Changes to the Rules of Golf 2012 - 2015

[BC MIST]

Below is a link to a summary of the changes to the Rules of Golf for 2012 to 2015.

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Am...principal.ashx

[gbower]

All the new and revised decisions are also on the USGA site

http://www.usga.org/rules/2012-Rules-of-Golf/

[Ruskie]

Hurray!!! No more penalties for ball moving on the green!

Aside from that, can someone please do a layman summary of the changes? It's a little difficult to figure out the impact of the changes as they're described in the document, without knowing all the referenced rules well.

[Gapwedge]

Anything on anchoring clubs against body during a stroke (aka, belly putters?)

[LobWedge]

Hurray!!! No more penalties for ball moving on the green!

Not quite that simple

[Ruskie]

Hmm... could you elaborate please? My (admittedly layman) understanding is that unless a player did something to influence the ball (touching the ball, stomping the ground, slamming the putter, etc.), there's no penalty. Am I missing something?

[AAA]

Hurray!!! No more penalties for ball moving on the green!

This is why it's isn't as simple as you suggested

unless a player did something to influence the ball (touching the ball, stomping the ground, slamming the putter, etc.),

[Ruskie]

I can appreciate the subtlety of the definition, but I'd think they would at least consider taking a normal putting stance as an action that does not influence the ball (and yes, I realize "normal" is open to debate to a certain degree). Otherwise, what's the point of that rule change?

[Kiwi]

Anything on anchoring clubs against body during a stroke (aka, belly putters?)

I think the ship has sailed on that one (Pun intended). If/when they do a study to find/prove this is a significant advantage only then would they consider it. I've seen just as many short puts missed with a long vs. a "normal" length putter. As long as there are two hands on the club there is still virtually the same "risk" of swinging in/out, out/in, pulling up or stiffing it. It's the same... only different (looking)... IMHO

[jvincent]

I can appreciate the subtlety of the definition, but I'd think they would at least consider taking a normal putting stance as an action that does not influence the ball (and yes, I realize "normal" is open to debate to a certain degree). Otherwise, what's the point of that rule change?

The change addresses the very unfair situation of the wind moving the ball or the ball moving when the player has walked several feet awayafter addressing it and all of a sudden it moves.

[rpangman]

Could someone clarify the change in grounding your club in a hazard?

[AAA]

Could someone clarify the change in grounding your club in a hazard?

Which rule/decision change do you mean?

[gbower]

Could someone clarify the change in grounding your club in a hazard?

As far as I know nothing has changed with regards to grounding your club in a hazard. It's still a 2 stroke penalty.

[rpangman]

Thank you. Just curious. The wording can be a bit ambiguous in the rule book.

[AAA]

Thank you. Just curious. The wording can be a bit ambiguous in the rule book.

Why do you think there has been a change?

[rpangman]

Rules of Golf
Definitions
Addressing the Ball
The Definition is amended so that a player has addressed the ball simply by
grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether
or not he has taken his stance. Therefore, the Rules generally no longer provide
for a player addressing the ball in a hazard. (See also related change to Rule 18-2b)

[LobWedge]

Rules of Golf
Definitions
Addressing the Ball
The Definition is amended so that a player has addressed the ball simply by
grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether
or not he has taken his stance. Therefore, the Rules generally no longer provide
for a player addressing the ball in a hazard. (See also related change to Rule 18-2b)

It is a pretty major change considering the text "...except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance" has also been removed.

[AAA]

And Decision 13-4/12 has been changed as a result.

[LobWedge]

Among the many changes for 2012 is the clarification of "Known or Virtually Certain" in D26-1/1. This finally sets out the conditions for determining "virtual certainty" in the absence of the actual ball. Well done.

26-1/1
Meaning of “Known or Virtually Certain”

When a ball has been struck towards a water hazard and cannot be found,
a player may not assume that his ball is in the water hazard simply because
there is a possibility that the ball may be in the water hazard. In order
to proceed under Rule 26-1, it must be “known or virtually certain” that
the ball is in the water hazard. In the absence of “knowledge or virtual
certainty” that it lies in a water hazard, a ball that cannot be found must
be considered lost somewhere other than in a water hazard and the player
must proceed under Rule 27-1.

When a player’s ball cannot be found, “knowledge” may be gained that
his ball is in a water hazard in a number of ways. The player or his caddie
or other members of his match or group may actually observe the ball
disappear into the water hazard. Evidence provided by other reliable
witnesses may also establish that the ball is in the water hazard. Such
evidence could come from a referee, an observer, spectators or other
outside agencies. It is important that all readily accessible information be
considered because, for example, the mere fact that a ball has splashed in a
water hazard would not always provide “knowledge” that the ball is in the
water hazard, as there are instances when a ball may skip out of, and come
to rest outside, the hazard.

In the absence of “knowledge” that the ball is in the water hazard, Rule
26-1 requires there to be “virtual certainty” that the player’s ball is in the
water hazard in order to proceed under this Rule. Unlike “knowledge,”
“virtual certainty” implies some small degree of doubt about the actual
location of a ball that has not been found. However, “virtual certainty” also
means that, although the ball has not been found, when all readily available
information is considered, the conclusion that there is nowhere that the
ball could be except in the water hazard would be justified.

In determining whether “virtual certainty” exists, some of the
relevant factors in the area of the water hazard to be considered include
topography, turf conditions, grass heights, visibility, weather conditions
and the proximity of trees, bushes and abnormal ground conditions.

The same principles would apply for a ball that may have been moved by
an outside agency (Rule 18-1) or a ball that has not been found and may be
in an obstruction (Rule 24-3) or an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1c).
(Revised)

[mpare]

The January issue of Golf Digest highlighted a number of rule (or decision) changes that had escaped me. For the benefit of other golfers who may not have been aware of some of these changes, I have copied them from the article for your benefit.

1. You don't have to inspect a hazard to determine that you ball is in it, if it is obvious that it is inside the margins of the hazard. (Decision 26-1/1.3)

2. Changing an area of the course will not result in a penalty unless it creates a potential advantage for you. One example given is accidentally knocking a leaf loose in a practice swing which did not provide the golfer with an advantage. (Decision 13-2/0.5)

3. You now have addressed the ball (regardless of whether you have taken your stance) the moment you put your club down immediately in front or behind the ball. This is the result of a Definition change.

4. Moving the ball accidentally when searching for one covered in sand results in no penalty. However, there is now a one stroke penalty if you accidentally move your ball in a hazard when it's covered by loose impediments. (Rules 12-1, 18-2a)

5. You can now smooth out a bunker before your shot provided it is for the purpose of tidying up, and you aren't testing the conditions or improving your stance. (Rule 13-4, Decision 13-4/9.5)

6. Unless there is a serious breach of the rules, then the maximum penalty for playing from the wrong place is two strokes. (Rule 20-7c)

7. There's no penalty for swinging at an oscillating ball since it hasn't moved. (Decision 14-5/2)

8. You cannot now listen to music, news, etc, for prolonged periods during the round. This should be called the Disco Duck rule. If you're old enough, you'll know to what I am referring. (Decision 14-3/17)

9. You cannot lift your ball off the green if another ball is in motion if there's a chance that your ball could be struck by that ball. (Rule 16-1b, Decision 16-1b/4)

[nokids]

I downloaded the USGA rule book app on my ipod last week. How do I know if I have all the updated rules or not?


edit: I dont see Decision 14-5/2 in my app; so I think I have the old rules.

[gbower]

I haven't seen the updated one on line yet.

[Grabster]

I think the rules go into effect March 1st in the states. Might explain whey the old rule book is the 'official' one for now.

[gbower]

The new rules actually are now being used, as of January 1, 2012. The new handicap system for RCGA takes effect on March 1st.

[AAA]

The 2012 Rules and Decisions were on the R&A and USGA websites on Jan 1. The books have been available since Nov 2011.

The 2012 apps are not yet available.

[nokids]

I spoke to someone in the rules dept of USGA and they said the app would be updated in a few weeks, but no definite date.

It costs only $4 and it's awesome. Search function is great.