The Rules of Golf are changing in 2019 and there are several changes that stand out to me. Earlier this week I watched a short YouTube video from Rick Shiels discussing a few of the changes you need to be aware of. Then I found a list of 20 of the most important changes. Below I will list and react to these. Keep in mind, I play golf every week/weekend and while I don’t play a lot of competitive golf, I try to play by the Rules of Golf. Some of these rules are good and will potentially increase pace of play. Some, though, are silly and unnecessary. Let’s discuss.
1. Search time – Reduced from 5 to 3 minutes
I LOVE this change. You don’t need 5 minutes to find your golf ball. If you don’t see it, after 1 or 2 minutes, accept it and drop. Will be curious to see if any PGA TOUR players are put on the clock for this. Of course TOUR players have a slight advantage of someone seeing where their ball ends up.
2. Ball moving during search – replace (no penalty)
This is a good change. Now, if the move is intentional, there should be a penalty. But if I am kicking through leaves or thick grass, if the ball moves, a penalty is unnecessary.
3. Embedded ball – free relief anywhere
This happens a lot here in SW Florida. It rains a lot here, and there are embedded balls in the middle of the fairway all summer long. It is interesting you get relief from anywhere. Does that mean hazards? Bunkers? This is basically legal “lift, clean and place.”
4. Measuring a drop – Use longest club (except putter)
I always use my driver, so this change doesn’t really affect me.
5. Dropping – knee height rather than shoulder
I don’t like this at all. My knee height isn’t your knee height isn’t Tiger’s knee height. Dropping from shoulder height allows you to put spin on the ball and potentially get a better result. Granted, that is probably why they made this change. But taller golfers have an advantage here.
6. Taking stance on wrong green not permitted
Huh? I honestly have no idea what this means… Can anyone explain it to me?
7. Ball hits player or equipment – no penalty
I honestly didn’t even realize this was a penalty.
8. Double hit – counts as one stroke
Oh, boy. Tiger Woods caused a stir in the Bahamas with this one a few weeks ago. No question he hit the ball twice, but was not given a penalty. Not sure this has ever happened to me during a round, but good to know there isn’t a penalty going forward.
9. Touching sand in bunker incidentally is permitted
In the past, don’t even think about touching sand in a bunker. Now, who will “incidentally” touch sand and try to abuse this rule? A lot of TOUR pros say the bunker shot is one of the easiest shots in golf. I beg to differ!
10. Loose impediments can be removed anywhere
This is absurd! If you are in a hazard, you shouldn’t be allowed to move loose impediments. This includes bunkers…
11. Drop a ball out of a bunker – 2 penalty strokes
Does this include an unplayable lie? I’ve had to do that several times at Tiburón Golf Club. I always drop 2 clubs lengths and keep the ball in the bunker. I am going to need some clarification on this one. Dan, can you please advise?
12. Water hazards now penalty areas
This will help pace of play. Does this mean I can drop where the ball ended up, or still where it entered the hazard? Dan, going to need you on this one, please.
13. Touching ground in water/penalty areas acceptable
NO! You hit the ball in the water/hazard. You should not be able to touch anything. Ugh. Dislike!
14. Ball moves on green after being marked – put back without penalty
You can thank Dustin Johnson for this one. Remember that? It will probably be mentioned as one of the most important moments in golf history.
15. Ball accidentally moved on putting green – replace (no penalty)
Not sure how I feel about this one…
16. Can repair all damage on green
Not sure this will help pace of play, but good to know.
17. Positioning a club for alignment not permitted
Has this ever been permitted? Dan, please explain.
18. Caddie assisting with alignment not permitted
I’ve only played a few rounds with a caddie, so this one doesn’t really affect me.
19. Ball hitting a flag stick on putting green allowed
I’ve been playing golf for a long time… I’ve never seen this happen.
20. Ball wedged against side of hole and flagstick deemed as holed
I could have used this rule in high school. Long story… Maybe I will write a blog post about what happened.
Golfers will also be able to leave the pin in while putting. Bryson Dechambeau said he plans to leave the pin in. I might, too… Especially on longer putts. I bet there will be courses that put in permanent pins where you can’t even take the pin out of the hole. Could be interesting… Will be neat to see what/when TOUR players decide to leave the pin in.
I would love to know how long the R&A has been discussing these changes. I would also love to know what other rules were discussed yet not changed. There are some TOUR players that have been vocal about relief from divots in fairways. Not sure if/when they plan to make any more changes to the Rules of Golf, but that would be a good change.
What do you think of these changes? Do you think any of these will help pace of play?
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[…] Posted on December 31, 2019 by nethanpaul The Rules of Golf are changing in 2019 and there are several changes that stand out to me. Earlier this week I watched a short YouTube video from Rick Shiels discussing a few of the changes you need to be aware of. Then I found a list of 20 of the most important changes. Below I will list and react to these. Keep in mind, I play golf every week/weekend and while I don’t play a lot of competitive golf, I try to play by the Rules of Golf. Some of these rules are good and will potentially increase pace of play. Some, though, are silly and unnecessary. Let’s discuss. 1. Search time – Reduced from 5 to 3 minutes I LOVE this change. You don’t need 5 minutes to find your golf ball. If you don’t see it, after 1 or 2 minutes, accept it and drop. Will be curious to see if any PGA TOUR players are put on the clock for this. Of course TOUR players have a slight advantage of someone seeing where their ball ends up. 2. Ball moving during search – replace (no penalty) This is a good change. Now, if the move is intentional, there should be a penalty. But if I am kicking through leaves or thick grass, if the ball moves, a penalty is unnecessary. Read For More Information – http://rickyleepotts.com/2018/12/rules-of-golf-2019-my-reaction.html/comment-page-1#comment-168311 […]