New Rules - what are you for and against?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I think the flag rule might be a giraffe to intended consequences. Nasty downhiller? Hitting it firmer at the flag so it stops might help more than it should. We'll see.

In my experience this rule has worked well when we have tried it out in casual golf. Definitely speeds things up on the green - especially when combined with 'ready golf'.

 

[garyinderry]

I will pretty much be leaving the flag in on all downhill putts unless it leans excessively towards me.

I can see this causing time delays but those are the new rules and as such I will be using that to my advantage when I can.

I will also be happy if they were to revert this rule back to the way it was. It time it may well do.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Really surprised at the negativity towards the flag.

From one game today I can see there being a lot less farting about over a flag then previously.

On social games we never take the flag out and its so easy and quicker.

Will do the same in comps from the new year apart from the closer putts/ Always found when putting from a distance it is easier and much quicker than waiting for someone to get the flag out (tend not to ever ask for it to be attended)

 

[duncan mackie]

Why are you surprised that I find a double hit should still be a penalty?

I'm not; in response to your post I was only surprised at your logic (for the reason given)

However, I would be surprised if a significant number of people on here were to agree with that viewpoint given their posting history.

With so many changes I believe it's more important to look at the principles than the detail in this context - for example I really don't have any view on whether it's a good or bad thing that you can now bounce your ball back into play off your own caddy who's standing OOB without penalty; but the change in principle, and reduction in rules and rulings, associated with the changes that bring it about are welcome.

 

[robinthehood]

Putting with the flag in will be great, now when I hit the ball stone dead I can putt out without having to spend the next ten minutes explaining that its fine to hold the flag in one had and putt out with the other..!

 

[richart]

Really surprised at the negativity towards the flag.

From one game today I can see there being a lot less farting about over a flag then previously.

Totally agree. Played it the other day with Liverpoolphil and Blue in Munich, and thought it definitely quicker. Phil probably miffed that he didn't win as usual.

Quicker and saves traffic round the hole. What's not to like ? I will probably take pin out for putts I fancy holing, so pin in outside a foot.

 

[ger147]

'SHE' said because you no longer have the 2 club roll out, and the ball has to stay within the marked area, it's easier to do that from a lower height.

Not sure that will make any difference in a lot of cases e.g. where slopes are involved. Still seems a pointless change IMO.

 

[duncan mackie]

Not sure that will make any difference in a lot of cases e.g. where slopes are involved. Still seems a pointless change IMO.

It only needs to make a (positive) difference overall to make it non pointless - and as exhaustive tests around the height and size of the relief area have shown it makes a huge difference. Not that much more likely to leave the relief area than dropping from 1" ie there are some situations where it's not going to stay ever, even if placed, but that doesn't make implementation of a change pointless.

 

[duncan mackie]

Totally agree. Played it the other day with Liverpoolphil and Blue in Munich, and thought it definitely quicker. Phil probably miffed that he didn't win as usual.

Quicker and saves traffic round the hole. What's not to like ? I will probably take pin out for putts I fancy holing, so pin in outside a foot.

Left in as opposed to tended, where more than one person will have it tended, will provide a slight reduction in traffic at the hole, and in extreme situations a time save.

For the vast majority of situations on the green it won't make any difference at all, unless someone who would currently have it out from 8ft wants it back in when it's already been removed....at which point things have the capability to get very confused and time-consuming. As ever, what people read and observe on the TV will inevitably influence their choices - and whilst the rhetoric has already started it's what happens on screen that will count. BdeC leaving it in for a down hill 2ft putt could have a very high price!
We will see.

 

[user104]

Rather than start another thread.

i wonder whats the opinion on the new handicap of 54 , that the main reason im trying this game again

 

[Beedee]

I think the flag rule will improve things overall. But the ones that will get the biggest improvment from it are probably the groups that need it least, i.e. the ones that just get one with it anyway. Faffers are gonna faf regardless.

 

[Imurg]

I'm happy with the flag in rule but it has potential to slow things up if some want the flag in and some want it out.
The OOB/Lost ball rule is just a waste of time I think. Too complicated and too open to abuse.
Knee high drop - ok but will it speed things up?
Tapping spike marks etc is, on the face of it a good one but, again, it has the potential to make things slower if some people get excessive.
Not particularly likely but the potential is there.
Moving loose impediments in penalty areas is good as is no penalty for moving your ball in a search...

Generally happy with them though.

 

[Jamesbrown]

Really happy with the flag rule.
Means I can just smack it up to the hole as I go to place my bag near the next tee. Would only do this if I’m short or long 20-30 feet.

 

[Hobbit]

Don't have a problem with the OOB rule change. Its not much different from if you'd hit ball into a water hazard.

Flagstick rule change I don't like. Scenario; Fast, sloping green. You've hit your ball into the green, below the hole. Your opponent has hit his above the hole, and its mega fast going back down to the hole. He plays first and the ball is steaming down the hill, hits the flag and goes in. Nah, don't agree with the rule change.

 

[ger147]

It only needs to make a (positive) difference overall to make it non pointless - and as exhaustive tests around the height and size of the relief area have shown it makes a huge difference. Not that much more likely to leave the relief area than dropping from 1" ie there are some situations where it's not going to stay ever, even if placed, but that doesn't make implementation of a change pointless.

Sorry, not convinced.

 

[duncan mackie]

Sorry, not convinced.

No need to be sorry, and it's neither relevant whether you are convinced or what I've posted is relevant.

The only thing that matters is what happens in practice...and there will be stats presented around all of these things over time!

 

[USER1999]

Double hit. Hard to do intentionally. Has anyone really benefitted from a double hit? Normally it is a poor shot, made no better by a rinky dink. Can't see the problem. It's not like you are flicking it up, and then spanking it. It's chunk, clunk, oops.

 

[TheDork]

Flagstick rule change I don't like. Scenario; Fast, sloping green. You've hit your ball into the green, below the hole. Your opponent has hit his above the hole, and its mega fast going back down to the hole. He plays first and the ball is steaming down the hill, hits the flag and goes in. Nah, don't agree with the rule change.

Rub of the green, these things tend to even out over the course of time, like when you're above the cup a few weeks later. Much like every time you hit it in to the trees, some pop out, some don't, though we always seem to remember the time when they don't and curse our luck, we're a funny bunch us golfers.

 

[ger147]

No need to be sorry, and it's neither relevant whether you are convinced or what I've posted is relevant.

The only thing that matters is what happens in practice...and there will be stats presented around all of these things over time!

Not that it matters, but where I'm coming from is I didn't think there was a problem or issue to solve i.e. the existing rules were fine. And the fact that dropping from knee height is physically more awkward than dropping from shoulder height, for me there would need to be some benefit to be gained to outweigh the more awkward dropping style, and as I said I don't see what the problem was with the existing rules.

But of course the rules folk are far more knowledgeable on the topic than I am, but I personally didn't see any issues with they way we were doing it before.

 

[Hobbit]

Rub of the green, these things tend to even out over the course of time, like when you're above the cup a few weeks later. Much like every time you hit it in to the trees, some pop out, some don't, though we always seem to remember the time when they don't and curse our luck, we're a funny bunch us golfers.

Rub of the green, a few weeks later, doesn't get you back in the club knockout. I agree, that over the course of a season, it'll balance out.