One of our New Year's resolutions must be learning the new golf rules that came into effect on the 1st January. The main changes have simplified some of the rules and are designed to speed up play.
Some very helpful videos are available on the Golf Australia website. Here is a link to help you find them 2019 New Rules
I have included a summary of some of the main changes below.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the rules and your Committee will do everything we can to help.
Make sure you carry a copy of the new Rules of Golf book.
While playing this month, talk to your playing partners about the new rules - help each other learn.
We will have a some quizzes and discussion after golf on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Dropping the ball
- Drop from knee height (not from shoulder height).
- The area of relief is based on the longest club in your bag (except putter).
- Must now drop and play from the relief area - ie if the ball rolls out of the relief area you must drop again.
- When dropping back-on-the-line, your ball cannot be played from nearer the hole.
Searching for the ball
- You are allowed only 3 minutes to search for your ball - down from the current 5 minutes. Make sure to check the time before you start searching.
- If you accidently move the ball when searching for it - replace it without penalty.
On the green
- There is no penalty if your ball hits the flagstick when you have chosen to leave it in the hole. This is designed to help speed up play.
- You may repair spike damage and other shoe damage on the putting green.
- No penalty if you accidently move the ball on the putting green. The ball must be replaced in its original position.
- If the ball marked, lifted and replaced on the putting green is then moved by wind to another position - replace the ball on the original spot.
Penalty areas
- Penalty areas replace water hazards. You can move loose impediments, ground your club and take practice swings in penalty areas just as you can on the fairway or in the rough.
- You can't take relief from a penalty area unless you are at least 95% certain your ball is in the penalty area. If not certain you must consider the ball lost and play from original position with a one stroke penalty (stroke and distance).
Bunkers
- You may now move loose impediments.
- You cannot touch the sand with your club in the area right in front of or right behind the ball, during your back swing or while taking practice swings.
- If you consider your ball unplayable, you now have an extra option available. For 2 penalty strokes you may take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball.
Other
- Free relief is allowed if your ball is embedded on the fairway or in the rough. (Embedded means that part of your ball is below the level of the ground). This relief only applies if the ball is in its own pitch mark - not if the poor lie is a result of another player's stroke ie a pitch mark.
- There is now no penalty for a double hit - it only counts as one stroke.
- No penalty if your ball accidently hits you or your equipment after your stroke.
- You cannot have your caddie or your partner standing behind you once you begin taking your stance.
- Pace of play - it is recommended that you take no longer than 40 seconds to make a stroke. Ready golf is encouraged.
Jane Clifford
Women's Captain