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2019 Easily missed little changes

jim8flog

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Rather than just continuing on the other thread I thought it would be nice if players who spot a subtle change in the rues that is not well advertised list it

Just spotted this

(1)
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]How to Restore Conditions Improved by Moving, Bending or Breaking Object[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]. Before making the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stroke[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT], the player may avoid penalty for breach of Rule 8.1a(1) by restoring the original object as nearly as possible to its original position so that the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]improvement [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]created by the breach is eliminated, such as by:
• Replacing a
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]boundary object [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT](such as a boundary stake) that had been removed or moving the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]boundary object [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]back into its original position after it had been pushed to a different angle, or
• Returning a tree branch or grass, or an
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]immovable obstruction [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]to its original position after it had been moved.
 
6.2 Playing Ball from Teeing Area
b. Teeing Area Rules

(6) When Ball in Play Lies in Teeing Area. If the player’s ball in play is in the teeing area after a stroke (such as a teed ball after a stroke that missed the ball) or after taking relief, the player may:
• Lift or move the ball without penalty (see Rule 9.4b, Exception 1), and
• Play that ball or another ball from anywhere in the teeing area from a tee or the ground under (2), including playing the ball as it lies.
 
c. Ball Resting against Flagstick in Hole
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]If a player’s ball comes to rest against the
[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]flagstick [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]left in the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]hole: [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]•
[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]If any part of the ball is in the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]hole [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]below the surface of the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]putting green[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri], the ball is treated as [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]holed [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]even if the entire ball is not below the surface. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
 
14.3 Dropping Ball in Relief Area



a. Original Ball or Another Ball May Be Used

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]The player may use the original ball or another [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]ball[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri].



This means that the player may use any ball each time he or she [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]drops [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]or places a ball under this Rule.
[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
 
14.3 Dropping Ball in Relief Area
a. Original Ball or Another Ball May Be Used
The player may use the original ball or another ball
This means that the player may use any ball each time he or she drops or places a ball under this Rule.
Reasons for Change:
 The requirement to use the original ball in some relief situations but not others is confusing, hard to remember and leads to unnecessary penalties. Taking a consistent approach that always allows a player taking relief the choice to substitute a ball or use the original ball is much simpler.
 There is no need for a different procedure based on whether the player is taking relief with penalty or without penalty:
o The penalty is applied for reasons having to do with where the ball ended up (lost, out of bounds, in a penalty area or unplayable), not with which ball is played next.
o For example, if a ball lies in easy reach of the player, there is no reason to require the original ball to be used when taking relief because of interference by an animal hole, while allowing substitution when taking relief because the ball is unplayable.
 This change will eliminate the need when taking free relief to decide whether the original ball is “not immediately recoverable”, which can raise questions in various cases such as when the ball is in a few inches of temporary water or is under a prickly bush.
 This will also draw a clearer and more intuitive line between when substitution is allowed in returning a ball to play and when the original ball must be returned to play:
o Substitution will be allowed only when a player is taking relief under any Rule – that is, when the player is required or allowed to play the next stroke from somewhere other than where the original ball came to rest.
o Substitution will not be allowed when a ball was lifted or moved, and the Rules require it to be replaced on its original spot – in that case, the original ball must still be used (unless it cannot be recovered with reasonable effort and in a few seconds).
 
Reasons for Change:
 The requirement to use the original ball in some relief situations but not others is confusing, hard to remember and leads to unnecessary penalties. Taking a consistent approach that always allows a player taking relief the choice to substitute a ball or use the original ball is much simpler.
 There is no need for a different procedure based on whether the player is taking relief with penalty or without penalty:
o The penalty is applied for reasons having to do with where the ball ended up (lost, out of bounds, in a penalty area or unplayable), not with which ball is played next.
o For example, if a ball lies in easy reach of the player, there is no reason to require the original ball to be used when taking relief because of interference by an animal hole, while allowing substitution when taking relief because the ball is unplayable.
 This change will eliminate the need when taking free relief to decide whether the original ball is “not immediately recoverable”, which can raise questions in various cases such as when the ball is in a few inches of temporary water or is under a prickly bush.
 This will also draw a clearer and more intuitive line between when substitution is allowed in returning a ball to play and when the original ball must be returned to play:
o Substitution will be allowed only when a player is taking relief under any Rule – that is, when the player is required or allowed to play the next stroke from somewhere other than where the original ball came to rest.
o Substitution will not be allowed when a ball was lifted or moved, and the Rules require it to be replaced on its original spot – in that case, the original ball must still be used (unless it cannot be recovered with reasonable effort and in a few seconds).

So des this mean the end of players having to climb trees to positively identify their ball?
 
So des this mean the end of players having to climb trees to positively identify their ball?

That won't, but there is a general relaxation in this area that could - individual circumstance will apply.

The players ball at rest will now be able to be identified

By the player or anyone else seeing a ball come to rest in circumstances where it is
known to be the player’s ball.
• By seeing the player’s identifying mark on the ball (see Rule 6.3a).
• By finding a ball with the same brand, model, number and condition as the player’s
ball in an area where the player’s ball is expected to be (but this does not apply if an
identical ball is in the same area and there is no way to know which one is the
player’s ball).
 
That won't, but there is a general relaxation in this area that could - individual circumstance will apply.

The players ball at rest will now be able to be identified

By the player or anyone else seeing a ball come to rest in circumstances where it is
known to be the player’s ball.
• By seeing the player’s identifying mark on the ball (see Rule 6.3a).
• By finding a ball with the same brand, model, number and condition as the player’s
ball in an area where the player’s ball is expected to be (but this does not apply if an
identical ball is in the same area and there is no way to know which one is the
player’s ball).

I think this is just explicitly stating within the Rule Book what a number of decisions have covered for a while. I can't imagining ruling a ball lost in the circumstances you describe today.
 
I see the yellow posts are to remain ( I thought all penalty areas were going to be red markings/stakes)

Taking relief on the opposite side of the penalty area can now only be taken if there is a local rule allowing it.

See Committee Procedures, Section __
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri](the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Committee [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]may adopt a Local Rule allowing lateral relief on the opposite side of a red [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]penalty area [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]at an equal distance from the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]hole[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]). [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
 
Ground under repair better clarification and new rule

Ground under repair
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]also includes the following things, even if the [/FONT][/FONT]Committee [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]does not define them as such: [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]• Any hole made by the
[/FONT]
[/FONT]Committee [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]or the maintenance staff in: [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings]
[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Setting up the [/FONT][/FONT]course [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri](such as a hole where a stake has been removed or the [/FONT][/FONT]hole [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]on a double green being used for the play of another hole), or [FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings] [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Maintaining the [/FONT][/FONT]course [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri](such as a hole made in removing turf or a tree stump or laying pipelines, [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]but [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]not including aeration holes).




Any
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]animal [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]habitat (such as a bird’s nest) that is so near a player’s ball that the player’s [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stroke [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]or [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stance [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]might damage it, [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]except [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]when the habitat has been made by [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]animals [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]that are defined as [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]loose impediments [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT](such as worms or insects).


[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
 
Match Play

If the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]opponent’s [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]ball in motion needs to be [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]holed [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]to tie the hole and the ball is deliberately deflected or stopped by any person at a time when there is no reasonable chance it can be [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]holed [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT](such as when the ball has rolled past the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]hole [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]and will not roll back there), the result of the hole has been decided and the player wins the hole (see Rule 11.2a, Exception).
 
What about the smokers
•
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Not Allowed. [FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings] [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Using an artificial object to get other wind-related information (such as using powder to assess wind direction [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
 
6.1 Starting Play of a Hole
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]a. When Hole Starts
[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]A player has started a hole when he or she makes a [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stroke [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]to begin the hole. [/FONT][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]The hole has started even if the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stroke [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]was made from outside the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]teeing area [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri](see Rule 6.1b) or the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stroke [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]was cancelled under a Rule. [/FONT][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
 
10.1
• [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]If a ball that has come to rest is wobbling (sometimes referred to as oscillating) but stays on or returns to its original spot, it is treated as being at rest and is not a moving ball.
[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
 
10.2
(3)
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]No Setting Down Object to Help in Taking Stance[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]. A player must not take a [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stance [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]for the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stroke [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]using any object that was set down by or for the player to help in lining up his or her feet or body, such as a club set down on the ground to show the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]line of play[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT].
If the player takes a [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stance [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]in breach of this Rule, he or she cannot avoid penalty by backing away from the [FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]stance [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]and removing the object.
 
What this thread, and many others in this section go to show is that a/ there are some impressive people on this forum who really know their stuff. Hats off to you. b/ for regular golfers the rules are way to complicated and convoluted. c/ for people new to the game or thinking of playing the game the current rules are both scary and off putting.
 
What this thread, and many others in this section go to show is that a/ there are some impressive people on this forum who really know their stuff. Hats off to you. b/ for regular golfers the rules are way to complicated and convoluted. c/ for people new to the game or thinking of playing the game the current rules are both scary and off putting.

Yes I agree with that - please keep this little snippets coming
 
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