by Erik J. Barzeski | Dec 28, 2018 | General Rules
In 2018, players looking to take relief for an unplayable ball in a bunker under Rule 28 had only two options: Drop and play a ball in the bunker itself, either on a line back from the hole or within two club lengths, or Taking stroke-and-distance relief, and...
by Doug Howell | Dec 27, 2018 | General Rules
The rule(s) concerning Water Hazards and Lateral Water Hazards have often been charged with being too complicated. A strict prohibition on certain actions has never been really practical, so a series of exceptions had to be made. You can find these in Rule 13-4, Rule...
by Erik J. Barzeski | Dec 26, 2018 | General Rules
The putting green used to be a pretty special place. And, while it still is in 2019, some of the old Rules and restrictions no longer apply. In 2018, the Line of Play (or “Line of Putt”) on the putting green was fairly well protected, too. The line could...
by Charlie Marks | Dec 25, 2018 | General Rules
What are the odds that the golf ball manufacturers were in on this? 🙂 In my experience as a referee, many players are inclined to give up before my stopwatch hits five minutes, the 2018 limit. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 18.2, the time for a ball search (before the ball...
by Erik J. Barzeski | Dec 24, 2018 | General Rules
Under the 2018 Rules, players are only allowed to substitute a ball when taking relief under a few specific Rules. Substitution is allowed when taking penalty relief, such as when a ball is lost in a water hazard, unplayable, or lost or OB. Substitution is not allowed...
by Doug Howell | Dec 23, 2018 | General Rules
Historically, a player may change a damaged ball if it was “out of shape.” The USGA and R&A say there is no longer a good reason to allow substitution for a ball in play in that condition because: The construction and composition of modern golf balls...
by Erik J. Barzeski | Dec 22, 2018 | General Rules
When a ball moves anywhere on the course (prior to 2019, or without the Local Rule under 18-2, both of which account for accidental movement on the putting green), the Rules of Golf have historically cared about what caused it to move. Was it the ball settling down in...
by Charlie Marks | Dec 21, 2018 | General Rules
Hey, my ball moved! I don’t know how or from whence it moved. What do I do now? Well, we know that 1) you must make your best estimate for its original location and then 2) get it back there. In the past sometimes we dropped it and sometimes we placed it . . ....
by Erik J. Barzeski | Dec 20, 2018 | General Rules
In 2018 and earlier years, Rule 16-1c allowed players only the ability to repair old hole plugs and ball marks, but forbid the repair of other damage including spike marks, hoof prints from deer, and other imperfections. In 2019, these rules have been relaxed. In...
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