Summary of New Rules
These are formatted to be the front and back on a 4X6 sheet if you wish to download and laminate them. (Click Summary of New Rules link below)
GOLF’S NEW RULES
Embedded Ball in Rough – free drop in relief area behind ball from rough or fairway
Club Length – Longest club in bag except putter
Penalty Areas – (formerly water hazards) allow 2 club length lateral drop and can move loose impediments and ground club -1 penalty stroke
Dropping – must be knee height; if drop from shoulder – 1 penalty stroke
Substituting a Ball – allowed when taking free or penalty relief (a drop)
Search Time of Lost Ball – reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes
Moving Ball While Searching – no penalty if accidental; replace
Lost Ball or Out of Bounds – new option for fairway relief – 2 stroke penalty; not allowed to hit provisional ball if taking this option
Ball Accidentally Strikes You, Equipment, etc. – no penalty
Unplayable Lie – stroke and distance or drop 2 club lengths – 1 penalty stroke (not new rule)
Ready Golf – play when ready without holding up or interfering with others in general area, tee or on green
Removing Loose Impediments in Bunker – allowed no penalty but cannot move ball
New Bunker Option – drop outside bunker back on line from ball to flag – 2 stroke penalty
Repairing Damage on Green – can repair most all damage except normal wear – no penalty
Line of Play on Putting Green – touching line of play on green allowed
Ball Accidently Moved on Green – no penalty if accidently moved by player or opponents, replace on original spot
Hitting Flagstick – no penalty whether in hole or lying on green; play ball where it lies
Double Hitting Ball –no penalty; counts as 1 stroke and play ball where it lies
Maximum Score – allows a player to pick up and take maximum score without penalty
Ball Accidently Moved By Natural Forces on Green – if lifted and replaced, replace on original spot; if not lifted and replaced yet, play from new spot
