From 1 January 2019 the old 34 Rules of Golf were replaced by 24 New Rules.
This is a summary of some of the major changes to the Rules of Golf and a change to some terminology used in the game
- Dropping Procedure (Rule 14)
- Taking Relief (Rule 14.3)
- Searching for your ball (Rule 7)
- Penalties (Rule 1.3c)
- The Putting Green (Rule 13)
- Distance Measuring Devices
- Yellow Penalty Areas and Red Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
- Bunkers (Rule 12)
- Embedded Ball (Rule 16.3)
- Caddies/Assistance (Rule 10.3)
- Pace of Play
Dropping Procedure (Rule 14)
Knee Height Drop
Drop from knee height (no longer from shoulder height).
First Contact
The ball must first make contact with the ground within the Relief Area.
Two Club Lengths
The ball can no longer roll up to two club lengths if this takes the ball outside of the Relief Area.
No Nearer The Hole
When dropping back-on-the-line, your ball cannot be played from nearer the hole than your chosen Reference Point.
Back on The Line
When dropping back-on-the-line the Relief Area is one club length from your chosen Reference Point.
Taking Relief (Rule 14.3)
When you may need/want to take relief:
Identify The Reference Point
The reference point is the nearest point of Complete Relief
Marking The Reference Point
You do not have to mark the Reference Point, but good practice would support marking the spot
Measuring The Distance
Measure the distance from the Reference Point using the longest club in the bag (excluding the Putter) to define the Relief Area.
Good practice would also support marking the extremity of the Relief Area
Where To Play From
Play MUST be from within the Relief Area
Searching For Your Ball (Rule 7)
Permitted Search Time
This has been reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes
Accidentally Moving The Ball
If you accidentally move your ball when searching for it, you must replace it.
There is no penalty.
If you are unsure where the ball was when you moved it, estimate it’s position.
Penalties (Rule 1.3c)
Double Hits
There are no penalties for a double hit or indeed multiple hits (it only counts as one shot) (Rule 10.1a)
Ball Hits You Or Your Equipment
There are no penalties if your ball rebounds and hits you or your equipment accidentally after a stroke. (Rule 10.1a)
Hitting The Flagstick
The is no penalty if your ball strikes the unattended flag-stick when you have chosen to leave it in the hole (Rule 13.2a)
The Putting Green (Rule 13)
Repairing Spike Marks
You can now repair spike marks and other damage on the putting green
Ball Accidentally Moved
A ball accidentally moved on the putting green MUST be replaced. There is no penalty
Ball Moved By Natural Forces
A ball that has been marked, lifted and replaced on a putting green is then moved by Natural Forces (eg wind or gravity) to another position MUST be replaced on its original spot
Ball Moved Before Being Marked
A ball that is on a putting green that is moved my natural forces before being marked, lifted and replaced MUST be played from its NEW position
Wrong Green Relief
When taking relief from the wrong green you MUST take full relief from the green (previously you could stand on the wrong green to play your next shot)
Distance Measuring Devices
Distance Measuring Devices
These are now allowed unless there is a Local Rule prohibiting them
Yellow Penalty Areas and Red Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
Water & Lateral Hazards
These now replace Water Hazards and Lateral Hazards
Penalty Areas
The recommendations is that all Penalty Areas are marked in RED, although marking Penalty Areas in YELLOW is a local decision for each club to make
Loose Impediments
Loose impediments can be moved, you may ground your club and take practice swings in a penalty area (just the same as in the general area)
Penalty Area Relief
You can’t take relief from a Penalty Area unless you are 95% certain that your ball is in the Penalty Area
Dropping On The Opposite Margin
The option of dropping the ball on the opposite margin of a Red Penalty Area is no longer available, unless it is provided by a Local Rule.
Bunkers (Rule 12)
Touching The Sand
If your ball is in a bunker, you cannot touch the sand with your club in front or behind the ball, during your backswing or during practice swings
Unplayable Lies
For an unplayable ball in the bunker, there is a now an extra option – to drop outside the bunker (back in line) for an additional penalty shot (ie 2 Penalty shots in total)
Loose Impediments
Loose impediments can be moved, (stones, leaves etc) in a bunker, provided you do not move your ball. If the ball moves it must be replaced and there is a penalty of one shot
Free Relief In A Bunker
If you are entitled to free relief in a bunker (from temporary water, GUR, or an animal hole) you have an extra option to drop outside the bunker (back in line) for one penalty shot.
Embedded Ball (Rule 16.3)
Ball Embedded On The Fairway
Free relief is allowed if your ball is embedded on the fairway or in the rough (i.e. in the General Area), unless a local rule prevents this.
The Reference Point
The reference point is immediately behind the pitch mark and the Relief Area is one club-length from that point, not nearer the hole.
Caddies/Assistance (Rule 10.3)
Standing Behind A Player
Your caddie, playing partner or another Team Member cannot stand behind you (to give you a line, check alignment) once you begin taking your stance
Marking The Ball
Your Caddie may NOT mark, lift and replace your ball without your explicit permission, except on the putting green or when you are taking relief. Your partner in foursomes or fourball betterball golf may do so at any time.
Pace of Play
Ready Golf
Ready Golf has been actively promoted to improve the pace of play in stroke play events since 2017
Time Per Shot
Players should be encouraged to take no longer than 40 seconds to make a stroke
Terminology Changes
| Old | New |
|---|---|
| Through The Green | The General Area |
| Nearest point of relief | Nearest point of complete relief |
| Play prohibited | No Play Zone |
| Water Hazard | Penalty Area |
| Outside Agency | Outside Influence |
| Casual Water | Temporary Water |
| Abnormal Ground Conditions | Abnormal Course Conditions – Includes Temporary Water, GUR, Animal Holes & Immovable Obstructions |
