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By Design
T
he Royal and Ancient and the
United States Golf Association
(USGA) have released a major
set of proposed changes to the Rules
of Golf. The changes are designed to
“bring the Rules up to date to fit the
needs of the game today globally.”
The organizations hope to achive
numerous objectives with the
proposed updates, including: to
help in eliminating restrictions that
have been perceived as unfair or
unnecessary, making procedures
easier to use, and “to help address
the pressing issue of pace of play”.
“We undertook this initiative to help
all golfers apply the Rules more easily,”
said Thomas Pagel, USGA senior
director, Rules of Golf & Amateur
Status. “If we can make the game more
approachable by looking at the words
we use, the technology we can apply,
and the procedures we can strengthen,
we believe the game and everyone
involved in it can benefit from it.”
Some of the proposed rules
changes have potential to impact
the way in which golf courses are
designed. ASGCA Past President
Steve Smyers, ASGCA, explains: “The
term ‘Penalty Areas’ will now cover
all water hazards and areas such
as deserts, jungles, and lava rock
fields. In the past, areas such as these
were considered an integral part of
the course, but under the new rule
one of the options will be to drop
within 80 inches of the point of entry
with a one stroke penalty. I imagine
designers could use these areas
differently in their design.
“The other rule that might come into
consideration is when a ball becomes
unplayable in a bunker. Under the
current rule relief must be taken in
the same bunker. With the new rule,
relief can be taken outside the bunker,
keeping the flagstick, unplayable
ball, and point of relief all in one
line. I do not believe we should alter
how we treat the edges or surrounds
of the bunkers but be aware of the
implications if one were to exercise
their options under this rule change.”
Writing in
Golf Course Industry
,
ASGCA Past President Rick Robbins,
ASGCA, recently expressed his views
on ‘stroke and distance’ penalties for
out-of-bounds and lost balls. “This
is one of the least understood, most
severe and most ignored penalties in
golf. It contributes to slow play, creates
handicap issues and frankly, makes no
sense from a logical standpoint.”
The R&A and USGA have issued
detailed descriptions of the new rules
available on their respective websites,
as well as a survey for feedback on
the changes and proposals.
DIGEST
Golf rules changes could impact co
A round-up of recent golf design
news in association with:
The R&A and USGA hope that rules modernization will
help address “the pressing issue of pace of play”
Images: United States Golf Association