Explanation for Each Major Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019

Explanatin fr Each Majr Change in the New Rules f Glf fr 2019 Each f these papers explains ne r mre f the majr changes that are described in Summary Chart: The Majr Changes in the New Rules f Glf fr 2019. Each individual paper describes: The current Rule, The Rule change and The reasns fr the change. The fllwing papers are included: # Tpic # Tpic 1 Ball Accidentally Struck Mre than Once 17 Prcedure fr Drpping a Ball in Playing it frm a Relief Area 2 Ball in Mtin Accidentally Deflected 18 Reasnable Judgment in Estimating and Measuring 3 Ball Mved During Search 19 Relief fr an Embedded Ball 4 Ball Played frm the Putting Green Hits 20 Repairing Damage n the Putting Green Unattended Flagstick in the Hle 5 Caddie Lifting Ball n the Putting Green 21 Replacing a Ball When the Original Spt Is Nt Knwn 6 Caddie Standing Behind a Player t Help 22 Standard fr Deciding Why a Ball Mved Line the Player Up 7 Cde f Player Cnduct 23 Substitutin f a Ball Damaged During Play f a Hle 8 Cncept f Penalty Areas t Supersede Water Hazards 24 Substitutin f a Ball Always Allwed When Taking Relief 9 Eliminatin f Oppsite Side Relief fr Red 25 Time fr Search Befre a Ball is Lst Penalty Areas 10 Eliminatin f the Requirement t 26 Tuching the Line f Play n a Putting Green Annunce the Player s Intent t Lift a Ball 11 Encuraging Prmpt Pace f Play 27 Tuching r Mving Lse Impediments r Grund in a Penalty Area 12 Expected Standards f Player Cnduct 28 Unplayable Ball in a Bunker 13 Fixed Distances t be Used fr Measuring 29 Use and Replacement f Clubs Damaged During a Rund 14 Maximum Scre Frm f Strke Play 30 Use f a Distance-Measuring Device 15 Mving r Tuching Lse Impediments r Tuching Sand in a Bunker 31 When t Replace a Ball that Mves n the Putting Green 16 N Penalty fr Mving a Ball n the Putting Green

1. Ball Accidentally Struck Multiple Times During Strke Current Rule: If a player accidentally strikes his r her ball tw r mre times when making a single strke: The player gets a ne-strke penalty in additin t the strke that was made, regardless f the number f times the ball is struck. The ball is played as it lies. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 10.1a, if the player s club accidentally hits the ball mre than nce during a single strke: There will be n penalty and the ball will be played as it lies. If the player deliberately strikes the ball mre than nce while it is in mtin, in additin t cunting the strke, he r she will als get the general penalty under Rule 11.3 fr deliberately deflecting a ball in mtin. Where a duble hit ccurs as part f a single strke and was nt the intentin f the player, it was felt unfair and unnecessary fr the player t be penalized. Just as there is n penalty if a player s ball accidentally deflects ff his r her bdy, equipment r caddie, there is n need fr a penalty when a player accidentally strikes his r her wn ball in making a strke. Accidental deflectins are, by definitin, an accident. When a player s club accidentally strikes his r her ball multiple times it usually results in the ball ging smewhere that the player did nt intend fr it t g. The utcme in such cases is randm and unpredictable, and it results in a disadvantage fr the player as ften as it results in an advantage. Treating all accidental deflectins the same n matter wh r what caused them will simplify the Rules by prviding cnsistency.

2. Ball in Mtin Accidentally Deflected Current Rule: If a player s ball in mtin is accidentally deflected, the utcme depends n what caused the deflectin: If the ball hits the player r his r her equipment r caddie, the player gets a ne-strke penalty and the ball is played as it lies (with limited exceptins). If the ball hits an ppnent r his r her equipment r caddie, there is n penalty but the player has a chice t play the ball as it lies r t cancel the strke and play again. If the ball is deflected by any ther persn, animal r bject, there is n penalty and the ball is played as it lies. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 11.1, fr all accidental deflectins, including when the ball hits the player r ppnent r their equipment r caddies: There will be n penalty and the ball will be played as it lies (with limited exceptins). T address any cncern that a player might deliberately psitin equipment t act as a backstp and ptentially deflect his r her ball, there will be a penalty if the ball hits equipment that was psitined fr that purpse (Rule 11.2a). Many bjects, persns and animals are present n a glf curse during play; it is inevitable that a ball in mtin will smetimes hit them befre cming t rest, and a player is generally required t accept the utcme (whether gd r bad). Just as there is n penalty in strke play if ne player (r his r her equipment r caddie) accidentally deflects anther player s ball, there is n need fr a penalty when a player (r the player s equipment r caddie) accidentally deflects his r her wn ball. Accidental deflectins are, by definitin, an accident and this applies equally t players, caddies and equipment, which are necessarily clse t the area f play. When a player s ball hits the player r his r her equipment, it is usually the result f a prly played sht r an unanticipated utcme, such as when a ball bunces ff a bunker wall r a tree and hits the player, r when a chip sht rlls ver a green and hits the player s cart r glf bag. The utcme in such cases is randm and unpredictable, and it results in a disadvantage fr the player at least as ften as it results in an advantage. Fr the same reasns, there is n need t give the player the ptin t cancel and replay a strke when an ppnent in match play accidentally deflects the player s ball. Treating all accidental deflectins the same, n matter wh r what caused them, will greatly simplify the Rules in varius situatins, such as when a player s ball is deflected by equipment being shared with anther player (such as a glf cart); it will n lnger be necessary t apply cmplicated analysis t decide which player the shared equipment belnged t at that time.

3. Ball Mved During Search Current Rule: If a player mves his r her ball while searching fr it: The player generally gets a ne-strke penalty (there are fur limited exceptins), and When the player des nt knw the ball s exact riginal spt, he r she must return it t play by drpping it as near as pssible t that estimated spt. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 7.4, if a player accidentally mves his r her ball while searching fr it: The player will get n penalty fr causing it t mve, and The ball will always be replaced; if the exact spt is nt knwn, the player will replace the ball n the estimated riginal spt (including n, under r against any attached natural r man-made bjects which the ball had been at rest under r against). A fundamental principle f glf is t play the ball as it lies; s the Rules shuld help the player t find his r her ball and play it frm the spt where it was at rest. Players ften need t prbe in grass, bushes, leaves and ther cnditins t lk fr a hidden ball, and such reasnable acts create an inherent risk f mving the ball. The current Rules allw bth an ppnent in match play, and ther players in strke play, t help search fr the player s ball withut risk f penalty if they accidentally mve the player s ball; utside persns such as spectatrs are allwed t help search as well. It is incnsistent t encurage everyne but the player r his r her caddie (r partner) t lk fr the ball, and this creates an dd incentive fr the player t hld back and let thers search. Because the ball s lcatin isn t knwn befre it is fund, eliminating a penalty in this situatin will be a reasnable exceptin t the bligatin t avid mving a ball at rest. Remving this penalty will nt allw the player t benefit frm excessive actins in searching fr the ball, as there will be a penalty if the player searched in an unreasnable way (that is, beynd what was necessary fr a fair search ) that imprved the cnditins affecting the next strke (see new Rules 7.1 and 8.1). Changing the prcedure fr replacing a ball mved in search will help make sure the ball is played frm its riginal spt r, if that spt is nt knwn, n the estimated spt, including frm a pr lie under grass r ther grwing things: Tday, when a player returns such a ball t play by drpping it as near as pssible t its estimated spt, the ball is typically drpped n tp f the grass r ther grwing things, which can result in a much better lie than the player riginally had. Under the new prcedure, the player will need t replace that ball n its estimated spt n, under r against the grass r ther grwing things, and s face the challenge f playing frm that difficult spt where the ball had cme t rest.

4. Ball Played frm Green Hits Unattended Flagstick in Hle Current Rule: Under Rule 17-3, if a player makes a strke n the putting green and the ball then hits the unattended flagstick that was left in the hle, the player gets the general penalty. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 13.2a(2): There will n lnger be a penalty if a ball played frm the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hle. Players will nt be required t putt with the flagstick in the hle; rather, they will cntinue t have the chice t have it remved (which includes having smene attend the flagstick and remve it after the ball is played). Allwing a player t putt with the flagstick in the hle withut fear f penalty shuld generally help speed up play: Fr example, if a putt is lng enugh that the player cannt easily see the hle unless the flagstick is left in, the player currently needs t wait fr anther persn t attend the flagstick even if it is the player s turn t play r (in strke play) if the player is ready t play and it wuld save time t g ahead and d s. This change culd als speed up play fr shrt tap-ins, as the player culd simply putt the ball int the hle withut first remving and then replacing the flagstick. When the players d nt have caddies, the current Rule can result in cnsiderable delay, such as: When the ppnent (r the ther player in strke play) is raking a greenside bunker and will be delayed fr a minute r tw befre cming n t the green. When ther players in strke play are delayed in cming n t the green fr ther reasns, such as a ball search, indecisin abut what club t use r sht t play, etc. When all players in the grup have lng putts and s will need t walk back and frth t the hle t attend the flagstick fr ne anther (which smetimes prduces uncertainty abut wh will r shuld attend fr smene else). In match play, a player withut a caddie will nw be able t chse t putt with the unattended flagstick in the hle rather than ask the ppnent t attend the flagstick, reducing the ptential fr dispute that can arise when the ppnent attends fr the player (such as when the ppnent fails t remve the flagstick and the ball hits it). On balance it is expected that there shuld be n advantage in being able t putt with the unattended flagstick in the hle: In sme cases, the ball may strike the flagstick and bunce ut f the hle when it might therwise have been hled, and In ther cases, the ball may hit the flagstick and finish in the hle when it might therwise have missed.

5. Caddie Lifting Ball n the Putting Green Current Rule: A player s caddie has n general authrity t mark, lift and replace the player s ball n the putting green: A caddie is treated the same as any ther persn fr these purpses: the caddie may mark and lift the ball nly if authrized by the player, and the caddie may replace the ball nly if he r she was the ne wh had lifted r mved it; and This authrizatin must be given each time the player wants the caddie t lift the ball. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 14.1b: The player s caddie will be allwed t mark and lift the player s ball n the putting green any time the player is allwed t d s, withut needing authrizatin. The caddie will cntinue t be allwed t replace the player s ball nly if the caddie was the ne wh had lifted r mved the ball. There is n cmpelling reasn t prhibit a caddie frm perfrming these purely mechanical acts when the player s ball is n the putting green: A player is already free t mark, lift, clean and replace a ball n the putting green at any time, and thus this happens rutinely. The eliminatin f the penalty fr a player wh accidentally causes his r her ball t mve n the putting green will eliminate any risk that allwing a caddie t mark, lift and replace the ball will result in unfreseen cnsequences t the player. In many places, it is cmmn practice fr caddies t mark, lift, clean and replace the player s ball when it first cmes t rest n the putting green withut authrizatin frm the player, even thugh this is nt permitted under the current Rules. In sme areas f the wrld, this is a cultural expectatin relating t the rle f a caddie. In ther places, this is dne t help with pace f play - fr example, where a caddie is shared by tw players, the caddie may mark, lift, clean and replace ne player s ball (s that he r she can be ready t play) befre ging t help the ther player. This change will als benefit players wh have physical limitatins that make it difficult t bend dwn t mark and lift the ball, withut needing t give the caddie specific permissin each and every time. Giving the caddie this authrity is cnsistent with the limited rle f a caddie: Any player wh prefers nt t have the caddie mark and lift the ball will simply be able t tell the caddie nt t d s. A caddie will still be prhibited frm making strategic chices fr the player, such as deciding t take relief under a Rule, deciding where t drp a ball, etc.

6. Caddie Standing Behind a Player t Help Line the Player Up Current Rule: Under Rule 14-2b: When a player is taking a stance, the player s caddie is allwed t stand behind t help the player line up t the target and cnfirm that the player is crrectly aligned. The caddie must then mve away befre the player makes the strke; therwise the player is penalized if the caddie is psitined n r clse t an extensin f the line f play behind the ball when the strke is made. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 10.2b(4): The current prhibitin will be extended s that, nce the player begins taking a stance fr the strke, and until the strke is made, the player s caddie must nt deliberately stand n r clse t an extensin f the line f play behind the ball fr any reasn. There will be n penalty if the caddie accidentally stands n r clse t an extensin f the line f play behind the ball, rather than in trying t help in lining up. Althugh a player may get advice frm a caddie n the sht t be played, the line f play and similar matters, the ability t line up ne s feet and bdy accurately t a target line is a fundamental skill f the game fr which the player alne shuld be respnsible. Allwing a caddie t stand behind a player taking a stance s as t direct the player hw t line up undermines the player s need t use his r her wn alignment skills and judgment. This practice has been cntrversial fr ther reasns: Many players and thers cnsider it t be distracting. It may delay play, such as when players wait fr the caddie t cnfirm they are crrectly aligned as part f their set-up rutine. We believe that an apprpriate line is drawn between allwing advice frm a caddie and prhibiting the caddie frm being invlved in directing the player in the act f taking a stance t play the ball.

7. Cde f Player Cnduct Current Rule: A Cmmittee may penalize a player fr imprper cnduct (such as dishnesty, ffensive remarks, damaging equipment r the curse, etc.) nly in ne way: If the player is guilty f a serius breach f etiquette, the Cmmittee may disqualify the player frm the cmpetitin under Rule 33-7. But unless sme ther specific Rule is breached, the Cmmittee has n authrity t impse any lesser penalty fr a player s miscnduct. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 1.2b, a Cmmittee will be allwed t adpt a Cde f Cnduct that: Sets the Cmmittee s wn standards fr hw players shuld cnduct themselves, and May set penalties less than disqualificatin (such as a ne-strke penalty r a tw-strke penalty/lss f hle penalty) fr a player s breach f thse standards. The Cmmittee will als still be able t disqualify a player fr serius miscnduct that is cntrary t the spirit f the game, as emphasized in new Rule 1.2a (see Explanatin fr Prpsed Rule Change Expected Standards f Player Cnduct). Sme Cmmittees have requested additinal means under the Rules t allw them t address player cnduct that is cntrary t expected standards that are central t the game (such as curtesy and sprtsmanship). In many cases, disqualifying a player fr inapprpriate behavir will be verly harsh - leaving Cmmittees tday with n way t penalize players fr such behavir. Sme Cmmittees deal with this thrugh disciplinary sanctins utside the Rules (such as warnings, fines, restrictin f playing privileges, etc.), but such methds are nt always effective, apprpriate r practical. Als, as the game s glbal reach has cntinued t expand t include glfers frm many mre cultures and backgrunds, there is a grwing desire t let Cmmittees set and enfrce standards that fit their particular needs and lcal nrms f prper behavir. This has been a particular cncern fr junir glf rganizatins whse missin ften includes teaching yung glfers hw t act while n the curse. The prpsed Rule change will give Cmmittees flexibility t set and enfrce standards f cnduct specific t their cmpetitins and players, shuld they chse t d s.

8. Cncept f Penalty Areas t Supersede Water Hazards Current Rule: Rule 26-1 allws relief with penalty when a ball is in a water hazard (marked yellw) r a lateral water hazard (marked red). These hazards are limited t areas with water r where water may flw; n ther areas may be marked as water hazards, even if they might present similar bstacles t play. Water hazards are intended as the nrm; lateral water hazards are t be used nly when it is impracticable t drp a ball behind a water hazard under Rule 26-1b. 2019 Rule: Under the new Rules, Water hazards will be superseded by the expanded cncept f penalty areas, and Rule 17 will prvide the same basic ptins fr relief that exist under the current Rules: A penalty area will include bth (1) all areas currently defined in the Rules as a water hazard r lateral water hazard and (2) any ther areas the Cmmittee chses t define as penalty areas (with recmmended guidelines t be prvided in the guidebk). Penalty areas may therefre include areas such as deserts, jungles, lava rck fields, etc. The tw types f penalty areas will be knwn by the clur f their marking: red penalty areas (tday called lateral water hazards) and yellw penalty areas (tday called water hazards); and Cmmittees will be given the discretin t mark all penalty areas as red s that lateral relief will always be allwed. The term hazard will n lnger be used in the Rules. The ptins t take relief back n a line behind any water hazard (Rule 26-1b) r within tw club-lengths f where a ball entered a lateral water hazard have becme imprtant fr pace f play, as the player can usually play frm near the hazard rather than having t g back sme distance t play frm where the previus strke was made. It has been recgnized that requiring areas t cntain water seems t be a smewhat arbitrary reasn fr permitting such relief ptins. Fr reasns such as safety and pace f play, many Cmmittees have sught t expand the use f lateral water hazards by marking areas that d nt cntain water and by marking water hazards as red where that is nt specifically cntemplated by the Rules. The brader use f penalty areas will allw Cmmittees t respnd t the wide range f settings in which glf is played by giving relief frm areas that present similar bstacles t existing water hazards such as difficulties with finding and playing a ball and similar practical needs abut pace f play. Giving Cmmittees the discretin t mark all penalty areas as red will make it simpler fr players t learn the relief ptins (as the distinctin between yellw and red water hazards is nt always well understd) and will further help pace f play. Individual Cmmittees will remain free t chse what t mark as a penalty area (and s fr example culd decide nly t mark traditinal water hazards) and when t mark a penalty area as yellw (such as t preserve the challenge f playing a particular hle).

9. Eliminatin f Oppsite Side Relief fr Red Penalty Areas Current Rule: Rule 26-1c prvides tw extra ptins fr taking relief frm a lateral (red) water hazard; the player may drp a ball within tw club-lengths f (and nt nearer the hle than): The pint where the riginal ball last crssed the margin f the lateral water hazard, r A pint n the ppsite margin f the hazard equidistant frm the hle (Rule 26-1c(ii)). 2019 Rule: Rule 17.1d will remve the ptin t take relief n the ppsite side f a red penalty area (the new term that will include what is tday called a lateral water hazard): This means that, when a ball is in a red penalty area, the player will have three ptins fr relief (all fr a ne-strke penalty) rather than fur ptins as tday. But a Cmmittee culd still adpt a Lcal Rule allwing ppsite side relief n thse hles where it believes the ther relief ptins are nt viable. Oppsite side relief is a cmplicated ptin that many players are nt familiar with and that is seldm used. The primary purpse behind this relief was t give an extra relief ptin fr the unusual cases where neither back-n-the-line relief (Rule 26-1b) nr lateral relief n the side where the ball entered the water hazard (Rule 26-1c(i)) seem viable and the player s nly realistic ptin is t take relief under penalty f strke and distance (Rule 26-1a). In practice, ppsite side relief is ften taken when a player actually has adequate relief under ne r bth f the ther relief ptins and thus serves nly t give an unnecessary extra ptin that at times can seem t advantageus. Fr example, where a stream runs next t a fairway and a line f trees r thicker rugh is n the ther side, a ball that is prly played int the trees r rugh and then bunces back int the water can result in the player being allwed t take relief n the fairway. Fr larger bdies f water such as a pnd r small lake, ppsite side relief can allw the player t play frm a cnsiderable distance away frm where the ball entered the water r came t rest and/r t play frm the fairway f anther hle. Remving this ptin may, in rare situatins, result in a player s best (r nly) ptin being strke-and-distance relief; there is nthing wrng with a player smetimes having t prceed under strke and distance. Assessing the relief ptin fr ppsite side relief can take cnsiderable time and s eliminating this ptin shuld benefit pace f play. This change will als help avid any cncern that, with the expanded use f red penalty areas, a player might be able t use the ppsite side ptin t drp n the green side f the penalty area, thereby aviding the challenge f having t play ver the penalty area.

10. Eliminatin f the Requirement t Annunce the Player s Intent t Lift a Ball Current Rule: A special prcedure applies when a player intends t mark and lift a ball in three specific situatins under the Rules: Befre lifting the ball, the player must annunce the intentin t d s t the ppnent in match play r anther player r the marker in strke play, and then allw that persn t bserve the prcess f lifting and replacing the ball. This prcedure applies when a ball will be lifted (1) fr identificatin (Rule 12-2), (2) t see if it has becme unfit fr play (Rule 5-3), r (3) t see if it lies in a cnditin frm which relief is allwed, such as when the ball might be embedded (Decisin 20-1/0.7). 2019 Rule: In all three situatins under the Rules (that is, Rule 4.2c, Rule 7.3 and Rule 16.4): A player will be allwed t mark and lift the ball and prceed under the Rule withut needing first t annunce this intentin t anther persn r t give that persn a chance t bserve the prcess. But the player will still get a ne-strke penalty if he r she marked and lifted the ball withut gd reasn t d s under that Rule. The Rules generally rely n the integrity f the player. In ther relief situatins, including when a ball may be lifted and played frm a different place, players are allwed t prceed under the Rules withut being required t invlve anther persn in any part f the prcess. Fr example, a player may determine that a cart path interferes with the lie f his r her ball r the area f intended stance r swing, find the nearest pint f relief, lift the ball and drp it in the specified area, determine that the ball has cme t rest in the right place, and play the ball all withut having t annunce his r her intentins t anther persn r t allw that ther persn t bserve the prcess t make sure the player acts crrectly. Eliminating the annuncement requirements fr these three situatins will simplify the Rules, bring cnsistency t the apprach f trusting the player and eliminate an unnecessary prcedural penalty fr simply nt infrming an apprpriate persn. These prcedural requirements ften have n practical effect as many players t whm such an annuncement is made decline t bserve the lifting and replacement prcess and thus are cntent t rely n the player s integrity. This change shuld als speed up play because a player will n lnger need t take the time t infrm anther player f the intent t lift and t wait t see if that ther player wants t cme ver t bserve the lifting and replacement f the ball. The requirement fr the player t have a gd reasn t lift under the Rule is a sufficient safeguard against inapprpriate lifting r abuse f the Rule.

11. Encuraging Prmpt Pace f Play Current Rule: Althugh intended t supprt pace f play, the Rules d nt affirmatively emphasize this issue r encurage players t play prmptly: Rule 6-7 prvides nly that undue delay is prhibited and that players must fllw any pace f play guidelines if established by the Cmmittee t prevent slw play. Althugh players are allwed t play ut f turn t save time, this is neither highlighted nr particularly made clear in the text f the Rules. 2019 Rule: Rule 5.6 will encurage prmpt pace f play by recmmending that: Players shuld recgnize that their pace f play affects thers and they shuld play prmptly thrughut the rund (such as by preparing in advance fr each strke and mving prmptly between strkes and in ging t the next tee), A player shuld make a strke in n mre than 40 secnds (and usually in less time) after the player is able t play withut interference r distractin, and Cmmittees shuld adpt a Pace f Play Plicy (rather than nly say they may d s). In additin, new Rule 6.4 will expressly allw playing ut f turn in match play by agreement, and fr strke play, will affirmatively allw and encurage players t play ut f turn in a safe and respnsible way t save time r fr cnvenience (als knwn as ready glf ). By giving players affirmative guidance, supprt and encuragement n prmpt play, these prpsed Rule changes will help in: Setting expectatins fr bth beginners and experienced players n what types f behavir are cnsidered prmpt play, including the maximum amunt f time it shuld nrmally take t make a strke, and Encuraging players t play faster by cnfirming that it is prper t play ut f turn in strke play when it is safe and respnsible t d s (that is, t play ready glf ). Enfrcing pace f play will cntinue t be primarily up t each Cmmittee, as there are limits t what the Rules themselves can d t insist that players play prmptly. Fr example, it is impractical fr the Rules t impse penalties whenever a player des nt cmplete a rund r a hle r make a strke in a time fixed in the Rules: Glf is played in s many different settings and by s many different peple that any such time limits may naturally differ fr any given cmpetitin r curse. There is als n practical way t require all players t fllw (and t enfrce against ne anther) any frm f sht clck fr each strke made during a rund. These changes will enable Cmmittees t pint t specific expectatins set by the Rules when using their authrity t enfrce prmpt play, and encurage every Cmmittee t adpt a pace f play plicy s that all players n the curse, whatever the type r level f play, will knw what is expected f them.

12. Expected Standards f Player Cnduct Current Rule: The Rules address player cnduct in nly a limited and muted way: They set ut n standards f cnduct, except indirectly when giving the Cmmittee discretin t disqualify players fr a serius breach f etiquette (Rule 33-7). The Rules d nt explain what breach f etiquette means, leaving that t Decisin 33-7/8 and a few ther Decisins. Althugh a separate Etiquette Sectin is published in the same bk alng with the Rules, it is nt made part f the Rules (ther than thrugh a few Decisins). 2019 Rule: Rule 1.2a will cnslidate the expected standards f player cnduct: It will declare that players are expected t play in the spirit f the game by acting with integrity, shwing cnsideratin t thers and taking gd care f the curse. It will unequivcally state the Cmmittee s authrity t disqualify a player fr any serius miscnduct that is cntrary t the spirit f the game. In place f the unclear cncept f breach f etiquette, it will use the mre direct and strnger phrases miscnduct and serius miscnduct. Rule 1.2b will als give the Cmmittee authrity t adpt its wn Cde f Cnduct and t set penalties fr its breach (see Explanatin fr Prpsed Rule Change Cde f Player Cnduct). Glf is a sprt in which high standards f cnduct are expected frm players, and the Rules shuld declare this in a clear and direct way. Althugh the current Rule bk has a separate Etiquette Sectin that cvers the mst imprtant aspects f the spirit f the game: The pririties and emphasis f the sectin are unclear, as it als includes mre general recmmendatins n a variety f tpics, and The sectin des nt have the frce f Rules r naturally frm part f a Cmmittee s pwers. Using Rule 1.2a t explain playing in the spirit f the game will help in: Giving mre prminence t the expectatin that all players will act with integrity, shw cnsideratin t thers and take gd care f the curse, and Setting expectatins s that players are n ntice that serius miscnduct in failing t meet thse expectatins culd lead t disqualificatin. Changing the term frm serius breach f etiquette t serius miscnduct will help t distinguish this cncept frm the term serius breach which will cntinue t be used in the new Rules fr an entirely different purpse.

Explanatin fr Rule Change in 2019 13. Fixed Distances Used fr Measuring Current Rule: Club-lengths are used t measure the limits f many areas under the Rules: There is n fixed definitin f a club-length, therefre when measuring a player may chse any club in his r her bag t measure a club-length. Players with lng putters can drp in areas ther players cannt reach. 2019 Rule: A club-length will be defined as the length f the lngest club in the player s bag, except that this cannt be his r her putter. The relief area fr drpping a ball will be a fixed size f either ne r tw club-lengths depending n which relief Rule is being used. The relief area is a fixed size fr each player and is pre-determined based n the clubs the player has selected fr play. The definitin f a club-length as the lngest club ther than a putter will mean that a player cannt chse which club t measure with based n the situatin. Fr example, players will n lnger be able t make a strategic chice abut the size f the relief area by chsing a lnger club s that the player can reach a lcatin that is farther frm the nearest pint f relief r ther reference pint. Using the lngest club fr measuring will minimize the incnsistency in the size f a relief area between players (including eliminating the advantage fr players wh currently can use a lng putter fr measuring).

14. Maximum Scre Frm f Strke Play Current Rule: The Rules nw recgnize tw main frms f strke play: The basic frm f strke play where a player must hle ut at every hle, r else is disqualified (Rule 3), and The Stablefrd frm f play where a pint scring system is used and a player wh scres tw r mre than the fixed scre r des nt finish the hle simply gets zer pints fr that hle (Rule 32). 2019 Rule: Maximum Scre will be a new, additinal frm f strke play: A player s scre fr each hle is capped at a maximum set by the Cmmittee, which may be fixed (such as 6, 8, 10, etc.), related t par (such as tw times par r triple bgey), r related t the player s handicap (such as net duble bgey). A player wh des nt cmplete a hle (ften referred t infrmally as picking up ) will nt be disqualified, but simply gets the maximum scre fr the hle. The need t hle ut n every hle in strke play can have at least tw dwnsides: (1) it ften leads t a slw pace f play, and (2) it may discurage glfers wh feel they n lnger have a realistic chance t cmpete r t make a gd scre fr the rund nce they get a very high scre n ne r tw hles. Maximum Scre will be an alternative frm f play that addresses bth cncerns, by allwing a player t pick up when he r she scres at r abve the maximum and by capping the player s scre fr any hle at the maximum. These are imprtant reasns why Stablefrd is ppular in varius parts f the wrld; Maximum Scre will create a similar frm f strke play, with the difference that scring is by strkes rather than by number f pints. The Maximum Scre frm f play will be unlikely t be used fr elite play, but it may be useful in many ther cntexts, such as fr play by beginners r glfers wh are less skilled r experienced and, mre generally, fr club level and day-t-day play when pace f play is a particular cncern. Like Stablefrd, Maximum Scre culd be used in cnjunctin with handicap systems that set a maximum scre (such as net duble bgey) that can be psted n any hle.

15. Mving r Tuching Lse Impediments r Tuching Sand in a Bunker Current Rule: When a player s ball is in a bunker, Rule 13-4 prvides (with exceptins) that the player must nt: Test the cnditin f the bunker, Tuch the grund in the bunker with a hand r club, r Tuch r mve lse impediments that are in the bunker. 2019 Rule: Under Rules 12.2a and 12.2b, the player will be allwed t tuch r mve lse impediments in a bunker and will be generally allwed t tuch the sand with a hand r club; but a limited prhibitin cntinues s that the player must nt: Deliberately tuch the sand in a bunker with a hand, club, rake r ther bject t test the cnditin f the sand t learn infrmatin fr the strke, r Tuch the sand in a bunker with a club in making a practice swing, in grunding the club right in frnt f r behind the ball, r in making the backswing fr a strke. The challenge f playing frm a bunker is the need t play ut f the sand, nt t play with leaves, stnes r ther lse impediments left in place in the bunker. The current apprach has created cnfusin by stating a ttal prhibitin n tuching the sand with a hand r club and then recgnizing many exceptins. The revised Rule will simplify this by prhibiting nly thse acts where there is a purpse fr ding s under the Rules: Deliberately testing the cnditin f the sand with a hand r club will cntinue t be prhibited because part f the player s challenge is t assess and predict hw the sand may affect the strke, and als because it will be time cnsuming and inapprpriate fr players t dig in the sand with a hand r club fr that purpse befre every sht. Tuching the sand with the club right in frnt f r behind the ball r in the backswing fr the strke will cntinue t be prhibited t make sure the player des nthing t reduce the challenge f playing frm the sand; these prhibitins are already well knwn and fllwed by almst all players. Tuching the sand with a club in taking a practice swing will cntinue t be prhibited bth fr pace f play and t avid having large amunts f sand depsited utside bunkers (especially greenside bunkers) as a result f repeated practice swings.

16. N Penalty fr Mving a Ball n the Putting Green Current Rule: Under Rule 18-2, if a player (r ppnent) accidentally causes the player s ball t mve anywhere n the curse, there is a ne-strke penalty (unless ne f several exceptins applies). 2019 Rule: Under Rule 13.1d, there will n lnger be a penalty if a player (r ppnent) accidentally causes the player s ball t mve n the putting green. The substance f this Rule change has already been implemented as f 1 January 2017 by authrizing Cmmittees t adpt a Lcal Rule that eliminates the penalty fr accidentally mving a ball n the putting green. The shape, slpe and cnditin f many putting greens tday increase the chances that a ball at rest n the putting green might mve, and it can be difficult t determine whether a player caused the ball t mve r whether the ball was mved by wind r ther natural causes. When a ball mves while the player is ding nthing mre than taking nrmal actins t prepare fr a strke, it can seem unfair fr the player t be penalized. Mst ball mved situatins ccur n the putting green, invlve minimal mvement f the ball, frequently ccur when the player is taking reasnable actins t prepare fr a strke and the ball can be easily replaced. These cnsideratins are nt the same when the ball lies ff the putting green, and s the penalty will cntinue t apply (with exceptins, such as accidentally mving a ball during search) t a player r ppnent in thse circumstances t reinfrce the principle that the ball shuld be played as it lies and that players shuld cntinue t exercise care when near t a ball in play.

17. Prcedure fr Drpping and Playing a Ball frm a Relief Area Current Rule: When taking relief (with r withut penalty) under many f the Rules, the player is required t use this drpping prcedure: The player must drp the ball while standing erect and hlding the ball at shulder height and arm s length; r else it must be re-drpped (Rule 20-2a). The ball must first strike the curse in a specified place and must nt strike any persn r equipment befre cming t rest; r else it must be re-drpped (Rule 20-2b). The ball is then t be played frm where it cmes t rest, except that if it ends up in any f 9 specific lcatins (such as nearer t the hle r mre than 2 club-lengths frm where it struck the curse), it must be re-drpped (Rule 20-2c). If the ball cmes t rest in any f thse 9 lcatins when drpped a secnd time, the player must place the ball where it first struck the curse n the secnd drp. 2019 Rule: Players will cntinue t drp a ball when taking relief, but the drpping prcedure will be changed in several ways as detailed in Rule 14.3: Hw a ball may be drpped is simplified; the nly requirement will be that the ball be let g frm knee height s that it falls thrugh the air and des nt tuch any part f the player s bdy r equipment befre it hits the grund. The fcus f the drpping prcedure will be n a specific relief area set by the Rule under which relief is being taken and will be either ne r tw club-lengths frm a reference pint (and may have certain ther limitatins). The ball will need nly t be drpped in and cme t rest in the relief area; and there will be n re-drp requirement if the drpped ball accidentally hits a persn r bject after hitting the grund but befre cming t rest in the relief area. If the drpped ball cmes t rest utside the relief area, it will be drpped a secnd time; if it cmes t rest utside the relief area after being drpped a secnd time it will be placed where it first tuched the grund. If the placed ball will nt cme t rest n that spt after tw attempts, the player will then place the ball n the nearest spt (nt nearer the hle) where it will cme t rest. The new prcedure lwers the height frm which the ball is drpped t increase the chance that it stays within the relief area. Requiring the player t drp a ball (as ppsed t placing it) will retain a desired randmness abut where the ball will end up: The player has n guarantee that the ball will cme t rest n a desired spt r in a gd lie. This is especially the case when a ball is drpped in mre difficult cnditins such as thick rugh r lnger grass.

The new prcedure avids giving players mre relief than necessary: A drpped ball is currently allwed t rll up t tw club-lengths frm where it hits the grund s that, fr example, it can end up being played up t three clublengths frm the nearest pint f relief frm a cart path r grund under repair, r up t fur club-lengths frm where the riginal ball went int a lateral water hazard r where it was unplayable. Requiring the drpped ball t cme t rest in and be played frm the same relief area where it was drpped will make it much mre likely that the ball will be played frm clse t where it riginally came t rest. Allwing the player t drp a ball frm knee height will help t limit the extent t which a ball will embed in sand in a bunker. The new prcedure will mean there will be greater cnsistency acrss all relief prcedures, making it simpler fr players t knw where and hw t drp a ball: Fr example, many times tday a player is required t drp a ball as near as pssible t a certain spt (such as where the previus strke was made r where a ball was embedded) and questins can arise abut whether it was drpped near enugh t that spt. The new prcedure when drpping with reference t a spt will be t drp a ball anywhere in a relief area measured ne r tw club-lengths frm (but nt nearer the hle than) that spt. It will be simpler fr players t knw when t re-drp a ball: A player currently needs t knw the nine re-drpping scenaris in Rule 20-2c; these are difficult t understand and apply and this is a widely misunderstd Rule. Under the new Rule, the player will nly need t knw that the ball must be redrpped if it cmes t rest utside the relief area.

18. Reasnable Judgment in Estimating and Measuring Current Rule: Befre April f 2017, when estimating r measuring under a Rule: The player s judgment in ding s was nrmally given n particular weight r regard; if the player ended up playing frm a wrng place based n a wrng estimate r measurement, even if nly by a small amunt, the player wuld have been penalized. An exceptin was when a player used his r her best judgment t estimate where a ball entered a water hazard, played the ball and then learned that the judgment was wrng; in that case, there was n penalty if it was an hnest judgment (Decisin 26-1/17). In April 2017, a new decisin was intrduced (Decisin 34-3/10) s that when the player estimates r measures a spt, pint, line, area r ther lcatin, his r her reasnable judgment is accepted: If the player did all that culd be reasnably expected under the circumstances t make a prmpt and accurate estimatin r measurement. This means that the player s reasnable judgment is upheld even if later shwn t be wrng by ther infrmatin (such as vide technlgy). 2019 Rule: Decisin 34-3/10 will be incrprated int the Rules as Rule 1.3b(2). The Rules generally rely n the integrity f the player, and this is a natural and apprpriate extensin f this trust in the player. There are many times when the Rules require a player t estimate r measure a spt, pint, line, area r ther lcatin, such as when the player: Uses a ball-marker t mark a ball s spt, and then replace the ball, r Estimates the spt where the previus strke was made when playing again under penalty f strke and distance r when a strke has been cancelled, r Needs t find a reference pint r line fr taking relief (such as the nearest pint f cmplete relief r the line when taking unplayable ball relief), r t determine the extent f a relief area (such as measuring a fixed distance frm a reference pint). Estimates the lcatin f his r her knee when drpping a ball. Such judgments need t be made prmptly, and players ften cannt be precise in ding s. S lng as the player did all that culd be reasnably expected under the circumstances: The player gets n penalty fr small inaccuracies, even if an advantage is gained. There is n penalty in certain situatins where the player s estimatin was significantly wrng but there was effectively n way t have dne a better jb (as may happen when estimating where a ball entered a water hazard r where a ball was at rest befre being mved by an utside influence). Accepting a player s reasnable judgment limits the detailed analysis that can arise frm the use f enhanced technlgy (such as vide review when glf is televised).

19. Relief fr an Embedded Ball Current Rule: In certain circumstances, a player is allwed t take relief when his r her ball is embedded in its wn pitch-mark: Rule 25-2 allws relief nly when a ball is embedded in a clsely-mwn area (that is, an area cut t fairway height r less) that is thrugh the green. But a Cmmittee may adpt a Lcal Rule that extends this relief t a ball embedded anywhere thrugh the green, whether r nt in a clsely-mwn area (except when embedded in sand). In taking relief, the player must drp the riginal ball as near as pssible t where it was embedded and nt nearer the hle. 2019 Rule: The current default psitin in the Rules will be reversed: Rule 16.3 will allw relief fr a ball embedded anywhere in the general area (that is, the area currently knwn as thrugh the green ), except when embedded in sand. But a Cmmittee may adpt a Lcal Rule restricting relief t a ball embedded in thse parts f the general area cut t fairway height r less. In taking relief, the player will drp the riginal ball r a substituted ball within ne clublength f (but nt nearer the hle than) the spt right behind where the ball was embedded. This is an apprpriate exceptin t the principle f playing the ball as it lies because having t play a ball that is stuck in sft r wet grund (whether in the fairway r the rugh) shuld nt be cnsidered part f the nrmal challenge f playing a curse. Allwing relief thrughut the general area is cnsistent with ther relief Rules, which d nt make distinctins based n the height f the grass in the general area. Many Cmmittees thrughut the wrld, frm the prfessinal and elite amateur levels t the typical club level, have adpted the current Lcal Rule. In many cuntries the Lcal Rule is sufficiently well established that glfers assume that the Rules always allw relief anywhere in the general area. Reversing the default psitin will help avid the cnfusin that smetimes exists tday when clubs r players d nt realize that such relief is nt allwed unless a Lcal Rule has been adpted. Basing the relief area n the reference pint right behind the spt f the embedded ball will avid the questin f what t d when a drpped ball cmes t rest in the same pitch-mark where it had been embedded; such a ball will always be re-drpped because it came t rest utside the relief area. Allwing the ball t be drpped within a ne club-length relief area ensures cnsistency with ther free-relief Rules.

20. Repairing Damage n Putting Green Current Rule: Rule 16-1c allws nly limited repair f damage n the putting green: A player may repair any ld hle plug r ball-mark n the green n his r her line f play, whether the ball is n r ff the putting green (this is an exceptin t Rule 13-2). But a player must nt repair any ther damage n the green (such as spike marks, animal damage, etc.) if it might assist in his r her subsequent play f the hle. 2019 Rule: Rule 13.1c(2) allws repair f almst any damage n the green: Damage n the putting green will be defined t include all types f damage (such as ball-marks, she damage, indentatins frm a club r flagstick, animal damage, etc.), except aeratin hles, natural surface imperfectins r natural wear f the hle. The player is allwed t repair damage nly with his r her hand, ft r ther part f the bdy r a ball-mark repair tl, tee, club r similar item f nrmal equipment and must nt unreasnably delay play. Because putting greens are specially prepared fr playing the ball alng the grund, the Rules allw the player t d things n the green that are nt allwed anywhere else: The player may mark, lift and clean a ball n the green at any time, remve sand and lse sil n the green and repair ld hle plugs and ball-marks n the green. Given this philsphy f allwing players t try t have a smth surface fr rlling the ball, there is n cnceptual reasn fr prhibiting repair f ther types f damage (whether made by players, animals, maintenance staff, etc.). This Rule change will eliminate the frequent questins amng players and referees abut whether a particular area f damage n the green is a ball-mark that may be repaired r is a she mark r ther damage that must nt be repaired. This change will als reduce the current tensin between prhibiting a player frm repairing damage while playing a hle and then encuraging the player t repair that damage (such as repairing the ragged edge f the hle r tapping dwn spike marks) as a curtesy t fllwing grups r in care f the curse (Decisins 1-2/0.7 and 1-2/3.5). The cncern has been nted that allwing repair f all damage n the putting green culd slw dwn play if players try t repair t many areas; but we believe this is unlikely t be true fr mst players and that the Rule against unreasnable delay (as well as a Cmmittee s pace f play plicy) can be used t address situatins where a player seeks t make excessive repairs.

21. Replacing Ball When Original Spt Nt Knwn Current Rule: If a player s ball at rest anywhere ff the putting green is lifted r mved under a Rule that requires the ball t be replaced: The ball must be replaced by placing it n its riginal spt (Rule 20-3a). But if the ball s exact riginal spt is nt knwn, the player must get the ball back int play nt by placing it but by drpping it as near as pssible t the ball s estimated riginal spt (Rule 20-3c). 2019 Rule: Under Rule 14.2c, in that same situatin: The ball will always be placed n a spt rather than being drpped. If the exact riginal spt is nt knwn, the player will be required t replace the ball n its estimated spt (including n, under r against any attached natural bjects that the ball had been at rest n, under r against). A fundamental principle f glf is t play the ball as it lies; s this shuld mean that, when a ball at rest is mved, it shuld be returned t and played frm its riginal spt r as clse t that riginal spt as pssible. When a player marks the ball s spt with a ball-marker befre lifting the ball, the riginal spt is knwn and the ball is replaced n the marked spt. But when a ball is accidentally mved, the player may nt knw the exact riginal spt: Currently, if the ball was at rest anywhere ff the putting green, the player must drp the ball as near as pssible t its estimated spt and play the ball frm where it cmes t rest (unless it rlls t where it must be re-drpped under Rule 20-2c). This means that the ball will ften nt be played frm the estimated spt, as the drpped ball is allwed t rll as much as tw-club lengths away frm that spt. It als means that the ball may end up being played frm a better r wrse lie than the riginal lie (such as when the riginal spt was in the rugh and the drpped ball cmes t rest in the fairway, r vice versa; r when the ball had been at rest in deep grass and the drpped ball cmes t rest n tp f the grass). Requiring the player t replace the ball n the estimated spt (including being required t replace the ball n, under r against any fixed r grwing things it had been at rest n, under r against) will help make sure the ball is played frm as clse as pssible t its riginal spt and frm the same r almst the same lie. Replacing the ball n its estimated spt als applies when the player des nt knw the exact riginal spt f a ball that was lifted r mved n the putting green, and s the same prcedure will apply thrughut the curse. This change shuld als make it easier fr players t understand the Rules by eliminating the cnfusing cncept f replacing a ball by drpping it rather than by placing it.