CHANGES TO THE RULES OF GOLF 2008
The R & A has announced changes to the Rules of Golf with effect from 1st January 2008. Copies of the new Rules of Golf book are now available in the clubhouse. Please take a copy (and keep it in your golf bag!). You will find a summary of the principal changes on pages 6 – 9 at the front of the new book. You will also find a helpful quick guide to the Rules of Golf on pages 19 – 25. Changes to look out for:
Advice
Amended to allow the exchange of information on distance, as it is not considered to be “advice”.
Lost Ball
Amended to clarify substituted ball issues, to include the concept of “stroke-and-distance” and to include reference to “known or virtually certain” (see corresponding changes to Rules 18-1, 24-3, 25-1c, 26 and 27-1).
Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Ball. Note added to clarify what constitutes a serious breach of Rule 1-2.
Rule 12-1. Searching for Ball; Seeing Ball - Amended to include searching for a ball in an obstruction.
Rule 12-2. Identifying Ball - Amended to allow a player to lift his ball for identification in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 15-3, removing the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard).
Rule 15-3. Wrong Ball. Amended to remove the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 12-2, allowing a player to lift a ball for identification in a hazard).
Rule 19-2. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment. Amended to reduce the penalty in both match play and stroke play to one stroke.
Rule 24-1. Movable Obstruction. Amended to allow a flagstick, whether attended, removed or held up, to be moved when a ball is in motion.
Rule 24-3, Rule 25-1c, Rule 26, Rule 27-1. The term “reasonable evidence” has been replaced by “known or virtually certain” when determining whether a ball that has not been found may be treated as in an obstruction (Rule 24-3), an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or a water hazard (Rule26-1). See corresponding changes to Definition of Lost Ball and Rule 18-1
NOTE: Please be careful when your ball is in a hazard:
YOU MUST NOW IDENTIFY YOUR BALL IN A HAZARD (BUNKER AND WATER).
The only exception is for a stroke made at a wrong ball that is moving in a water hazard
PLEASE TAKE A COPY OF THE NEW RULES OF GOLF