Possible Rule Changes

[Lord Tyrion]

You can't have it all LP. The agreed common enemy at the moment is slow play. That is taking priority over the odd whacked putt against a flag. Based on how often people hit the flag I think it is okay to try this out.

 

[Fish]

- don't like the rule.

Aren't these just proposals currently though, they'll do some test playing to them and listen to feedback from many quarters, hence the delay in bringing them into play, so isn't there a possibility they won't all get sanctioned?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Yes these are proposals for discussion and feedback purposes, which is why this thread isn't in the rules section, as they aren't rules yet.

 

[Rlburnside]

Some great one in there that will really help the game keep flowing I think! Good work R&A, but I echo why wait so long lets get playing them now.

p.s. way to cheese off half the LPGA with not allowing caddie alignment on shots! :whoo:

The flag will also stop a poorly hit putt from going too far - don't like the rule. People normally wait until pitch marks repaired and balls marked which give plenty of time for a players to remove the flag

Think this is a good proposed change, might stop a poorly hit put going to far but on the other hand there are times you put / chip from edge of green and hits the pin and deflects the ball which might otherwise have gone in.

 

[duncan mackie]

Re: Rules of Golf Changes - 2019

Will also be very interested to hear what the rules guys on here think about the apparent dumbing down of the current set.

I'm still working my way through the draft 151 page rule book to try and understand whether it really is a dumbing down....early indications are that there are some significant aspects that I've not seen any comment on (here) as well as a load of comments on things that aren't changing (as usual).
And then there's the matter of the new Handbook, and how that will fit in...
Huge amount to digest - and that's just to understand if things are really being dumbed down!

Snap shot suggests that it's more about 'combing them out' ie realigning all the elements to try and help people comprehend both the structure and content. This has merit - but, IMO, assumes a level of involvement with the rules that simply doesn't exist.

 

[Snelly]

Re: Rules of Golf Changes - 2019

All great changes as far as I can see. Should help to improve the amateur game.

I love the flag in the hole rule. It is already in place at the RAC Club and having experienced this, it definitely improves the speed of play and helps to reduce the crowning around holes.

The pros? Largely irrelevant to them in terms of speeding up play in my view. I can already see Jason Day tapping down fifteen spike marks per green. The only thing that will speed them up is penalty strokes. Two ball of professionals? Get round in 3 hours 30 minutes or you drop 3 shots as a penalty.

Problem solved.

 

[backwoodsman]

Re: Rules of Golf Changes - 2019

I'm still working my way through the draft 151 page rule book to try and understand whether it really is a dumbing down....early indications are that there are some significant aspects that I've not seen any comment on (here) as well as a load of comments on things that aren't changing (as usual).
And then there's the matter of the new Handbook, and how that will fit in...
Huge amount to digest - and that's just to understand if things are really being dumbed down!

Snap shot suggests that it's more about 'combing them out' ie realigning all the elements to try and help people comprehend both the structure and content. This has merit - but, IMO, assumes a level of involvement with the rules that simply doesn't exist.

This ^^^ :thup:

Am still reading the draft, but so far not sure they are especially making anything simpler - which was one of the aims - but in many cases just saying the same thing in different words

 

[AmandaJR]

The flag will also stop a poorly hit putt from going too far - don't like the rule. People normally wait until pitch marks repaired and balls marked which give plenty of time for a players to remove the flag

Didn't Dave Pelz or someone test how many putts dropped with/without the flag in and proved more drop when the flag is out - suggesting to have it removed when chipping? I prefer flag out when I can see the hole and prefer not to have it attended when off the green as folk trampling all over the hole and often on the wrong side and shadow interfering etc etc...I think it will speed up play on the greens.

 

[oltimer]

what about the birds that remove divots early morning looking for worms I have seen them do it.
In equity if you are on the fairway you should have a fairway lie NOT a crater from someone else's divot.
I take big divots and always replace them but God help anyone who ended in one of mine if a bird removed it.

In equity if you are in the Rough you should a less than perfect lie but the proposals leave it open to some to have in effect a preferred lie.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The flag will also stop a poorly hit putt from going too far - don't like the rule. People normally wait until pitch marks repaired and balls marked which give plenty of time for a players to remove the flag

No different from putting from the fringe and doing the same thing. To be honest the number of times poor putters hitting it way too hard will hit the flag anyway is minimal and chances are for every bit of luck they get they will have three putted many more times. Can't see the issue

 

[clubchamp98]

In equity if you are in the Rough you should a less than perfect lie but the proposals leave it open to some to have in effect a preferred lie.

I agree will not speed up play if players are arguing that someone has made their lie better by kicking it "accidentally " while searching or picking it up for identification without witness.

 

[USER1999]

Strangely, they are not changing the water hazard rules, which every one gets wrong. If anything needed changing, its that one.

 

[Slab]

Strangely, they are not changing the water hazard rules, which every one gets wrong. If anything needed changing, its that one.

I thought I saw a reference to them being reclassified as Penalty Areas (suggesting some other changes might be happening, but I haven't read it through yet)

 

[clubchamp98]

Strangely, they are not changing the water hazard rules, which every one gets wrong. If anything needed changing, its that one.

Play a bit in Florida most courses if you hit it wide have lateral hazards marked by red stakes .
This is mainly because there are dangerous things in there but also speeds up play as you drop where it crossed 1 shot penalty.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Most seem to make sense to me, never really understood why hitting the flagstick in a penalty if on the green and if off the fairway it wasn't, just seemed a rule for a sake of a rule.

Also like no being able to tap down any spike marks on the green. And agree with reducing looking time, some people don't like giving up a ball, so less time would be good.

The caddies lining up players was always mad and never understood why that should be allowed.

 

[guest100718]

Most seem to make sense to me, never really understood why hitting the flagstick in a penalty if on the green and if off the fairway it wasn't, just seemed a rule for a sake of a rule.

Also like no being able to tap down any spike marks on the green. And agree with reducing looking time, some people don't like giving up a ball, so less time would be good.

The caddies lining up players was always mad and never understood why that should be allowed.

It will still be a penalty to hit the flag sitck.... juts not if its oin the hole

 

[Doon frae Troon]

The real reason for slow play is players waddling along instead of walking at a decent pace and the 5 minute blether on every tee before a ball is struck.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

not sure about the OOB rule, so open for abuse.

Also the removing loose impediments and grounding in penalty area are tosh, are you in hazard or not??? is water a lose impediment?? hang on let me just get my pump and drain this out

Why not just stop marking hazards?

 

[pogle]

not sure about the OOB rule, so open for abuse.

Also the removing loose impediments and grounding in penalty area are tosh, are you in hazard or not??? is water a lose impediment?? hang on let me just get my pump and drain this out

Why not just stop marking hazards?

Which part of the OOB rule is open to abuse?

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Which part of the OOB rule is open to abuse?

We have a few shots with OOB where it is so hard to tell where you crossed OOB, very easy for a dominating person to gain 50 or so yards if there is uncertainty where it crossed. i.e. cannot see it cross or cannot find the ball.

Old rule no doubt where your playing from. Maybe if they want to soften OOB rule drop the penalty stroke? so second shot from the tee. I don't know personally i would not change OOB rule as the current ne is very clear, the new one could be abused in certain circumstances