USGA Announces New Rules for 2012

Hi all, thanks for stopping by. Today we’re going to share with you the three major amendments the USGA made to its rules for 2012. This is the first time both the USGA and R&A have worked together to change golf’s rules. In no particular order, here are the major changes:   Ball Moving After …

Hi all, thanks for stopping by. Today we’re going to share with you the three major amendments the USGA made to its rules for 2012. This is the first time both the USGA and R&A have worked together to change golf’s rules. In no particular order, here are the major changes:

 

  • Ball Moving After Address (Rule 18-2b). A new exception is added which exonerates the player from penalty if their ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that they did not cause the ball to move. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position.
  • Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions (Rule 13-4). Exception 2 to this Rule is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 (improving lie, area of intended stance or swing or line of play) is not breached.
  • Time of Starting (Rule 6-3a). The rule is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.

 

Commenting on the revisions to the Rules of Golf supported by Rolex, R&A Director of Rules and Equipment Standards David Rickman said: “The key point is that the Rules of Golf will remain fundamentally the same. We have undergone a pretty extensive review although what has come out of that has been relatively modest.

“The Rules of Golf are constantly evolving and our hope is that what we have produced for 2012 is clear, informed by common sense and reflective of the demands of the modern game.”

I gotta say, it’s hard to argue with these changes… my next question… what’s next?