New rules will put golfers on speed!

Shona Manco

Golf is probably the only sport that even has rules to define integrity in the game. In world sports, integrity is being challenged by sportspersons and officials, but the new rules of golf, which come into effect in January 2019, specify that “a player’s reasonable judgement” will also be taken into consideration while evaluating fair play. In other words, a golfer’s intention “will not be second-guessed based on 

later evidence (TV or video recordings)”.

This comes into effect after numerous incidents of players being disqualified after an enthusiastic viewer or referee spotted a breach of rule on TV and reported it.

“The main purpose of the new rules is to improve the pace of play and to shorten the stipulated time taken to play a round. Currently it takes about four hours and 20 minutes to play a competitive round of golf,” says Harjinder Kang, a leading amateur and referee on tour.  “Once these rules are implemented, it is hoped that it will reduced playing time by 7 or 8 minutes per player, which is quite significant. This will also help referees as there is a limit to how much we can push players and improve pace of play as we have other rulings and situations which often take precedence.”

In a first, an alternative form of stroke play has also been introduced in the rules where a player’s score can be capped at a double par or a nett double bogey. At present players have to hole out to complete the hole regardless of the number of strokes they have already taken, sometimes causing great frustration to players standing in the fourball behind who watch agitatedly as those ahead of them go from one shot to the next in a desperate attempt to get near the hole and finish it. There will also be a stipulation on the time taken to play a shot. “The ratio is 40:30:30,” explains Kang. “The first player to hit will be allowed 40 seconds while the other two in the group have to hit their shots in 30 seconds.”

Ready golf will be encouraged, which means a player can hit his shot as and when he is ready as long as it is safe and no one else gets disturbed. To further this, more penalty areas will be acknowledged and marked. Players can putt with the flagstick in the hole and a lot of lady golfers like my friend Dimple Minocha will have to get accustomed to putting without help from their caddies to align them. Also, as per the new rules, the caddie can clean and place the ball without waiting for prior permission. Over-helpful caddies will, of course, have to be kept under check but that responsibility stands true at present as well. Occasionally one comes across a caddie whose zeal and enthusiasm to improve lies or place the ball closer to the hole has to be checked. Needless to say, sometimes they get rewarded for it too!

There is no penalty for removing loose impediments from bunkers. Players can touch the sand or even the green as long as it is not with the intention of improving the lie. Relief for an embedded ball is now classified as anywhere in the ‘general area’, a new term for “through the green” to avoid confusion. This is a marked improvement on the previous rule which allowed relief only on closely mown areas — fairways. Unfortunately, you will still have to play that fried egg or plugged ball out of the bunker.

There are no penalties for accidentally moving your ball while looking for it or for doing the same to your marker on the green. Damaged clubs will be tolerated more calmly, though damaging them in anger is still not acceptable. Distance Measuring Devices, one of the most interesting additions, have been legalised during play just as calculators are the norm these days. However, this will make the game more enjoyable for good golfers like Jaspreet Bakshi — a great golfer, he is lethal when he has his range-finder in his bag.

Most interesting is the category of Player Behaviour with sub headings for Integrity and Standards of Conduct. Playing in the Spirit of the game, sadly, too needs to be defined and the new rule explains and reinforces the high standards of conduct expected from players. It even gives committees the authority to disqualify players for serious misconduct on the course. A harsh addition for present times! 

The change comes into effect in January 2019

• A golfer’s intention “will not be second-guessed based on later evidence (TV or video recordings)”. 

• There will also be a stipulation on the time taken to play a shot. The first player to hit will be allowed 40 seconds while the other two will get 30 seconds each. 

• Players can putt with the flagstick in the hole

• There are no penalties for accidentally moving your ball while looking for it or for doing the same to your marker on the green