New rules

HomerJSimpson said:
Is it just me or are a large percentage of club members be unaware that the rules are changing again (well some parts) and will carry on doing more or less what they like week in week out anyway. Why doesn't the R&A etc do more to publicise the changes (ball moving on the green being an obvious one) and really try and drive people to learn and play within the rules. I'm sure a lot of our members have rule books in lockers or at hme but I'm sure if you did a 1st tee audit in a medal almost none would have a copy to hand. I think the R&A might be missing a trick at grass roots level here. I know the new books will be available free but I just feel more could be done to push it all
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Agree with you there. The fact that some still members don't even realise changes that happened when the current set of rules came in is even more worrying! In fact I have seen some older golfers drop over the shoulder!

You just need to look at some of the rules queries that appear on here to see that basic fundamentals are not covered with golfers. It's all very much down to the player to educate themselves. I was glad to hear the news of the changes being covered on radio 5 though.
 
The way they get these things out under the radar you'd think the R&A was run by a load of ex-RAF WW2 pathfinders (probably is!).

Still lots of things from the last change that a lot of people haven't picked up on.

Haven't had a chance to check out bthe new ones but just a couple of thoughts on some of the above comments.

Re ball on green moved by wind after address not being replaced. That just means the situation is the same as if the ball moved one second before it was addressed. Saves fussing about whether it was addressed or not and if so where it should be replaced, so keeps things consistent and simple.

Re use of a compass. I don't see much advantage but I think I read somewhere that it could help for example with working out which way the grain is growing on the green if it's known to always grow towards the south or whatever. Not that convincing but might be worth bearing in mind.
 
HomerJSimpson said:
Is it just me or are a large percentage of club members be unaware that the rules are changing again (well some parts) and will carry on doing more or less what they like week in week out anyway. Why doesn't the R&A etc do more to publicise the changes (ball moving on the green being an obvious one) and really try and drive people to learn and play within the rules. I'm sure a lot of our members have rule books in lockers or at hme but I'm sure if you did a 1st tee audit in a medal almost none would have a copy to hand. I think the R&A might be missing a trick at grass roots level here. I know the new books will be available free but I just feel more could be done to push it all
Click to expand...

Sorry have to disagree, I am not sure what more the R&A are expected to. Rule books are issued free of charge to all golf club members who want one, there has been extensive coverage on radio five, and they have a web site with an excellent search facility on the rules. All this and club members make no financial contribution to the R&A as far as I am aware.

It surely has to be up to clubs themselves to act to ensure their members know and understand the rules.
 
"The way they get these things out under the radar you'd think the R&A was run by a load of ex-RAF WW2 pathfinders (probably is!)."

And so why are we all talking about the new rules on the day they are announced
 
I may have missed this previously in the thread, but I note there is an amendment to 'Ball in hazard' rule.It is permitted to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time including before playing, 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.

Not sure how this ties in with testing the sand in a bunker before playing ? Presumably if you are in a bunker and don't get out first time, you can rake your footprints etc before playing your next shot ? Clarification gratefully received.:)
 
bobmac said:
5. Distance-Measuring Devices (Rule 14-3)
Even when the Local Rule is in effect, the device must be limited to
measuring distance only. Features that would render use of the device
contrary to the Local Rule include, but are not limited to:
• the gauging or measuring of slope;
.
Click to expand...
Some of the higher end models of laser finders measure the elevation and take that into account to give an "adjusted distance". I take it then that such laser finders will be outlawed?
 
Bash said:
Some of the higher end models of laser finders measure the elevation and take that into account to give an "adjusted distance". I take it then that such laser finders will be outlawed?
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They already are. Most places selling them point out they aren't legal for comps. Still perfectly fine for practice. same as 500cc drivers or self correcting golf balls
 
doublebogey7 said:
"The way they get these things out under the radar you'd think the R&A was run by a load of ex-RAF WW2 pathfinders (probably is!)."

And so why are we all talking about the new rules on the day they are announced
Click to expand...

OK, maybe I was a bit harsh. Intended to be funny rather than strictly accurate. However this is a forum of golf nuts so you'd expect us to be aware of the latest golf news and discussing it. I'm not sure what percentage of golfers use this site or go to the R&A site but I suspect it is a tiny fraction of all UK golfers.

I haven't seen anything at my club by way of flyers, posters etc forewarning of the rule changes or what they might be. Good idea to publicise on Radio 5 live but the R&A has to get the info to golfers in a multitude of ways. Most golfers don't even own a Rule book even though they are free.

We have a couple of months to get our heads round the changes so maybe not so bad. Maybe something will be put up at clubs now it's been announced.

richart said:
I may have missed this previously in the thread, but I note there is an amendment to 'Ball in hazard' rule.It is permitted to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time including before playing, 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.

Not sure how this ties in with testing the sand in a bunker before playing ? Presumably if you are in a bunker and don't get out first time, you can rake your footprints etc before playing your next shot ? Clarification gratefully received.:)
Click to expand...

The old rule allowed you to rake the bunker after you had played a shot, but not before, even if the ball stayed in (exception 2 to Rule 13-4).

I agree this could cause confusion re testing the surface. Only the player will know what his real intention is and even then he may unintentionally find out if the sand is deep or hard or wet etc.

In addition I have many times been in a bunker which is full of footmarks, not necessarily near my ball, but which might be a factor if I don't get the ball out first time and it bounces back off the face. Can I now rake those nice and smooth before I play my shot and give myself a better chance of a good lie if I dont get the ball out, on the basis that I am caring for the course?
 
MashieNiblick said:
However this is a forum of golf nuts so you'd expect us to be aware of the latest golf news and discussing it. I'm not sure what percentage of golfers use this site or go to the R&A site but I suspect it is a tiny fraction of all UK golfers.

I haven't seen anything at my club by way of flyers, posters etc forewarning of the rule changes or what they might be. Good idea to publicise on Radio 5 live but the R&A has to get the info to golfers in a multitude of ways. Most golfers don't even own a Rule book even though they are free.

We have a couple of months to get our heads round the changes so maybe not so bad. Maybe something will be put up at clubs now it's been announced.
Click to expand...

I'm not holding my breath.
Lets face it, many don't know half the rules anyway. I suspect the majority are blissfully unaware that these changes are even taking place, let alone already published.
At my place the only information on the change making a solo player haveing the same standing on the course as a group is a 5 line note on the board, tucked away in a locked safe in a toilet with a sign on the door saying Beware of the Leopard........

If you go hunting for the information then you can find it. Actually getting it out to the Rank and File isn't easy. Even if they do spreads in each magazine - that accounts for maybe 200k. Each Forum maybe another thousand..........
 
I'd like to see clubs printing the rule changes and leave copies of them around the clubhouse...locker room, bar, lounge etc.
Nothing too long winded, just the main changes.
 
Gareth said:
If the only reason for the banning of the compass (if it is) is that it determines wind direction, surely pulling a few snippets of grass and tossing them in the air to determine wind direction should also be banned?
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No problem with you doing that, but if you have a row of trees they could easily create a funnel to give you a false wind direction, and the wind above the trees could be totally different. knowing its the from the west (even if your grass blows the other way) is an advantage.

For me, I don't particularly care how you knew or if you could make an sense of the information. the fact are they are illegal :)
 
I e-mailed the R&A yesterday on the vexed question of the compass. The received the below reply this morning. Very efficient, though would have liked them to have been a little more up front in appendix iv.


"Thank you for your email. question

I can confirm a compass application on a smartphone renders the phone non-conforming as a distance measuring device. A compass can be used to measure gradient or the direction of the grain in the greens or the direction of the wind. As gauging these type of factors is prohibited by the Local Rule, the existence of a compass is a breach of Rule 14-3.

Listing all the means of gauging these factors is not practicable in Appendix IV therefore, there is no specific mention to a compass app. However, the guidance in Appendix IV does clearly state that features that measure these factors (in any way) would render the device contrary to the Local Rule"
 
doublebogey7 said:
I e-mailed the R&A yesterday on the vexed question of the compass. The received the below reply this morning. Very efficient, though would have liked them to have been a little more up front in appendix iv.


"Thank you for your email. question

I can confirm a compass application on a smartphone renders the phone non-conforming as a distance measuring device. A compass can be used to measure gradient or the direction of the grain in the greens or the direction of the wind. As gauging these type of factors is prohibited by the Local Rule, the existence of a compass is a breach of Rule 14-3.

Listing all the means of gauging these factors is not practicable in Appendix IV therefore, there is no specific mention to a compass app. However, the guidance in Appendix IV does clearly state that features that measure these factors (in any way) would render the device contrary to the Local Rule"
Click to expand...

The wind reason is stupid but the direction of the grain of grass? Please tell me that didn't actually write that?
 
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