Tuesday, December 29, 2015

USGA Rule Changes for 2016

Taking effect January 1, 2016, is the 33rd edition of the R&A and USGA Rules of Golf.
These rules have been developed and modified over a period of more than 250 years. Since 1952, the Royal and Ancient (R&A) of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have collaborated to produce a uniform set of rules so that, wherever the game of golf is played, the same rules apply.
"Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair. But to do what is fair, you need to know the Rules of Golf" (Rules of Golf).

FOUR MAJOR common-sense changes are highlighted in the 33rd edition of the Rules of Golf. The new rule changes are as follows: 

 Removal of Rule 18-2b—Ball Moving After Address: If a ball at rest moves after the player addresses the ball, it is no longer assumed the movement of the ball is the direct effect of the player. If it is more likely than not that the player had no effect on the movement of the ball (i.e, wind, severe slope, animal), the player is no long assessed a one-stroke penalty. A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will only be applied when the movement of the ball is directly caused by the golfer.


Limited Exception to Rule 6-6d—Wrong Score for HoleA new exception to disqualification for the submission of an incorrect score card has been added. A player is no longer automatically disqualified for returning a lower than actual score for a hole, as a result of omitting penalty strokes that the player DID NOT know were incurred before returning the score card. In lieu of automatic disqualification, the player will receive an additional two-stroke penalty for the score card error. If there is a question regarding the application of rules, the burden is on the golfer to seek the correct interpretation before submitting the score card.


Modification to Rule 14-3—Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment; Abnormal Use of Equipment: “...Success should depend on the judgement, skills and abilities of the player.” Rather than an automatic disqualification for breach of Rule 14-3, using artificial devices, unusual equipment, and abnormal use of equipment, a two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play) will be applied for the first violation of Rule 14-3. The second violation in the same round will result in disqualification.

Implementation of Rule 14-1b—Prohibition on Anchoring the Club While Making a Stroke: Rule 14-1b was first introduced by the R&A and USGA in 2013 to take effect in 2016. A two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play) will be applied for any instance in which the golfer directly anchors the club or is uses the club as an anchor point to make a stroke.

Fore more details about these rule changes or other Rules of Golf, please contact our Handicap Chairman, Tim Scarpino at Tim@GolfandGrow.com or at 469-172-GOLF. 


Did you Know Golf and Grow is a USGA golf club? 


Golf and Grow is built for those who are looking to grow their personal and professional network, AND enjoy playing golf. s the right event for you.











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