Golf Forums - January 2019 - New R&A and USGA Golf Rules

After 6 years the R&A and USGA have finally agreed on a new set of rules which will be implemented in January 2019. The number of rules have been reduced from 34 to 24. Below are some key changes and links for more information:

• Search for lost ball, reduced from 5 mins to 3 mins
• Balls lost or out of bounds: Clubs will be able to implement a local rule to provide an alternative to stroke and distance penalties. Instead of having to go back to the Tee, players will have the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball was lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area) at a cost of a 2 stroke penalty
• Dropping the ball, will be changed to knee height
• No penalty for hitting the flagstick when putting
• You will be able to repair spike marks or damage to the green
• Double hits of the ball will count as one stroke
• Players will be able to move loose impediments such as stones in bunkers
• Accidentally moving your ball whilst searching for it, no penalty
• Accidentally moving your ball or ball marker on the putting green, no penalty

For those interested more details can be found at the RandA.org

I think these rules are a positive step for the game and some of these rules should help to keep the place going, and reduce frustration/tempers on the course when a minor mistake is made such as knocking your ball etc.

What do you think?

 Not exactly. Lost ball has not changed  and OOB is drop at point of exit   Just losing a ball in the rough or trees is still a return to last point   The new OOB is only local and has to be applied by club committee, prob won't apply in comps,  The idea is to keep the game moving when a ball has unexpectedly run out  not hoof it into the next county and just drop halfway down the fairway  although that may suit my game 

This is the exact wording of the press release, which does state it's a local rule and does apply to both lost or out of bounds Reference: http://www.skysports.com...changes-to-rules-of-golf Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance: A new Local Rule will now be available in January 2019, permitting committees to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. It addresses concerns raised at the club level about the negative impact on pace of play when a player is required to go back under stroke and distance. The Local Rule is not intended for higher levels of play, such as professional or elite level competitions (Key change: this is a new addition to support pace of play). Below is a link to the R&A video https://www.rules.golf/