New 2019 rules

[rulefan]

And in the process making it even more confusing for the golfer, especially a visitor? Cant wait to play an away match and ask on every tee if there is a local rule about OOB?

I assume pro golf cant make a tournament rule to not allow it if its a rule of golf?

It is a discretionary Local Rule. Any committee can use it or not. But is is not intended for use by the pros or elite, high level amateur events.

 

[Twire]

And in the process making it even more confusing for the golfer, especially a visitor? Cant wait to play an away match and ask on every tee if there is a local rule about OOB?

I assume pro golf cant make a tournament rule to not allow it if its a rule of golf?

Most clubs put local rules on the back of the score card. It would be quite easy to say this rules in force on xyz holes.

The new rules of golf will be the same for professional and amateur. By using local rules they can get around this.

 

[rulefan]

Could you provide a link for that one as I was unaware of that one and cannot find it on the R&A site.

This is a better link

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/ho...nges/golfs-new-rules-stroke-and-distance.html

 

[Old Skier]

This is a better link

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/ho...nges/golfs-new-rules-stroke-and-distance.html

Thanks, good example. I can see players not even bothering to look especially if the only option could be if they found the ball of going back to the tee anyway.

 

[Colin L]

By giving clubs discretion with a local rule they can use it on one hole, a couple of holes, the whole course..etc, or not at all.

I don 't read the wording of the local rule to suggest it could be applied at certain holes but not at others. Anyway, what would be the point of that?

 

[duncan mackie]

It is essentially removing the provisional ball from play, why would you play a provisional now, no reason whatsoever.

So your tee shot on a 350 yd hole hits a tree in the middle of the fairway around 100 yds out, quite solidly, but you don't see where it goes from there....why wouldn't you take a provisional?

 

[User101]

So your tee shot on a 350 yd hole hits a tree in the middle of the fairway around 100 yds out, quite solidly, but you don't see where it goes from there....why wouldn't you take a provisional?

Of course there may be the absurd odd exception

 

[Twire]

I don 't read the wording of the local rule to suggest it could be applied at certain holes but not at others. Anyway, what would be the point of that?

There will be certain holes on some courses where having this option would be helpful, pace of play, doglegs etc. My question would be, why would you want it on every hole?

 

[jim8flog]

There will be certain holes on some courses where having this option would be helpful, pace of play, doglegs etc. My question would be, why would you want it on every hole?

As someone responsible for writing the local rules the answer is simplicity.

I find it quite amazing that lots of members do not know the local rules any way, now add in one that gets a bit detailed.....

 

[Twire]

As someone responsible for writing the local rules the answer is simplicity.

I find it quite amazing that lots of members do not know the local rules any way, now add in one that gets a bit detailed.....

So are you saying it should be a rule of golf rather than a local rule because your members dont know the local rules? If its introduced at your club as a local rule you just need to tell them it applies to the whole course or holes xyz.

 

[SteveJay]

Having looked at the new rules and comments on this, and other forums, including the Sand Trap, I think this simplifies a lot of often misunderstood or misinterpreted rules. I am all for simplification.

Only one I am not convinced about is the flagstick for putting as I can see that slowing down play as some will want it in (to make a tricky downhiller easier) and others prefer it out.

 

[Colin L]

There will be certain holes on some courses where having this option would be helpful, pace of play, doglegs etc. My question would be, why would you want it on every hole?

I can see no possible difference between one hole and another that would justify applying it only to certain holes. If you give this option at one hole, on what grounds would you deny a player the same option at another? It makes no sense and I'd be astonished if it had even crossed the rule-makers' minds.

 

[rulefan]

Having looked at the new rules and comments on this, and other forums, including the Sand Trap, I think this simplifies a lot of often misunderstood or misinterpreted rules. I am all for simplification.

Only one I am not convinced about is the flagstick for putting as I can see that slowing down play as some will want it in (to make a tricky downhiller easier) and others prefer it out.

I reckon that people won't take long to realise that leaving it in gives a more advantageous outcome most of the time.

 

[rulefan]

I don 't read the wording of the local rule to suggest it could be applied at certain holes but not at others. Anyway, what would be the point of that?

I agree. I can't see why the RBs would allow the rule to be modified to include or exclude parts of the course. It is not mentioned in the wording. Other local rules which permit variation explicitly say so.

 

[Old Skier]

To me it doesn't seem that the authorities even think this is a great idea or they would make it a rule of golf. The excuse that it would speed up play doesn't wash as the slowest players are the pros and elite players so they would benefit from it most.

 

[Twire]

I can see no possible difference between one hole and another that would justify applying it only to certain holes. If you give this option at one hole, on what grounds would you deny a player the same option at another? It makes no sense and I'd be astonished if it had even crossed the rule-makers' minds.

Well that's how it was explained to me tonight from someone I hold in very high regard to the ROG

 

[mikejohnchapman]

In fairness the concept of such LR situation is relatively recent and hasn't really had much chance to create myths... we have DMDs worded to enable the Tour not to accept them, the current situation with 18-1 (which will get resolved) and now this sensible solution to a situation club and social golfers have been requesting for a long time but makes little sense to the elite game.

Can't see any club not implementing it; no downside and loads of upsides. I will happily give any opponent in match play 3 off the tee on the edge of the fairway; and in handicap competitions any advantage will quickly be reflected in a players handicap ie won't exist for practical purposes.

On the other hand you could have a lot more players walking back to the tee when they fail to find their ball after 'only' 3 minutes....

Interesting about the penalty area rule - marking "jungle" area with red lines / stakes. Drop out for a 1 shot penalty.

We have several such areas which are between the fairway and out of bounds. Can see some interesting debates about whether the ball is in the penalty area or OOB.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

It is essentially removing the provisional ball from play, why would you play a provisional now, no reason whatsoever.

Because a decent drive with a provisional would save a shot if you find you are OOB

 

[User101]

Because a decent drive with a provisional would save a shot if you find you are OOB

Excuse my stupidity but how does it save you a shot ? 3 off the tee, playing 4 possibly with a decent provisional. Playing 4 from the fairway after going OOB, or have I missed something.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Excuse my stupidity but how does it save you a shot ? 3 off the tee, playing 4 possibly with a decent provisional. Playing 4 from the fairway after going OOB, or have I missed something.

What if the OOB is far enough away from the fairway even a drop on the edge doesn’t give a shot to the green where as a provisional ball that finds the fairway can. I don’t see many OOB that have a fairway within two club length s