One for the rules gurus.

[jimandr]

Add your thoughts on various proposed rule changes here:


Worth providing this feedback now.

I will be lining all my irons up into a funnel shape towards the hole from now on.

That type of scenario is why the rules are an unintelligible instrument for administering the game currently. Like the tax rules, they try to cover every imaginable possibility and they assume every person playing the game would cheat if they could.

There is probably a definition of accidentally in there somewhere, and if there isn't, there will be by 2019.

As long as people play within the spirit of the game, such problems shouldn't arise. And those who do not play in the spirit of the game will play by themselves, and be playing with themselves.

[Jazz18]

Who's going to carry a f$kin tape measure to know what your drop area is? Surely club lengths is clearer. New drop rules look stupid and please tell me they are not changing the name of hazards to "penalty areas"! Most of them look like a waste of time and some are down right ridiculous. A bit like the USGA and the R&A really.

I wonder how pissed off Anna Nordqvist is about the changes?

[AndyP]

Good to see rules being changed to being more about the vibe.

[3Puttpete]

Who's going to carry a f$kin tape measure to know what your drop area is? Surely club lengths is clearer. New drop rules look stupid and please tell me they are not changing the name of hazards to "penalty areas"! Most of them look like a waste of time and some are down right ridiculous. A bit like the USGA and the R&A really.

I wonder how pissed off Anna Nordqvist is about the changes?

The one who touched the sand in her backswing? Why would she be?

[3oneday]

Good to see rules being changed to being more about the vibe.

that actually sums it up for me.

I've never hit my own bag, often would like to grab a rock out of a bunker and couldn't imagine putting with the flag in. Cheaters will always cheat, but I can't see proper golfers caring.

[AndyP]

Yep, it should be about whether you are creating an advantage for yourself or not. Things like accidentally moving a ball are not creating an advantage.

[Jazz18]

The one who touched the sand in her backswing? Why would she be?

Yep, that's her. Ok, I'll re phrase. I wonder if she is?

[3Puttpete]

Yep, that's her. Ok, I'll re phrase. I wonder if she is?

She'll be ok. There's no change for that situation

[Lagerlover]

She is, most women I've chatted to say they are..

[Dotty]

Who's going to carry a f$kin tape measure to know what your drop area is? Surely club lengths is clearer. New drop rules look stupid and please tell me they are not changing the name of hazards to "penalty areas"! Most of them look like a waste of time and some are down right ridiculous. A bit like the USGA and the R&A really.

80" is still 2 clublengths for a men's 4i (or hybrid).
Or a 5i for taller blokes, 7w for associates, driver/3w for juniors. (Plus any ferrule to butt options.)

20" is two grip lengths.

Still on the fence about the change of terms. It's a part of learning the game.
If the definition changes, such as removing the lateral drop option, then the term 'lateral hazard' is redundant.
But if it currently works, keep it. Like the term glovebox in the car, even though no-one keeps gloves in them. (Or the 'odd' point counting system in tennis.)

[Jazz18]

She'll be ok. There's no change for that situation

Isn't one of the changes that you can ground your club in a bunker? Maybe I misinterpreted one of the changes.

[Jazz18]

80" is still 2 clublengths for a men's 4i (or hybrid).
Or a 5i for taller blokes, 7w for associates, driver/3w for juniors. (Plus any ferrule to butt options.)

20" is two grip lengths.

Still on the fence about the change of terms. It's a part of learning the game.
If the definition changes, such as removing the lateral drop option, then the term 'lateral hazard' is redundant.
But if it currently works, keep it. Like the term glovebox in the car, even though no-one keeps gloves in them. (Or the 'odd' point counting system in tennis.)

I guess the changes, like the handicap system a few years back, will just come around and eventually be second nature. I'm with you though, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I thought there were quite a few unnecessary fixes.

[3Puttpete]

Isn't one of the changes that you can ground your club in a bunker? Maybe I misinterpreted one of the changes.

It is but it's incidental grounding. Not during practice swings or backswing and not immediately on front of or behind the ball.

[Steve]

Can you get relief from an item that is out of bounds, like a big rock. Ball is in play, object is not part of the boundary fence or line however impacts the stance and swing

[Dotty]

You wouldn't get relief from a big rock, if it was inside the boundary.

I assume you mean an immovable obstuction outside the course, like a street sign.

[Steve]

The actual item is irrelevant, except that it is not part of the boundary. Sign do you get a drop, big rock can you move it.

[3Puttpete]

It's out of bounds, it's not an obstruction.

[Steve]

It's out of bounds, it's not an obstruction.

So play as it lies?

[3Puttpete]

Or take an unplayable

[Steve]

That is my understanding as well

[Johnny Canuck]

Exactly.

Can’t get relief from something outside the boundary.

Be a man, bank it off the object and don’t do a Yoss and hit yourself in the face.

[Daves]

So play as it lies?

Yep. You can stand OB to hit it, but you can't take relief as nothing OB is considered an Obstruction.

[Toxic]

Quick query for the rules officianados.

Par 3.
I hit my 1st tee shot, tug it left into ugly scrub.
Play provisional ball, knock it to 6 inches.
Guaranteed bogey 4 awaits.


A) When can i declare the 1st ball lost?

B) if my playing partner finds it, do i have too play it?

[3Puttpete]

Quick query for the rules officianados.

Par 3.
I hit my 1st tee shot, tug it left into ugly scrub.
Play provisional ball, knock it to 6 inches.
Guaranteed bogey 4 awaits.


A) When can i declare the 1st ball lost?

B) if my playing partner finds it, do i have too play it?

You can't declare a ball lost. It's either lost or it's not.

You don't have to play it. You can abandon it and go back to the tee and hit 3.

[Toxic]

You can't declare a ball lost. It's either lost or it's not. You don't have to play it. You can abandon it and go back to the tee and hit 3.

Cheers, so in the case i proposed what is the outcome?