Redo Rules

The R&a and USGA Are Ready to Rewrite the Entire Manual for How the Game Is Played–  and They Want Your Help to Do It
 

- Ron Kaspriske

WHAT BEGAN IN 2012 WITH SMALL discussions from key members of golf ’s governing bodies about what to do with a set of rules that many believed was unwieldy, undesirable and often unintelligible, has evolved into a large-scale attempt to revise the way the game is played. - The most likely scenario is this: Starting in 2019, The Rules of Golf, jointly authored by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association, and used by millions of golfers worldwide, will look very different than it does now. - “There was a recognition to take a new look at it, to put everything on the table and do something good for the game,” says John Bodenhamer, senior managing director, championships and governance for the USGA. “We’re very happy with what we’ve come up with and are excited to see how golfers of all levels feel about what we’re proposing.”

Before any rule is changed, you’ll have several months to review the proposed changes and submit feedback online to The R&A via worldwide survey technology that can be accessed at randa.org, or you can email the USGA at rules@usga. org and offer your opinion. Once that comment period is complete on August 31, rules-makers say they will review the feedback, finalise a new set of procedures and penalties and announce them early in 2018, to be put in play for 2019.

There are currently 34 rules in