Rule changes over last 6 years.

[User62651]

I am tentatively trying to get back into swinging a golf club this year having been crocked physically so forced to be away from the game, I played a lot competitively in the past and considered myself pretty good on the rules of golf when I did play.

Having not played for 6 to 7 years now can anyone outline for me any significant rule changes over that period please.

Thanks.

 

[rosecott]

http://www.ruleshistory.com/

This is a part of leithsociety.com which is the ultimate source of golf rules questions.

 

[rulefan]

I am tentatively trying to get back into swinging a golf club this year having been crocked physically so forced to be away from the game, I played a lot competitively in the past and considered myself pretty good on the rules of golf when I did play.

Having not played for 6 to 7 years now can anyone outline for me any significant rule changes over that period please.

Thanks.

Give me a while. I'll try to dig them out later today.

The website above won't isolate the changes. It just has the full edition of the rules book for each 4 years.

 

[User62651]

Give me a while. I'll try to dig them out later today.

The website above won't isolate the changes. It just has the full edition of the rules book for each 4 years.

Thanks, it was changes I was after rather than the whole rule book. There is a 'local' rule about a ball/marker getting moved on the green incurring no penalty now, that's the only one apart from anchored putters ban (just tour or amateurs too I dont know?) I'd heard of.

 

[Foxholer]

Give me a while. I'll try to dig them out later today.

The website above won't isolate the changes. It just has the full edition of the rules book for each 4 years.

Plus a small 'summary of major' changes - which may/may not indicate the areas that have changed.

Most significant recent ones (imo) have been about 'care of bunkers', ball moving, banning of anchored putters, and (compliant/non-compliant) Distance Measuring Devices (where an LR allowing them is in place).

 

[rosecott]

Give me a while. I'll try to dig them out later today.

The website above won't isolate the changes. It just has the full edition of the rules book for each 4 years.

At the top of the page for each edition, major changes are listed.

 

[rulefan]

Here goes with what I can identify. I haven't specified the change details. I suggest you read the current rule.

Rule 18 has changed a few times. Ignore the intermediate changes, just concentrate on 2016 and the new Local Rule introduced on 1/1/17

2008
Definition of ‘lost ball’ revised.
12-1 Identification of a ball in a hazard now permitted, and consequently playing a wrong ball from a hazard attracts a penalty.
14-3 Distance measuring devices allowed by local Rule. The term “reasonable evidence” replaced by the much stronger requirement of “known or virtually certain”. This revised term is used in the following Rules;
• Rule 18-1 Ball at Rest Moved by Outside Agency
• Rule 24-3 Ball in Obstruction not Found
• Rule 25-1c Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition not Found
• Rule 26 Water Hazards
• Rule 27-1 Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes

2012
Definition of Addressing the Ball - the ball is addressed by grounding of the club, regardless of whether the stance has been taken or not.
13-4 Players may smooth out sand or soil in hazards at any time as long as it is for care of the course and not in breach of rule 13-2.
6-3 Time of Starting
14-3 - Local Rule re DMDs moved to Appendix IV and reworded

2016
6-6d - A new exception (see the exception for full wording).
14-3 - Penalty statement
14-1b - Prohibition of Anchoring

 

[clubchamp98]

I am tentatively trying to get back into swinging a golf club this year having been crocked physically so forced to be away from the game, I played a lot competitively in the past and considered myself pretty good on the rules of golf when I did play.

Having not played for 6 to 7 years now can anyone outline for me any significant rule changes over that period please.

Thanks.

When I joined my club you got relief from a seeded divot but now you don't.

this seemed silly as any other seeded area was GUR.

if your ball moves on the green by wind after addressing it no penalty.

 

[rulefan]

When I joined my club you got relief from a seeded divot but now you don't.

That was never an authorised rule. Although it was commonly used in Scotland with tacit acceptance by the R&A.

 

[clubchamp98]

That was never an authorised rule. Although it was commonly used in Scotland with tacit acceptance by the R&A.

I think it was allowed as a local rule .
I bet the green keepers were not to happy with that change as from a seeded divot there is nothing to put back.

 

[rulefan]

I think it was allowed as a local rule .
I bet the green keepers were not to happy with that change as from a seeded divot there is nothing to put back.

Yes it was a Local Rule but oddly was only ever authorised for use in Scotland.

 

[rulie]

Yes it was a Local Rule but oddly was only ever authorised for use in Scotland.

If really "authorized" at all?

For the greenkeepers - just refill it, not a big issue. I'm sure it didn't happen more than 10 times in a day on any one course.

 

[Colin L]

I'll gloss over the idea that because something was unique to Scotland, it was necessarily "odd".

Part of the reasoning behind removal of the local rule is, as I understand it, that if you allow relief you then have two holes to repair whereas if the player has to play from the seeded hole, there is only one hole to repair.

 

[rulefan]

If really "authorized" at all?

For the greenkeepers - just refill it, not a big issue. I'm sure it didn't happen more than 10 times in a day on any one course.

It was an odd situation. I am reliably informed that the R&A only informed clubs in Scotland. It was withdrawn some years ago.

 

[clubchamp98]

I'll gloss over the idea that because something was unique to Scotland, it was necessarily "odd".

Part of the reasoning behind removal of the local rule is, as I understand it, that if you allow relief you then have two holes to repair whereas if the player has to play from the seeded hole, there is only one hole to repair.

That can't be right as the seeded divot has already been repaired if you take relief and take a divot that is only one hole.

the original seeded divot should be untouched.

 

[rulefan]

That can't be right as the seeded divot has already been repaired if you take relief and take a divot that is only one hole.

the original seeded divot should be untouched.

You only got relief from a 'seeded' divot hole if it had not fully cured and the ball was on it.
Take a new divot, and you now have two places that are not cured. If by mischance you land on one, you now have another place to repair.