USGA Proposes to Modernize Rules of Golf

[Stuart_G]

http://www.golfchann...t-item-graphics

 

Still digesting - but must admit, I'm impressed with most of the proposed changes and the scope they decided to take on.

[toophewbirdies]

http://www.golfchann...t-item-graphics

 

Still digesting - but must admit, I'm impressed with most of the proposed changes and the scope they decided to take on.

 

+1. Seems like a lot of common sense used and some to speed up play, also good for the game!

[CEPick]

Lots to swallow but most seem like positive changes.

[TheCityGame]

There's some amazing rule changes there. Three biggies off the top of my head:

 

1) declaring "penalty areas" such as woods, and desert and playing them as lateral.

 

2) putting with the flagstick in.

 

3) Declaring a ball unplayable in a bunker and pulling it back out of the bunker on a line with the flagstick with a 2 stroke penalty.

[Stuart_G]

I'm guessing that not allowing the Caddie's to help align their player is going to be the most controversial of the proposed changes. But from what I've seen, it's only really an issue for Pro's so I doubt we'll see any general public outcry's on the matter.

 

 

Part of me morns the loss of the opposite side relief option for lateral hazards - but I can see (and don't' disagree with) the positive effect it will have on simplifying the rules.

[TheCityGame]

Also, moving loose impediments in "penalty areas" and being able to ground your club and take practice swings, but not in sand.

[skia4life89]

http://www.usga.org/rules-hub/rules-modernization/text/major-proposed-changes.html

 

 

 

I see some pretty good changes there and I for one am excited. Thoughts?

[fr0sty]

Great changes all around. I hope most of these will make it.

 

Recommendations about prompt play are very good!

[pmadden86]

Will we soon be seeing caddies using DMD's? I hope so!

[mackepa]

how many of these actually get approved is the real question. Personally we should be allowed to use DMD's anytime simply because most courses aren't marked well enough to accurately gauge distance like they are on tour.

[TheCityGame]

Here's a question. . .does this mean there's no penalty for a double hit?

Proposed Rule: Under new Rule 11.1, for all accidental deflections, including when the ball hits the player or opponent or their equipment or caddies:

• There would be no penalty and the ball would be played as it lies (with limited exceptions).
  
• To address any concern that a player might deliberately position equipment to act as a backstop and potentially deflect his or her ball, there would be a penalty if the ball hits equipment that was positioned for that purpose (new Rule 11.2a).
  

[mackepa]

The USGA could do wonders at repairing their reputation by giving us back our sharp grooves and maybe eliminate some of the most penal rules like stroke and distance

[fr0sty]

Most of these should be approved in my opinion. Most of these proposed changes aim to make the game much more enjoyable.

[KevCarter]

Discussion started along with the full list of proposed changes.

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1450508-full-list-of-proposed-rules-changes/

[UCBananaboy]

Still wish they would implement free relief from fairway divots.

[Stuart_G]

This is the USGA's chart on the full list:

 

http://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/2017/rules-modernization/full-list-changes-chart.pdf

[King_Slender]

I think the biggest issue I have might be with the new drop rule. You only need to drop it from at least 1 inch above the ground? That seems rife for abuse with guys looking for a just the right patch of grass to get the ball to sit up in, versus the randomness of dropping from shoulder height, especially in grass that is long where the ball tends to sit down.

 

On grounding in penalty areas - if I'm interpreting that correctly, it's everywhere BUT a sand trap, right (since a sand trap is not technically a penalty area)? I guess that's good and takes away the innocuous "he brushed a blade of grass on his backswing" penalties we sometimes see.

[Mizzylefty]

I'm no rules guru, but at first glance these seem mostly positive and sensible.

 

Glad they left stroke and distance alone, and also the divot thing.

[Stuart_G]

Here's a question. . .does this mean there's no penalty for a double hit?

 

Good question but I don't think so. The USGA's chart lists the old rule effected as only rule 19-2 while the 'double hit' is covered under 14-4. A double hit is (currently) not the same thing as the ball in motion being deflected by ones own equipment or caddie.

[Sebmour]

I love the various proposal about the drops, about the use of the rangefinders and all. Finally no more spike marks in your line.

 

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/test-item-graphics/

 

How about changing the rule on the Out of bound?

 

Chat do you guys think about the revised changes proposed?

[Stuart_G]

On grounding in penalty areas - if I'm interpreting that correctly, it's everywhere BUT a sand trap, right (since a sand trap is not technically a penalty area)? I guess that's good and takes away the innocuous "he brushed a blade of grass on his backswing" penalties we sometimes see.

 

There were (separate) changes for this for both the "penalty areas" and bunkers.

 

Here is the part applicable to bunkers:

 

Proposed Rule: Under new Rules 12.2a and 12.2b, the player would be allowed to touch or move loose impediments in a bunker and would be generally allowed to touch the sand with a hand or club; but a limited prohibition continues so that the player must not:

• Deliberately touch the sand in a bunker with a hand, club, rake or other object to test the condition of the sand to learn information for the stroke, or
  
• Touch the sand in a bunker with a club in making a practice swing, in grounding the club right in front of or behind the ball, or in making the backswing for a stroke.
  

[Frankensteins Monster]

Very good proposed changes. I have two issues. One, the 20in and 80in determination. That now includes a measuring device to get the distances correct. Using two clubs speeds up play. I don't care about someone using a long putter etc. Speed up play.

 

Now that opposite side of the "lateral hazard" has been removed, out of bounds can now, and should, be determined a penalty area.

[Frankensteins Monster]

Very good proposed changes. I have two issues. One, the 20in and 80in determination. That now includes a measuring device to get the distances correct. Using two clubs speeds up play. I don't care about someone using a long putter etc. Speed up play.

 

Now that opposite side of the "lateral hazard" has been removed, out of bounds can now, and should, be determined a penalty area.

[hogans71]

Still wish they would implement free relief from fairway divots.

 

How could this possibly be implemented?

 

Per the proposed changes, I like quite a few of them..

[fsutanker]

Seems that 12.2b leaves the door open for practice swings in the bunker as long as it's not in front or behind your ball?

[skyking]

When discussing the use of distance measuring equipment for tournaments on MD, some were saying thank God it will speed up play on the tours. Cook said well...probably not. OMG.

[Sebmour]

I like most of the proposed rules but I don't agree with the drop change. I hope most are approved and put in play cause they will simply the rules.

 

I hope caddies get to use rangefinders. It would make their work way faster.

 

I agree that relief from fairway divots should be included.

[BillyZ2]

They missed the important rule that should be changed and that is stroke and distance on OB shots. How that slows the game!

[SheriffBooth]

Merged the various topics popping up on this. Let's keep it in General Golf Talk for now, since the Rules subforum is a little more out of the way. Big news, lots of good stuff in the USGA proposal, imo.

[vrnyn]

Lots of good possible changes, anything to speed the game up and make it more enjoyable for the average player.