Possible changes to the USGA rules... thoughts?

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By Speedy

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  • 9 Replies
  1. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    Saw an article about possible rule changes in 2019 or something like that. Here are some possible changes; 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

    I really like the searching the ball one.. I've seen too many players take FOREVER to find the ball. Drives me nuts especially when they hit it wayyyyy in the woods with leaves up to ya knees.. It's amazing how intense their search is... If it was me, take a quick look, nothing, dropping a ball.. Move on...

    I do like they're looking for ways to speed up the game and I'm all for it.. I would like to see a rule where the number of clubs in the bag can be increased, maybe to 15? Yeah 15 clubs would be nice.... #15clubs

  2. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Think fourteen clubs is plenty. Most players do use that many in a round. Do not think that it make that much of a difference. A lot of amateurs do not follow that rule anyhow. Unfortunate. Do not have a problem with repairing spike marks, but that probably only apply to pros because they are the only ones wearing steel spikes. Even with the spike, marks can occur because some greens are cut so low. If amateurs would repair the marks. Most have a problem repairing ball marks. Unfortunately slow play will always be around and faster players will not be affected by the other two changes, they would continue on a faster pace. And unfortunately tournament rounds take longer. I stay away from scramble/shambles/captain's choice tournaments because they take so long. Certain rules are there to speed up play and encourage fair play. I agree the whole rules book needs to looked at. It is too difficult to interrupt.
  3. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Speedy - I thought the 15 club rule was already in place when playing with you...
  4. Jake A

    Jake A

    I'd have two putters in the bag!
  5. DV

    DV

    Do away with stroke and distance penalty. Do away with penalties for repairing spike marks on the green. Do away with double hit penalty. Really, can anyone actually make a better stroke by accidently hitting the ball twice?
  6. Joe M

    Joe M
    Fire Lieutenant (Ret)

    Change the rule for a ball coming to rest in a divot. You cannot control where you ball stops after hitting a perfect drive. Fairview only, allow a drop
  7. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Amen on the stroke and distance - the white stakes should only be a hazard you can't enter. Count a double hit as 2 strokes & no penalty? Although, I'd be satisfied if the USGA would trust me to keep my own score to post it.
  8. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Stroke & distance change to simple penalty drop
    Spike marks repairable
    Ball in divot on fairway free drop
    3 minutes to search for lost ball

    I'm on board with all of the above rules changes, though, unfortunately all are not on the table.

    15 clubs? We gotta keep some challenges. We should be able to get around with 14. There are times I could use a 15th or 16th, and sure, it would be nice to have enough wedges for every situation we may run into, maybe a left-handed club and a driver set to draw and one to fade, but the idea is to do what you can with the tools that you have and the 14 clubs you choose to carry.

    Double hit penalty doesn't affect me enough to worry about it. But it's true, there really isn't a benefit to a double hit, unless you get lucky. It's not like you can actually control it. Heck, it's hard enough controlling the first strike!
  9. Matt B

    Matt B
    Columbus, OH

    I don't really care for the new drop rule, sounds too much like preferred lies. Repairing spike marks or any imperfections on the green should be allowed, and also makes it equitable for all players that day.
    I think the ball search could be revised, change the 5 minutes from the time you start the search to 5 minutes from when your group leaves the tee box, that should pick up the pace of play.
  10. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    Bring back anchoring the putter, treat lost balls like a lateral water hazard, same with balls hit out of bounds, treat water filled bunkers as ground under repair, be able to move a ball out of a divot, take a mulligan off the first tee to name just a few. These are the way that most recreational golfers play with their buddies and I have no problems with any of them.

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