not returned and to explain that the returned score card met the requirements of Rule 6-6.

 

6-6d/4 Competitor's Scores Recorded on Score Card with Fellow-Competitor's Name and Vice Versa

 

Amended to recommend that the Committee rectify this administrative error by changing the names on the score cards.

 

6-8d/2 Lie in Bunker Altered Prior to Resumption of Play

 

Reference to Decision 20-3b/5 removed due to revision to that Decision

 

6-8d/4 Ball Visible from Tee Disappears While Play Suspended

 

Answer clarified to explain that the player must proceed in accordance with Rule 6-8d(iii) -- Formerly 18-1/2.

 

7-1b/5 Competitor’s Caddie Practices on or Tests Putting Green Surfaces of the Course Before Stroke Play Round

 

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

 

8-1/2 Exchanging Distance Information

 

Revised to specify that the distance between any objects is a matter of public information and therefore not advice.

 

9-2/2 Incorrect Information Given by Caddie or Partner

 

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

 

9-2/3 Wrong Information on Strokes Taken Given Voluntarily

 

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

 

9-2/5 Incorrect Information Causes Opponent to Lift His Ball-Marker

 

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

 

9-2/7 Incorrect Information Given by Player Corrected Before Opponent Makes Next Stroke But After Opponent Has Conceded Player’s Putt

 

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

 

9-2/14 Incorrect Information Causes Opponent Mistakenly to Think He Has Putt for Half; Opponent Holes Putt and Then Error Discovered

 

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

 

9-2/15 Wrong Information After Play of Hole; When Penalty Applicable

 

Clarified to be consistent with Rule 9-2 regarding its use of the term 'wrong information.'

 

12-1/5 Player Kicks Ball While Probing for It in Water in Water Hazard

 

Answer expanded to clarify that the movement of the ball was not directly attributable to the act of probing for the ball; therefore, a penalty was incurred under Rule 18-2a.

 

13-2/26 Natural Object Interfering with Swing Moved to Determine Whether It Is Loose

 

Answer revised to clarify that the player is in breach of Rule 13-2 if he moved a growing natural object other than for the purpose of determining whether it was loose or if he failed to replace such an object if it was not loose.

 

13-2/29 Worsening and Then Restoring Line of Play

 

Answer expanded to clarify that the player may not restore any areas covered by Rule 13-2 that he may have worsened prior to his stroke.

 

13-4/25 Taking Firm Stance in Bunker Some Distance from Where Ball Lies in Bunker to Simulate Next Stroke

 

Question modified to reflect that it is not relevant whether the player is holding a club.

 

13-4/35.7 Player Deems Ball Unplayable in Bunker, Lifts Ball and Then Removes Loose Impediment from Bunker

 

Answer revised to permit the player to remove the loose impediment without penalty if he has stated that he will proceed under Rule 28a and he does so.

 

13-4/36 Smoothing Irregularities in Bunker After Stroke But Before Ball Extricated

 

Reference to "test consistency of the sand during the first stroke" in the Answer deleted as the smoothing is specifically permitted by Exception 2 to Rule 13-4

 

14-2/4 Caddie Inadvertently Stands on Extension of Line of Play Behind Ball

 

Revised to clarify that Rule 14-2b is applicable regardless of the part of the course on which the ball lies prior to the stroke.

 

14-3/1 Distance Meter Attached to Golf Cart

 

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

 

14-3/2 Pencil or Score Card Used to Assist in Gauging Distance

 

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

 

14-3/3 Standard Spectacles and Field Glasses

 

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

 

14-3/5.5 Electronic Device Providing Distances Between Various Points

 

Reference to Decision 14-3/0.5 added to clarify that distance measuring equipment may be permitted by Local Rule.

 

14-3/10 Use of Training or Swing Aid During Round

 

Reference to Decision 4-4a/7 expanded for clarity.

 

14-3/13.5 Golf Ball Artificially Warmed

 

Amended to clarify that the use of a ball which was warmed prior to the stipulated round is not a breach of Rule 14-3.

 

14-3/14 Electronic Instrument Used to Find Ball

 

Answer expanded to clarify that the ball itself may be used only if it conforms with the Rules including any applicable conditions of competition.

 

14-3/16 Use of Electronic Devices

 

Reformatted and expanded to provide examples of uses of various electronic devices that would or would not be a breach of Rule 14-3.

 

15/5 Original Ball Found and Played After Another Ball Put into Play

 

Amended in light of the revision to Decision 27-1/2.

 

15/9 Ball Thrown into Bounds by Outside Agency and Played; Caddie Aware of Action of Outside Agency

 

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

 

15/13 Stray Ball Dropped Under Unplayable Ball Rule But Not Played

 

Revised to clarify that the stray ball which is dropped is an improperly substituted ball; not a wrong ball.

 

16-1a/11 Raised Tuft of Grass on Line of Putt Brushed to Determine Whether It Is Loose

 

Answer revised to clarify that the player is in breach of Rule 16-1 if he moved a growing natural object other than for the purpose of determining whether it was loose or if he failed to replace such an object if it was not loose.

 

16-1b/3 Ball Lifted from Putting Green; Ball Replaced While Another Ball in Motion Subsequently Deflects Ball

 

Revised to clarify that A's ball was not on the putting green when B made his stroke from the putting green.

 

16-1d/6 Caddie Roughens Surface of Putting Green But Player Does Not Benefit

 

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

 

18-2a/12.5 Player Entitled to Relief Without Penalty from Condition Lifts Ball; Chooses Not to Take Relief and Wishes to Proceed Under the Unplayable Ball Rule

 

Answer expanded to explain that the player may proceed directly under Rule 28a without incurring a penalty under Rule 18-2a.

 

18-2a/24 Ball Moved by Flagstick When Measuring

 

Revised to clarify that a ball moved by a dropped flagstick has not been moved in a manner directly attributable to the act of measuring.

 

18-2b/10 Ball Falls into Hole After Being Addressed

 

Answer expanded to clarify that the player's ball has not been holed.

 

19-2/1.5 Ball Moves Prior to Address and Is Accidentally Stopped by Player's Club; Player Removes Club and Ball Rolls Away

 

Amended to clarify the penalty incurred if the player fails to replace his ball on the spot at which it was stopped.

 

20-3b/5 Lie of Ball to Be Replaced Altered and Spot Where Ball Originally Lay Not Determinable

 

Answer expanded to clarify the circumstances under which the player must proceed under Rule 20-3b and those under which he must proceed under Rule 20-3c.

 

20-7c/4 Competitor’s Ball Played by Fellow-Competitor; Competitor Substitutes Another Ball at Wrong Place, Plays It and Then Abandons It and Plays Out Original Ball from Right Place

 

Question modified to reflect that Rule 15-3 provides the proper procedure for Player A to follow when his ball is played by another player and is the applicable Rule under which he is penalized when he proceeds improperly.

 

21/3 Whether Ball Cleaned Through Act of Caddie Throwing It to Player

 

Question revised to clarify that the player's ball did not lie on the putting green when it was lifted.

 

23-1/7 Loose Impediment Affecting Lie Moved When Ball Lifted

 

Amended to clarify the penalty incurred if the player fails to replace the loose impediment.

 

24-2b/20 Interference by Line or Mark on Ground Consisting of Lime or Paint

 

Answer expanded to clarify that a Local Rule may be adopted declaring such areas to be ground under repair.

 

25-1b/26 Player Unaware Ball in Water Hazard Takes Relief from Interference by Burrowing Animal Hole

 

Answer expanded to clarify that the player has proceeded under an inapplicable Rule thus he is permitted to correct his error under Rule 20-6.

 

25-1c/3 Ball Played in Ground Under Repair Area Lost in Same Area

 

Expanded to clarify that the ball did not cross the outermost limits of the area of ground under repair when it was played from within that area and that the player is entitled to relief without penalty under Rule 25-1b if, after having dropped a ball under Rule 27-1, he has interference from this condition.

 

26-1/16 Point Where Ball Last Crossed Margin of Lateral Water Hazard Determined and Ball Dropped; Point Then Proves to Be Wrong Point

 

Amended to clarify that the player may drop a ball in accordance with any of his options under Rule 26-1 when correcting his error.

 

27-1/2 Original Ball Found Within Five-Minute Search Period After Another Ball Dropped

 

Revised to specify that Rule 20-6 does not apply as the player has substituted a ball under an applicable Rule (Rule 27-1).

 

27-1/2.3 Original Ball Found Within Five-Minute Search Period After Another Ball Dropped; Original Ball Played

 

Revised to specify that the original ball, if played, is a wrong ball because the original ball is no longer the player's ball in play in view of the Revision to Decision 27-1/2.

 

32-1/3 Determination of Honor in Handicap Stableford Competition

 

Question clarified through the removal of unnecessary information.

 

33-1/9.5 Breach of Transportation Condition by Caddie

 

Reference to Rule 6-4 changed to Rule 6-1.

 

33-8/13 Local Rule for Ball Deflected by Power Line

 

Answer expanded to clarify that the Local Rule may include supporting poles which are located such that they interfere with play of the hole.

 

33-8/34 Local Rule Establishes Ball Drop or Dropping Zone; Procedure for Dropping

 

Part (e) of Answer amended to include Rule 20-2c(vi).

 

34-2/5 Referee Reverses Ruling Made at last Hole of Match After Players Leave Putting Green

 

Clarification of circumstances under which ruling may be corrected.

 

34-2/6 Referee Reverses Ruling After Player Subsequently Plays a Ball

 

Clarification of circumstances under which ruling may be corrected.

 

34-3/3 Player Plays Based on Incorrect Ruling; Procedure for Player When Error is Discovered

 

Clarification of circumstances under which ruling may be corrected.

 

Withdrawn Decisions

 

3-3/5.5 Procedure If Both Original and Second Balls Dropped in Wrong Place and Played

 

6-4/2 Who May Serve as Caddie

 

8-1/2.5 Players Exchange Distance Information to Determine Order of Play

 

11-3/2 Lifting Ball in Play But Still Within Teeing Ground

 

16/6 Cutting Hole on Slope

 

26/7 Ball Apparently in Water Hazard Found Outside Hazard After Another Ball Played Under Stroke-and-Distance Procedure

 

33/4 Direction Posts

 

33-1/9 Breach of Condition Prohibiting Golf Carts

 

Re-Numbered Decisions

 

2-1/3 Hole Inadvertently Omitted in Match; Error Discovered After Match Concluded (Formerly 2-3/2)

 

2-1/4 Two Holes Purposely Omitted in Match (Formerly 2-3/3)

 

2-1/5 Three Holes Played Out of Sequence in Match (Formerly 2-3/4)

 

2-1/6 Replaying Match When Play Discontinued Instead of Resuming from Where Play Stopped (Formerly 2-3/5)

 

2-3/2 Result of Match When Player Dormie and Opponent Concedes (Formerly 2-3/6)

 

6-8d/4 Ball Visible from Tee Disappears While Play Suspended (Formerly 18-1/2)

[Lord Thomas]

I'm glad that the USGA made the two big changes that they did. Rangefinders are becoming increasingly common, and anything to speed play in a tournament is welcome as far as I am concerned.

 

And if something positive can come out of the Mark Roe disqualification, then it makes the DQ not nearly as painful (although I'm sure Mr. Roe would disagree).

 

-Thomas

[cpa49707]

I'm here from the Government and I'm here to help.

 

Looks like tax code simplification to me.

 

I hope we don't allow range finders at my local course as a local rule.

[dorfblee]

ugh, and I was just beginning to fully understand what was going on . . .

 

hope they have a crib sheet with just the changes.

[BJL]

Belly and long putters survive another year! :fool:

 

The rangefinders with slope adjustment are still illegal, however.

 

BJL