I'm not the biggest fan of some of these changes. It seems like in the process of simplifying the rules, they are actually making the game easier, which I am not super excited about.

I'm right there with you. some of it makes sense though.

I'm glad to see that there are some significant steps taken to try and simplify the Rules of Golf. A really good initiative!

I also applaud the proposed change regarding caddies lining up putts, tee shots, etc. It is such a time waster in tournament play.

The public commenting period is open so that people can make submissions to the R&A, USGA, RCGA, etc.

One of the things that I would really like to see them address though is the "ball in the divot" situation. A ball that comes to rest in an unrepaired divot that is in the fairway should be treated just like "GUR" - Ground Under Repair. There is no "if's or buts" ... an unrepaired is just that - ground trying to repair itself.

I agree that if a ball comes to rest in a divot that is in the "rough", then that is part of the penalty for a wayward shot. When it is in the fairway, then that is really only because the person before them did not or could not repair their divot (a human intervention). After all, why does the tournament committee make sure that play stops for a period of time before a major event and make sure that divots are repaired, etc. if it was not a concern?

I agree to a point on this one.
Sure it's nice to play from perfect turf all the time...but it's pretty awesome to have the skill to play a ball from those nasty divots...

Cheers,
Dr. K

I agree on the divot point. Overall the changes are very welcome, anything that could potentially speed up the game is a good thing.

I agree with the majority of the proposed changes. Many of the changes provide more equitable relief or do not penalize the player for something that is outside of their control. Will be interesting to see what ultimately gets finalized.

I agree with the divot suggestion as well.

I agree that a divot in the fairway is GUR. I also find the 20" and 80" rule change to be rather impossible to implement. Does everyone need to carry a tape measure in their bag ? I had no problem with "a club length". So what if someone had a long putter in their bag. They don't get any real advantage and they still have to hit the shot. Being able to tamp down spike marks was long overdue although I don't personally know anyone that still wears metal spikes.

After the comment period and the final rules come out it should be a great change for the game bring the game up to the present for sure. In my opinion it's interesting to see the pros point of view and how many want separate tour rules and recreation set of rules.

Accidental grounding the club in a hazzard? Who determines it was an accident? That said if the player didn't know they grounded the club then why should a high def camera or a spectator be able to call the penilty?
As for divots when I started playing the game I didn't understand the nessaty of replacing divots until I had to hit from one. What happen to play the course how you found it. If its not an issue to hit from a fairway divot and everyone gets a free drop from a divot. We're is the priority to fix your divots? I think this rule is bad for the course conditions and greens keepers.

You raise an interesting point about divots and having the incentive to fix them, but it really is no different from ball marks on the green.

A human interaction directly affected another person's ability to play a shot under similar conditions as the other player(s). On the green, a player gets to repair the ball mark. On the fairway, and the player whose ball came to rest in a divot is denied that.

The entire purpose of Rules In a Sport is to ensure fairness to all participants by allowing them or limiting them to play under similar or equal conditions.

Carl, I'm with you on the 20 inches and 80 inches. Keep it at 1 and 2 club lengths. Everyone has a club to measure with, not a measuring tape. And Dino I believe too that the ball in the divot in the middle of the fairway should be a drop. Not in the rough etc., but you pound one down the middle and end up in some slobs divot, that was too lazy to bend over and fix, is beyond a 'rub of the green'