RULES OF GOLF
ISSUE 01-12
15 Feb 12
RULES REVISIONS
Every four years the USGA & the Royal & Ancient Golf Associations issue changes to the Rules of Golf which have been considered during that period. (Each year in between, minor issues are addressed and often result in a limited number of changes to the Decisions section (primarily clarifications, deletions, but sometimes new decisions).) I'll address in this issue the changes to the Rules that affect our up-coming 2012 season.
DEFINITIONS
Addressing the ball. The player has now been deemed to have addressed the ball when he grounds his club in front of or behind the ball. Taking his stance is no longer considered in this definition. Two considerations must be noted: Rule 18-2b (Ball Moved After Address) (see below), and the removal of the concept of addressing a ball in a hazard.
RULES
Rule 1-2 (Exerting Influence on Movement of a Ball or Altering Physical Conditions)
The player shall not “intentionally” try to influence the movement of any ball in play, nor shall he alter physical conditions with the “intent” of affecting the play of the hole. Penalty is Loss of Hole in match play, or two strokes in stroke play.
Rule 6-3a Time of Starting
This change implements a previous Note under the Rule (which needed to be invoked by The Committee prior to each tournament). A player is now able to play, so long as he arrives at his first tee, ready to play, within five minutes of his assigned tee time. He is penalized Loss of the first Hole in match play, or two strokes in stroke play. Should he arrive later than five minutes, he is disqualified.
Rule 12-1 Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball
Rule 12-1a is rewritten to clarify that a player may move sand, “anywhere” on the course, to attempt to find and identify his ball. After finding the ball, he must recreate it's lie as nearly as possible. If it was moved during the search, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced and its lie recreated. The player may leave a small portion of the ball exposed.
Rule 12-1b clarifies that if a player believes his ball may be covered by loose impediments in a hazard, he may move the loose impediments but only to the extent necessary to find and identify his ball. When identified, he must replace the loose impediments, and may leave a small portion of the ball visible. Should his ball move during this process, he is assessed a one stoke penalty under Rule 18-2a and his ball must be replace.
Rule 13-4 Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
This Rule is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard, at anytime, so long as it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course. (Portions of this Rule which prohibit “testing the condition of the hazard” are still in force.)
Rule 18-2b Ball Moving After Address
A new exception is added which removes the penalty for a player where it is known or virtually certain that he did not cause the ball to move (e.g.- a gust of wind moved the ball). While he is not penalized, he “must” play the ball from its new position, rather than replacing it.
Rule 19-1 Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency
An outside agency deflecting or stopping a ball in motion would be like a dog picking up the ball or a ball hitting the cart of a fellow-competitor. A note has been added to the Rule to clarify how the player is to proceed when the deflection or stoppage occurred deliberately. Please read the Rule as there are several circumstances to cover.
Rule 20-7c Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play
Should a player incur a two stroke penalty for playing from the wrong place, he is now absolved of additional penalties which may have been associated with his actions (e.g.- improperly substituting a ball, placing a ball when it is required to be dropped, etc.). In prior issues, I've talked about USGA math (2+1=2). This is now clarified with this change.
APPENDIX IV
This is a new appendix and it gives specifications for certain golfing equipment (e.g.- tees, gloves, shoes, etc.). It also clarifies the usability of distance measuring devices. Specifically, distance measuring devices are “not permitted” under the Rules, unless The Committee has invoked a Local Rule permitting their use.
Should the devices be so permitted, they must be capable “only of measuring distance”. Should they have other capabilities such as determining slope/elevation, wind velocity, wind direction, temperature or the like, the device is “not permitted” whether the capability is disengaged or not.
Devices such as smart phones and PDAs are only permitted when an application for distance measuring is loaded on the device and no other application that may assist the player in making a shot are installed, whether or not they are used.
RULES OF AMATEUR STATUS
A number of clarifications are provided which further define the difference between amateurs and professionals. I believe we are all amateurs and play for the challenges which the game affords, and not for financial gain or as a means of making a living. I'll leave it up to any of you that have interest to read this section.
Q&A
Should anyone wish to forward a Rules of Golf question directly to me, please do so by email to: and put “LMGA Rules” in the subject line. In a following month's issue, I will plan to include your question and my answer, so that all LMGA members can benefit.
Respectfully
Jim Overocker, chair
LMGA Rules Committee