Potential rule changes

Russman

Just noticed this........apologies if its posted elsewhere

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/usga-ra-considering-significant-rules-changes

Among the rule changes being considered:

• Reducing search time for lost balls from five minutes to three
• Allowing players to repair spike marks on greens
• Emphasizing the use of red stakes for water hazard
• Eliminating the use of club lengths when taking relief and allowing players to drop from any height rather than shoulder-length

Can't say I agree with the spike mark one, could lead to too many discussions as to what's a spike mark. Plus, how many times does it actually become an issue, really ? There's good breaks and bad breaks, suck it up IMO.

Don't really understand what the last one means in reality.

CMOTDibbler

Russman wrote: »

Just noticed this........apologies if its posted elsewhere

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/usga-ra-considering-significant-rules-changes

Among the rule changes being considered:

• Reducing search time for lost balls from five minutes to three
• Allowing players to repair spike marks on greens
• Emphasizing the use of red stakes for water hazard
• Eliminating the use of club lengths when taking relief and allowing players to drop from any height rather than shoulder-length

Can't say I agree with the spike mark one, could lead to too many discussions as to what's a spike mark. Plus, how many times does it actually become an issue, really ? There's good breaks and bad breaks, suck it up IMO.

Don't really understand what the last one means in reality.

I imagine it's all designed to speed up the game. The club lengths thing is a bit of a nonsens imo. A couple of paces should be accurate enough eliminating the need to go back to the bag and take out the driver and then start measuring the distance etc.

The drop from any height is again designed to speed things up. How many times have we dropped onto a slope (especially in the rough) only for the ball to roll more than six inches from the mark and have to drop again? Eventually having to place the ball. And everyone knows that this is going to happen before you even make the drop.

Russman

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

I imagine it's all designed to speed up the game. The club lengths thing is a bit of a nonsens imo. A couple of paces should be accurate enough eliminating the need to go back to the bag and take out the driver and then start measuring the distance etc.

The drop from any height is again designed to speed things up. How many times have we dropped onto a slope (especially in the rough) only for the ball to roll more than six inches from the mark and have to drop again? Eventually having to place the ball. And everyone knows that this is going to happen before you even make the drop.

True, but we've often seen situations where 2 club lengths almost gets you clear. A couple of paces could turn into very big paces for a tall person

I don't think the dropping change indicates placing though (I guess we'll have to wait and see), can you drop a ball from a half inch ??

Much easier ways to speed up the game IMHO. Even something like playing a bit quicker.....

CMOTDibbler

Russman wrote: »

True, but we've often seen situations where 2 club lengths almost gets you clear. A couple of paces could turn into very big paces for a tall person

I don't think the dropping change indicates placing though (I guess we'll have to wait and see), can you drop a ball from a half inch ??

Much easier ways to speed up the game IMHO. Even something like playing a bit quicker.....

Well there are always exceptions, but the vast majority of drops are inconsequential as to whether they're one or two metres. I suppose since a driver is roughly 45" long, you'd be talking about almost three paces really for a penalty drop. But as a general rule, most would be just to clear the hazard and have a good stance.

Since it says "from any height" then I guess that's what it means. You can drop from an inch if needs be.

I'd say it would save a good bit of time. How many times have you or a partner gone looking for a ball, find it and realise it's in a hazard or unplayable lie and then have to go back to the bag and get your driver to measure your drop and then take the shot. Or you've landed on a cart path and have a free drop, starting the same rigmarole.

Then there's the whole dropping twice before placing the ball crap which you knew you'd have to do anyway.

Montgolfier

Russman wrote: »

Just noticed this........apologies if its posted elsewhere

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/usga-ra-considering-significant-rules-changes

Among the rule changes being considered:

• Reducing search time for lost balls from five minutes to three
• Allowing players to repair spike marks on greens
• Emphasizing the use of red stakes for water hazard
• Eliminating the use of club lengths when taking relief and allowing players to drop from any height rather than shoulder-length

Can't say I agree with the spike mark one, could lead to too many discussions as to what's a spike mark. Plus, how many times does it actually become an issue, really ? There's good breaks and bad breaks, suck it up IMO.

Don't really understand what the last one means in reality.

Reducing time for lost balls is a funny one as nobody really times it. If there's a group pushing behind you may not even get 5 min and vice versa. Big tournament's have forecaddies to find balls so not really an issue for them.
Spike marks I agree with or any mark on your line should be repairable.
Not sure what is meant by the water hazard rule.
Eliminating club length drop is a mistake IMO. I mean it could be the difference between rough or fairway. Drop from any height wrong also as I could drop the ball from 1 inch.

blackwhite

Montgolfier wrote: »

Reducing time for lost balls is a funny one as nobody really times it. If there's a group pushing behind you may not even get 5 min and vice versa. Big tournament's have forecaddies to find balls so not really an issue for them.
Spike marks I agree with or any mark on your line should be repairable.
Not sure what is meant by the water hazard rule.
Eliminating club length drop is a mistake IMO. I mean it could be the difference between rough or fairway. Drop from any height wrong also as I could drop the ball from 1 inch.

Think for the water hazard rule they want as much as possible to see hazards designated as lateral where possible - should eliminate the need for players to have to go around to the opposite side of the hazard for a drop, and thus speed things up a bit.

whizbang

Absolutely agree with all the changes. It could be very useful eliminating the rule nazi's who are by far the worst offenders to slow play.

-less rules about hazards, no need to go get a club from your bag, will help eliminate above.

However for all club golfers, repairing any damage to greens should be mandatory.

Senecio

There's one rule I'd love to see introduced but it's another difficult one to define. Relief from divots on the fairway. Hitting the middle of fairway and two inches to the left or right determines whether you have a perfect or crap lie is just wrong. I understand why it not in the rules as how do you define a divot from a poor lie but it's still wrong.

On the changes proposed, can't say I agree with the first two. Definitely agree with the third as lateral water hazards do speed up play. I would say that in some situations there should be more designated drop zones where it's not possible to dro at point of entry not nearer the hole. I don't understand the last, I can't see the video, what are they proposing to use instead of club lengths to determine where you can drop?