Page 11 - GBC Summer 2019 Eng

When to Replace a Ball that Moves on Putting Green (Rule 13.1)
Once the ball has come to rest and been marked, if it moves for any reason, it is to be replaced. Prior to 2019, a ball that had been marked, lifted and replaced, and then moved due to gravity or wind, was to be played from its new location. If the ball has yet to be marked and is moved by gravity or wind, the ball is played from its nal location. IMPACT
Consistency with this Rule makes it simpler for the golfer.
Ball Played From Green Hits Unattended Flagstick in Hole (Rule 13.2)
This has been one of the more visible changes to the Rules of Golf. A golfer whose ball lies on the putting green now has the option to leave the agstick in the hole. Previously, putting on the green and having the ball hit the agstick resulted in a 2-stroke penalty. Opinions vary, of course, as to the bene ts of leaving the agstick in from a scoring perspective. IMPACT
For the amateur golfer this has the potential to greatly speed play, particularly if golfers within a group are willing to play with the agstick “in.” Speed of play could slow if there are golfers in a group who differ on their desire to have the agstick in or out.
TAKING RELIEF
Measuring the size of a Relief Area from which a Ball Must be Dropped and Played (De nition of Relief Area)
“Prior to 2019, only areas that contained water permanently or occasionally, could
be marked as water hazards (yellow stakes and/or paint) or lateral water hazards (red stakes and/or paint).“
IMPACT
Although it may take time for golfers to get used to the approach of identifying a relief area prior to dropping, it is a much clearer method for determining the drop area.
New Procedure for Dropping a Ball (Rule 14.3)
Golfers now drop the ball from knee height. This is a change from the previous Rule of dropping the ball from shoulder height. Yes, it may seem awkward initially, but prior to the shoulder height drop, golfers were to drop the ball behind their shoulder, and that was in place between 1908 and 1984. That was odder than this – we’ll all get used to it.
IMPACT
A simple procedure for dropping that is important because of where the ball must come to rest.
Where a Dropped Ball Must Come to Rest (Rule 14.3)
Previously, the ball was dropped from shoulder height, and after striking the course, could roll up to two club lengths and still be in play. For example, a golfer taking relief from an unplayable lie could choose to drop within two club lengths of where the ball lay (with one penalty stroke added).
Prior to 2019, if the golfer dropped at the edge of the 2 club length margin, and it then rolled
The area into which a ball is dropped is now de ned as a relief area, and such an area is identi ed for all dropping procedures. The relief area is a xed size of 1 or 2 club lengths based upon the longest club in the golfer’s bag, other than the putter. Prior to 2019, sometimes there was a “relief area” for dropping, and sometimes there wasn’t.
For example, in taking relief from a cart path (previously an immovable obstruction), the golfer would identify the nearest point of relief, and then drop within one club length, no nearer to the hole. Other than terminology (to be addressed below), this hasn’t changed. But, in reference to the earlier Rules, let’s consider the procedure for dropping after a ball was embedded. The golfer was told to drop on the spot where the ball was embedded – there was no “relief area” for dropping.
Now, whenever a drop is taken, there is a relief area. Regarding the embedded ball, the golfer marks the point right behind where the ball was embedded as the reference point. He or she can then measure one club length in each direction to set the margins of the semi-circle which de ne the relief area.
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