Category: Rules of Golf

Below is a link to an excellent video on the 20 most important Rules changes for 2019. If you have ANY questions don’t hesitate to e mail me and ask. 

 Pace of play has ben a driving factor for many of these changes so hopefully play days may have shorter rounds for you all.  There is a new Local Rule in 2019 for “Out of Bounds and Lost ball” that the NGGA is highly recommending to be instituted at Clubs where pace of play is a serious problem.

The NCGA itself will be using this Local Rule in some of its tournaments next year.  HOWEVER,  it is up to each club to decide if they want to implement its use for play.  Our Tournament Committee, Bonnie Ladd and Donna Grover, will be looking into this for us.  It however should not be used in Club Championship play.  I have pasted a link below to this also.

Remember, any questions, just ask!

 20 New Rules

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chPOtfLUHC0&list=RDchPOtfLUHC0&index=1

New Local Rule, OB Lost Ball

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/golfs-new-rules-stroke-and-distance.html

Hilary

These rules take affect on January 1, 2019 – Not prior to that date!  There will be additional posts over the next few weeks.

 

Ball at rest accidentally moved

There is no longer a penalty if you accidentally moving your ball, or ball marker, when it is on the putting green.  You must however replace your ball where it was before you moved it.

No longer a penalty for moving your ball during a search. The ball must be replaced, but if you don’t know the exact spot you now place the ball on its estimated spot.  The prior rule had you dropping the ball.

Ball in motion

There is no longer a penalty if your ball in motion accidentally hits you or your equipment, your caddie, the person attending the flagstick or a removed or attended flagstick.

Ball struck more than once

There is no longer a penalty if you accidentally hit your ball more than once during a stroke

Embedded ball

You may take relief for an embedded ball anywhere in the “general area” which is the new term for “through the green” but not in the sand.

Dropping a ball

You must now drop the ball straight down at “knee height”, that is the height of your knee when you are in a standing position.  You must not spin or throw the ball, and it must not hit your body or equipment.  If it does, you must redrop the ball

Last one for today, and probably one of the more surprising ones!

Loose impediments in bunkers

You are now allowed to remove loose impediments in bunkers.  Loose impediments are objects such as stones, loose grass, branches, rocks, or leaves.  You are allowed to touch the sand when doing so but you still cannot test the consistency of the sand.

 

 

August Rules Quiz 

1. A player’s ball lies in a hazard when any part of it touches the hazard?

True or false?

2. It is permitted to eliminate an irregularity on the surface of the teeing ground?

True or false?

3. There is no requirement for a player to put an identification mark on their ball?

True or false?

4. A ball is not “Out of Bounds” unless all of the ball lies out of bounds?

True or false?

5. A player who starts a round with 13 clubs may add one more club at any time?

True or false?

6. How many club lengths behind the tee markers may a player tee their ball and still be within the teeing ground?

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS

1. TRUE
2. TRUE
3. TRUE
4. TRUE
5. TRUE a player may add clubs up to the permitted total of 14 as long as the pace of play is not affected
6. TWO CLUB LENGTHS, the teeing ground is defined as “a rectangular area 2 club lengths in depth defined by the outside limits of the two tee markers”.