09 GOLF GUIDE 2017 M A N I T O B A
Rule changes aimed at making game more accessible
By Todd Lewys C ome January 2019, golfers worldwide will be rejoicing. Why? Because that date will mark the introduction of a new – and vigorously amended – version of the Rules of Golf. “I applaud the efforts of the USGA (United States Golf Association) and R & A (Royal and Ancient Golf Club) of St. Andrews,” says Don MacDonald, a Golf Canada-certified level-four rules official and past president of Golf Manitoba. “It’s been a lot of work, but I believe it’s going to produce a rule book that’s more accessible for all golfers.” He says the reason for that greater accessibility can be attributed to the fact that the rules will be laid out in layman’s language – in a sense, a kind of Rules for Dummies. “The new version of the rule book explains why and how rules work with pictures,” MacDonald says. “It’s going to be so much easier to understand.” That’s a good thing, since most golfers have come to view the Rules of Golf as being onerous and unfair. Incidents involving world No. 1 Dustin Johnson at the 2016 U.S. Open (one-stroke penalty assessed when his ball supposedly moved while he was addressing a putt), and more recently, Lexi Thompson at the recent LPGA ANA Inspiration (four-stroke penalty assessed nearly a day after she improperly marked her ball and failed to put it back in the proper spot) did nothing to change golfers’ negative perception of the rules.
“From what I can see, the USGA and R & A are really trying to make the rules better,” says Bob Fallis, another local level-four rules official and chair of rules officials in Manitoba. “The wording will be different, not nearly as complex and onerous. People will be able to understand the rules much better.” As far as rule changes go, a trio of amendments to existing rules – dropping a ball, searching for a ball and leaving the flagstick in while putting – stand out as some of the positive changes the USGA and R & A have made. “I’m in favour of the changes for the most part,” MacDonald says. “The new drop (where you drop the ball from inches above the turf rather than the present method of shoulder height) will get the ball closer to the original spot, as the player has more control over where the ball is placed.” Next is reducing search time for a lost
ball from five minutes to three minutes. “Again, it will hopefully move the game along better at all levels. Clearly, by reducing search time by two minutes the USGA and R & A are showing a desire to speed up the game. As for leaving the flag in, I’m not as enthusiastic about it,” he adds. “I don’t like the idea of having the stick in when you’re putting from one foot away. I’d prefer for the rule to apply to accidental situations.” Fallis concurs. “I really like the new drop procedure. You drop the ball in a smaller area, and there’s one club less distance so there won’t be as much of the drop, drop, place (the ball) that you see on Tour so often. It will save time. Red stakes will identify a hazard, you’ll take your one club relief, place the ball and go. As for ball searches, most searches exceed the allotted time, so reducing search time by two minutes will help speed things up and will hopefully
encourage more ready golf.” He adds that clearer, fairer rules will not only make things easier for players, but for officials, too. “As officials, we really want to help competitors, not penalize them,” says Fallis, noting that the officials who notified Lexi Thompson of her four-shot penalty at the ANA Inspiration were heartsick about having to do so. “I think the changes will make things easier for officials to do their job in a manner that’s as fair as possible.” MacDonald agrees. “Over time, the rules became too complex for player and rules officials. There have been some embarrassing rulings, and that’s not what officials want to happen. Now that the rules are written in plain English and are fairer, we’ll be better able to do our job, which is to help with the interpretation of how rules apply.”
Garth Goodbrandson says the oversized, user-friendly clubs and balls have been a hit with kids.
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