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Rules Of Golf Changes For 2004 Set By USGA And R&A
Far Hills, N.J. - A golfer may now use any means to remove loose impediments from his/her line of putt, provided nothing is pressed down. In addition, there is no longer an automatic penalty in either match play or stroke play if a ball off the putting green moves after a loose impediment within a club length of the ball has been removed.
These are two of the amendments to the Rules of Golf that have been agreed upon by the R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland and the United States Golf Association. They go into effect Jan. 1, 2004.
The Rules are reviewed jointly by the R&A and USGA to clarify the Rules for use worldwide. Changes must be agreed upon by both groups before they can be adopted. Such changes are implemented every four years. The USGA is the governing body of golf in the United States and Mexico, while the R&A is the governing body for golf outside the USGA's jurisdiction.
Another change gives a local committee the latitude to disqualify a golfer in tournament play because of a serious breach of etiquette. In all, the changes for 2004 are the most extensive in 20 years.
Additionally, two equipment proposals have been adopted as part of the Rules for 2004. A size limit of 460cc, plus 10cc for measurement tolerance, will be placed on clubheads, along with two dimensional controls. The first control limits the length between the heel and toe of the clubhead to 5.0 inches, while the second control places a 2.8-inch limit on the height between the sole and crown of the clubhead. There is also a limit of 48 inches on all club lengths, with the exception of putters.
A one-year grace period will be granted for clubs already in use prior to 2004, for both the new club length and clubhead size limits, until Dec. 31, 2004.
In addition, as part of the Rules of Amateur Status, the prize limit has increased to $750 from $500.
Changes in language and format also have been made throughout the Rules. Language was updated for consistency and for easier understanding by golfers. The new formatting makes this edition easier to use.
These changes are part of the 2004-2005 Rules of Golf. Books may be ordered by calling the USGA Order Department at (800) 336-4446, clicking here or visiting local pro shops in early December.
Changes To The Decisions Effective 2004
General
The entire Rule book has been redrafted for clarity, adopting a more modern style.
Etiquette
Amended and expanded to give broader guidance on the etiquette of the game and to clarify that a Committee may disqualify a player for a serious breach of etiquette under Rule 33-7.
Definitions
Ball in Play: Expanded to clarify the status of a ball when played from outside the teeing ground.
Bunker: Amended to provide that a stacked turf face is not part of a bunker, whether grass-covered or earthen.
Lost Ball: Part b amended to state that a ball is lost if the player has made a stroke at a substituted ball, rather than simply having "put another ball into play."
Nearest Point of Relief: Amended for clarity.
Expanded to include Conditions of Competition and "Decisions on the Rules of Golf."
Substituted Ball: A new Definition to clarify the distinction between a substituted ball and a wrong ball.
Tee: A new Definition to give specifications of a tee.
Rule 2-5. Doubt as to Procedure; Disputes and Claims: Expanded to clarify the procedure for making a valid claim.
Rule 3-3. Doubt as to Procedure: Amended to provide that the player must report to the Committee in all cases, including when he believes he has scored the same with both balls. The penalty for failure to do so is disqualification.
Rule 5-3. Ball Unfit for Play: Amended so that the procedures for lifting the ball under Rules 5-3 and 12-2 are more consistent.
Rule 6-4. Caddie: Penalty for having more than one caddie amended from disqualification to loss of hole in match play (adjustment to state of match) or two strokes in stroke play with a maximum of two holes in match play or four strokes in stroke play.
Rule 6-8d. Procedure When Play Resumed: Note added to provide that if the spot on which the ball is to be placed is not determinable, when resuming play it must be estimated and the ball is placed on the estimated spot. (See corresponding Exception to Rule 20-3c.)
Rule 7-1b. Practice Before or Between Rounds: Expanded to clarify what constitutes testing the surface prior to a round.
Rule 9-2. Information as to Strokes Taken; Match Play: Separated into two categories - information as to strokes taken and wrong information - and more explicit detail given on when a player is deemed to have given wrong information.
Rules 10-1b and 10-2b. Order of Play: Note introduced to clarify the order of play when a ball is not to be played as it lies (previously contained in Decisions 10/1, 10/2 and 10/3).
Rule 11-1. Teeing: Amended for clarity and to introduce a penalty of disqualification for use of a non-conforming tee.
Rule 12-2. Identifying Ball: Amended so that the procedures for lifting the ball under Rules 5-3 and 12-2 are more consistent.
Rule 13-2. Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play: Reformatted for clarity.
Rule 13-4b. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions: Amended to restrict penalty situations to touching ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with a hand or a club.
Exception 2 to Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions: Amended so that the caddie is no longer permitted to smooth sand or soil in the hazard prior to the player making a stroke.
Rule 15. Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball: Reformatted and amended for clarity.
Rule 16-1a. Touching Line of Putt: Amended to provide that the player may remove loose impediments on the putting green by any means, provided he does not press anything down.
Rule 17. The Flagstick: Amended for clarity.
Rule 18-6. Ball Moved in Measuring
Rule 10-4. has been withdrawn and new Rule 18-6 has been introduced to provide that no penalty is incurred if a ball or ball-marker is moved while proceeding under or in determining the application of a Rule.
Rule 20-3c. Placing and Replacing; Spot Not Determinable: Exception added to provide that a player resuming play under Rule 6-8d places the ball at the estimated spot if the exact spot is not determinable.
Rule 20-7. Playing from Wrong Place: Amended for clarity.
Rule 22. Ball Assisting or Interfering with Play: Amended for clarity.
Rule 23-1. Loose Impediments; Relief: Rule 18-2c has been withdrawn and Rule 23-1 has been amended to provide that a penalty for the player causing his ball, lying anywhere other than on a putting green, to move due to removal of a loose impediment will be assessed under Rule 18-2a. There is no longer an automatic penalty if a ball moves after a loose impediment within one club-length of the ball is touched.
Rule 24-2b. Immovable Obstruction; Relief: Amended for clarity and to permit a player to take relief from an immovable obstruction in a bunker by dropping outside the bunker under penalty of one stroke.
Rule 24-3. Ball Lost in Obstruction: New Rule created to deal with a ball lost in a movable obstruction and a ball lost in an immovable obstruction (previously covered in Rule 24-2c).
Rule 25-1c. Ball Lost in Abnormal Ground Conditions: Amended to clarify the reference point for taking relief when a ball is lost in an abnormal ground condition (corresponding amendment made in new Rule 24-3b).
Rule 25-3b. Wrong Putting Green; Relief: Amended for clarity.
Rule 26-2a. Ball Played Within Water Hazard: Amended and expanded for clarity.
Rule 28. Ball Unplayable: Options b and c reversed in order to provide consistency with the construction of Rule 26-1.
Rule 34-1a. Claims and Penalties; Match Play: Amended by omitting the points already covered in Rule 2-5.
Rule 34-3. Committee's Decision: Reference to "Secretary" amended to "duly authorized representative of the Committee."
Table of Contents for Appendix I: Added for ease of reference.
Preferred Lies: Specimen Local Rule amended for clarity and to provide that the position of the ball must be marked when lifted to prefer the lie. The USGA will also now interpret this Local Rule.
Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green: Previous Local Rule for fixed sprinkler heads amended to allow for inclusion of any immovable obstructions within two club-lengths of the putting green.
Club Length: Clause 1c amended to include a new 48 inch limit. Putters are excepted.
Clubhead: Clause 4b amended to include new dimensional limits and a new maximum head size for woods of 470 cc (460 cc maximum plus a 10 cc tolerance).
Rule 3-2. Prize Limits
Rule 3-3. Testimonial Awards
Maximum allowable retail value of prize or testimonial award increased to $750 from $500.
2004 Rules of Golf and Decisions
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