2012 Rules Changes-Excess Club Put In Player’s Golf Bag

There has been a revision to Decision 4-4a/6 “Excess Club Put in Player’s Golf Bag”.  The question to the Decision states: “A player arrives at the first tee.  After the match or group’s starting time while A is preparing to play his shot, B, his opponent or fellow-competitor, by mistake places his driver in A’s bag, which results in A having 15 clubs.  A then drives from the first tee.  During play of the first hole, A discovers that B’s club has been put in his (A’s) bag.  Does A incur a penalty for starting the club with more than 14 clubs?”

The answer now states:  “No.  Although A started the round with more than 14 clubs, A is not considered to have selected B’s club for play for the following reasons:

*The additional club was added to his bag by B on the 1st tee

*The club was added after the match or group’s time of starting

*The club had already been selected for play by B

Therefore A incurs no penalty provided he does not make a stroke with B’s club.  The club may be returned to B and used by him.

The decision would be different, and A would be penalized under 4-4a if:

*The additional club had belonged to a player in another match or group

*The club had been added before A’s match or group arrived to the tee

*The club had been added before A’s match or groups time of starting

Frank Guastella, PGA Master Professional

Michigan PGA Rules Official

Staff Writer for Mike Fay Golf

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2012 Rules Changes-Playing From The Wrong Place

We will continue our journey through the principal Rules changes introduced for 2012 by discussing Rule 20-7c Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play.  Note 3, under Rule 20-7c has been amended so that if a player is penalized for playing from a wrong place, in most cases the penalty will be limited to two strokes, even if another Rule has been breached prior to his making the stroke.

Note 3 now states:  “If a player incurs a penalty for making a stroke from a wrong place, there is no additional penalty for:

(a)    Substituting a ball when not permitted;

(b)   Dropping a ball when the Rules require it to be placed, or placing a ball when the Rules require it to be dropped;

(c)    Dropping a ball in an improper manner; or

(d)   A ball being put into play by a person not permitted to do so under the Rules”

If you would like to learn more about the Rules of Golf please follow me on Twitter @fgcards.   I usually Tweet out some Rules and Decisions on the Rules of Golf each day.

Frank Guastella, PGA Master Professional

Michigan PGA Rules Official

Staff Writer for Mike Fay Golf

To “follow” Frank on Twitter click here

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2012 Rules Changes-Rule 19-1 Ball In Motion Deflected-Playing By The Rules

Rule 19-1, Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped by Outside Agency, now includes an expansion to the Note to prescribe various outcomes when a ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency.  To quote the Rule Book:

“Note:  If a player’s ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency:

(a)    After stroke from anywhere other than on the putting green, the spot where the ball would have come to rest must be estimated.  If the spot is:

(i)through the green or in a hazard, the ball must be dropped as near as possible to that spot;

(ii)out of bounds, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1; or

(iii)on the putting green, the ball must be placed on that spot.

(b)    After stroke on the putting green, the stroke is cancelled.  The ball must be replaced and replayed.

If the outside agent is a fellow-competitor or his caddie, Rule 1-2 applies to the fellow-competitor.

(Players ball deflected or stopped by another ball – See Rule 19-5)”

Formerly, Rule 19-1 provided that if a players ball was “purposely” deflected or stopped by an outside agency (eg: a spectator), the principles of equity were applied to determine the point from where the ball was to be played.  A number of rules decisions provided guidance.  The new note to 19-1 clarifies this situation.  Thomas Pagel, the Senior Director of Rules of Golf for the USGA, explained that these changes were driven by a desire to add more certainty to the rule.

Frank Guastella, PGA Master Professional

Michigan PGA Rules Official

Staff Writer for Mike Fay Golf

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2012 Rules Changes-Rule 6-3a Time of Starting-Playing By The Rules

Our articles on the principal changes in the Rules of Golf for 2012 – 15 continues as we discuss “Rule 6-3a Time of Starting”.  Rule 6-3a has been amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to the loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play.  Previously, this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.

Though many golfers will notice this revision, the Rules will be more forgiving to players who get to the tee late, but within five minutes, of their starting time.  In the past, if a player arrived late to the tee, they were disqualified unless the Committee had added a condition of competition that allowed for a five minute grace period, which would modify the penalty to two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.  The 2012 revision modifies the rule to match the current condition of the competition.  Now, only players that arrive more than five minutes after the starting time will be disqualified.

Frank Guastella, PGA Master Professional

Michigan PGA Rules Official

Staff Writer for Mike Fay Golf

To “follow” Frank on Twitter click here

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2012 Amateur Rules Changes-Playing By The Rules

Amateur players are going to be pleased with some of the rule changes for 2012.  Amateur golfers all over the world will now be allowed to play for unlimited hole – in – one prizes.

In the past, the rules allowed for amateurs to receive only small prizes, and that accepting something of greater value would force golfers to surrender their amateur status.  In one high profile instance, Derek Lawrenson, a golf writer for The Daily Mail newspaper in London, England won a Lamborghini but had to forfeit his amateur status.  The governing bodies of the USGA and R & A have determined that “the special nature of a hole – in –one during a round of golf means that restrictions on the prizes offered have been lifted.”

In addition, the new Rules of Amateur Status include changes for elite amateur golfers aimed at easing the move from amateur to professional.  It follows a far-reaching four-year review of amateurism in golf, which even questioned the need for a set of rules and has resulted in the first-ever uniform worldwide code for amateur status.

“We felt the time was right to carry out a fundamental review of the Rules of Amateur Status”, said R & A Director of Rules David Rickman.  “We were conscious that many sports had done away with amateur status rules and we felt that was an appropriate question for us to ask.  We concluded that it is very important that golf retains its amateur regulations, mainly because of the self-regulating nature of the game both in terms of the playing rules and handicapping,”  he added.  “We felt that uncontrolled financial incentives could place too much pressure on these important features.”

Excluding hole – in – one prizes from the general prize limit and allowing high value prizes, including cash, to be awarded brings the R & A in line with the USGA.

Also under the new rules aimed at amateurs thinking of a professional career, players will now be able to enter into an agreement with an agent or sponsor as long as they do not receive any financial gain while still and amateur.

Frank Guastella

Michigan PGA Rules Official

Staff Writer for Mike Fay Golf

To “follow” Frank on Twitter click here

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