Tag Archives: Golf Rules
Relief on The Putting Green
By: Richard Todd There’s a course I play regularly that if you slice your tee shot it’s possible to end up on the putting green of a previously played hole. I’ve almost scored an ace that way multiple times. I’ve even played to the wrong green given an errant shot and being unfamiliar […]
Upcoming Rules Changes for Penalty Areas
By Richard Todd Do you want to sound super smart, like a Rules Official on the golf course? During your next round, simply use the phrase, “Penalty Area.” This is the new term used by the USGA that replaces and encompasses, water hazards and bunkers. So regardless, if it’s sand or water […]
World Golf Handicap System Unifies International Golf
Golfers around the World will calculate their handicaps on a more consistent basis beginning in 2020. The new handicap system comes after an extensive review of the current handicap methods administered by the six existing authorities: Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU), the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association […]
History and Rules of Dropping Golf Balls
By: Richard Todd The rule addressing putting a ball back into play has gone through several changes in the past two hundred years, and will go through more soon! Starting in 1908 the rule stated, a golfer would reintroduce a ball into play by dropping it over their shoulder. “The player shall […]
Technology & Golf Rules
By: Richard Todd After years of relying on my golfing companions to provide exact measurements to the green and hazards, using their GPS and laser range finders, I finally purchased my own technology. The quick reading of pin-point digital yardage speeds up my round, increases my confidence in club selection, and helps shots be […]
New Golf Rules and Their Impact
By: Richard Todd There are many rule changes by the USGA coming in 2019. One of my favorites is the ability to putt with the flagstick in cup, without penalty. Normally, striking the flagstick from on the green is a breach of USGA rules #17-3 and carries a two-stroke penalty, but this rule is to […]
Using The Rules of Golf To Your Advantage
By: Richard Todd PGA Tour players have been using the rules of golf more effectively for their benefit rather than simply to assess penalties. Equity and fairness in play is the reason the USGA and The R&A created the rules. At the 2017 Open Championship, Jordan Spieth’s ball landed on a hilly slope […]
Rules, Rules, Rules
The Rules of Golf have dominated the news lately. Stories abound with professional tour events turned upside down as leaders were assessed penalties days later, as well as, the impending overhaul of many rules. What do professional golfers think and how do golf rules impact you? Golf Channel Amateur Tour (www.GCAMtour.com) player Matt Blum provided some […]
Rules Changes Help Your Game
The Unites States Golf Association (USGA) and Royal & Ancient (R&A) are currently making changes to the rules of golf to make the game more equitable, uniform, and hopefully more enjoyable. Some changes have already been implemented. Just ask Jon Rahm, a professional golfer from Spain. At the 2017 Irish Open he did not properly […]