Phil Mickelson Encounters an OB Fence

Before 2017, when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance under a Rule, sometimes a player might end up playing from a wrong place based on a wrong estimate or measurement. Even if only by a small amount, players may incur a penalty. In 2017,...

In my opinion, this is one of the best Rules changes made for 2019, and it will eliminate a lot of confusion over how and where to drop and, more importantly, when a re-drop is required, and when placing becomes mandatory. In 2018 and before, a player when taking...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOYTA-Ysxys Dustin Johnson's ball moved, and the golf world erupted in controversy. In 2018 and before, in the absence of a Local Rule modifying 18-2, if a player (or opponent) accidentally caused the player’s ball to move anywhere on...

In 2018, there are (or were) a number of actions a player must not do when their ball is in a bunker but which are permitted elsewhere on the course. With exceptions (which always seem to make the rules more complex) the player must not: Test the condition of the...

This is a “new” idea? Really, don’t many of us already play some form of recreational golf, such as Stableford, in which we pick it up when all hope is lost? 🙂 Well, what’s “new” is that the Rules have caught up to how many of us play. “Maximum Score” will be a new...

When the USGA and R&A released the first draft of the proposed rules many many months ago, they included a provision to have fixed distances for measuring drop zones. Rather than use club lengths, golfers were going to have to measure out 40 inches, or 80 inches,...

Rule 1 has always established the basis by which the game of golf is played. Broken down into four parts (1-1 General, 1-2 Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions, 1-3 Agreement to Waive Rules, 1-4 Points Not Covered by Rules), two of...

In 2018 and earlier, the Rules of Golf required that players play without "undue delay." Rule 6-7 read as follows: The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a...

I like this one! In casual play most players don’t even know of the requirement and in tournament play it’s most often an unnecessary inconvenience. 2018 Rule: A special procedure applies when you intend to lift a ball in three specific situations. Before lifting the...

A lot of golfers didn't know that they had five options when they hit the ball into a lateral water hazard. Essentially, they were: Re-hit (stroke and distance). Play it as it lies. Drop within two club lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the margin of...

I have a hot stock tip for you… find the company who makes red stakes and buy their shares now. Oh, and short those who make yellow and white stakes. As we all know, the 2018 Rules allow relief with penalty when a ball is in a “water hazard” (marked yellow) or a...

Though the 2019 Rules of Golf take a number of steps toward trusting players, they take one step that could be viewed as doing the opposite by allowing Committees to impose a Code of Conduct on players. Under the 2018 Rules of Golf, players were able to be...