In advance of the modernization initiative to the Rules of Golf which will take effect in 2019, Golf Canada, in conjunction with the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), recently announced a new Local Rule effective January 1, 2018. The new Local Rule will eliminate the additional two-stroke penalty for failing to include a penalty on the score card when the player was unaware of the penalty.

In addition to this Local Rule, new protocols have been put in place to review video when applying the Rules of Golf at broadcasted events. For Golf Canada specifically, this will only impact our two professional opens and not have any impact on our amateur competitions.

For some time, it has been a point of contention with many enthusiasts of the game that viewer call-ins should not be permitted in our sport. Advances in technology and the use of high definition television and slow motion replay have added a level of complexity that has caused undesirable outcomes to many competitions in recent years.

Golf’s governing bodies felt this needed to be closely looked at and a group of experts from the PGA Tour, LPGA, PGA European Tour, Ladies European Tour and The PGA of America, as well as the governing bodies, was tasked with discussing the role video footage when applying the Rules.

As a result of these discussions over the last year, the protocol moving forward will be to assign one or more officials to monitor the video broadcast of a competition to help identify and resolve Rules issues as they arise. Committees will also discontinue any steps to facilitate or consider viewer call-ins as part of the Rules decision process.

All of the organizations represented on the working group will introduce the Local Rule for 2018, and this score card penalty will be permanently removed when the modernized Rules of Golf take effect on January 1, 2019.

As golf’s governing body, Golf Canada will be implementing this new Local Rule as part of their Standard Local Rules and Conditions of Competition for competitions in 2018.

If a committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule to modify the score card penalty, the following wording for the exception to Rule 6-6d is modified as follows:

“Exception: if a competitor returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken due to failure to include one or more penalty strokes that, before returning his score card, he did not know he had incurred, he is not disqualified. In such circumstances, the competitor incurs the penalty prescribed by the applicable rule, but there is no additional penalty for a breach of rule 6-6d. This exception does not apply when the applicable penalty is disqualification from the competition.”

Click here for more information on the Rules of Golf, or to send a rules question to our ‘Ask an Expert’ tool.

This article was originally published in the 2018 March edition of the Alberta Golfer magazine. 

The USGA and The R&A have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, to be implemented on 1 January 2019.

The USGA and The R&A finalised golf’s new Rules this month after an extensive review that included a request for feedback from the global golf community on the proposed changes. Golfers can now access the official 2019 Rules of Golf by visiting www.RandA.org or www.usga.org/rules.

The process to modernise the Rules began in 2012 and was initiated to ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body, Golf Canada worked alongside The R&A and the USGA on the Rules modernisation initiative.

#Golf‘s new rules will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. Here are 5 key changes ??#GolfRules2019⛳️

More ➡️ https://t.co/9pS0gslInt pic.twitter.com/Ct48VVtPvI

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) March 14, 2018

While the majority of proposed Rules remain intact in the final version, several important changes to the initial proposals and further clarification of many Rules were incorporated.

The most significant adjustments made following the review of feedback received from golfers around the world, includes:

• Dropping procedure: When taking relief (from an abnormal course condition or penalty area, for example), golfers will now drop from knee height. This will ensure consistency and simplicity in the dropping process while also preserving the randomness of the drop. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested dropping from any height).
• Measuring in taking relief: The golfer’s relief area will be measured by using the longest club in their bag (other than a putter) to measure one club-length or two club-lengths, depending on the situation, making for a consistent process for golfers to establish their relief area. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested a 20-inch or 80-inch standard measurement).
• Removing the penalty for a double hit: The penalty stroke for accidentally striking the ball more than once in the course of a stroke has been removed. Golfers will simply count the one stroke they made to strike the ball.  (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 included the existing one-stroke penalty).
• Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance: A new Local Rule will now be available in January 2019, permitting committees to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. This Local Rule addresses the concerns raised at the club level about the negative impact on pace of play when a player is required to go back under stroke and distance. The Local Rule is not intended for higher levels of play, such as professional or elite level competitions. (Key change:  this is a new addition to support pace of play)

“We’re thankful for the golfers, administrators and everyone in the game who took the time to provide us with great insight and thoughtful feedback,” said USGA Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status, Thomas Pagel. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new Rules ahead of their education and implementation.”

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We are pleased to be introducing the new Rules of Golf after a collaborative and wide-ranging review process which has embraced the views of golfers, rules experts and administrators worldwide. We believe that the new Rules are more in tune with what golfers would like and are easier to understand and apply for everyone who enjoys playing this great game.”

“The approach and process to modernise the Rules was critical to make meaningful changes that are relevant to all golfers worldwide beginning in 2019,” said Golf Canada Director of Rules, Competitions & Amateur Status, Adam Helmer. “We are confident that the outcome of this important initiative will be well received and we will work closely with our club, provincial and national partners to inform and educate Canadian golfers.”

Major proposals introduced in 2017 that have been incorporated into the modernised Rules include:

• Elimination or reduction of “ball moved” penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that he or she did so.
• Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.
• Relaxed rules for “penalty areas” (currently called “water hazards”): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
• Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.
• Relying on player integrity: A player’s “reasonable judgment” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.
• Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of “ready golf” in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play.

Presented in digital, text-based form today, the new Rules will also now be translated into more than 30 languages and readied for final delivery via print and digital formats, including searchable Rules of Golf official apps developed by The R&A and the USGA. The full version of the new Rules of Golf in French will be available soon and posted on Golf Canada’s Rules of Golf website at  https://golfcanada.ca/rules-of-golf/

Introducing the new Rules of #golf. Effective Jan. 1, 2019 #GolfRules2019

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Mar 12, 2018 at 7:58am PDT

Three important publications, to be distributed this September, will help players and officials, who regulate the game, and provide interpretation and guidance in how the Rules are applied:

• The Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf: An abridged, user-friendly set of the Rules with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, and diagrams. Written in the “second person,” The Player’s Edition is intended to be the primary publication for golfers.
• The Rules of Golf: The full edition of the Rules will be written in the third person and will include illustrations. The Rules of Golf is intended to be the primary publication for officials.
• The Official Guide to the Rules of Golf: This “guidebook” replaces the Decisions book and will contain information to best support committees and officials. It includes interpretations on the Rules, Committee procedures (available local rules and information on establishing the terms of the competition), and the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities. It is a “long-form” resource document intended as a supplementary publication.

More than 30 “how-to apply” videos and a summary of the principal changes are now available at www.RandA.org and www.usga.org/rules.  Additional education tools will be released in September.

Players are reminded that the current edition of the Rules of Golf (2016) must be applied when playing, posting scores or competing for the remainder of 2018. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and the USGA’s efforts to modernise golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

“Bifurcation” is a word we’re hearing more and more in the world of golf. It means to divide into two parts. But don’t let that simple definition fool you. It’s an increasingly controversial concept that strikes at the heart of the game as we know it.

The first area of the current bifurcation debate relates to the Rules of Golf. Should there be one set of guidelines for recreational golfers and another for elite amateurs and professionals?

The second bone of contention, which has set off near panic among many of my colleagues in the golf media and some golf administrators, is this: Are golf courses too short? Do we need to stretch them to 8,000 yards? Do we need to rein in the ever-advancing ball and club technology?

No. And no.

Wally Uihlein, the recently retired CEO of Acushnet Co., makers of Titleist clubs and balls, is the standard bearer for the unification movement.

Back in 2013, he addressed the idea of two sets of Rules in a blog wherein he refutes the three arguments most popular among bifurcation advocates:

Today’s professional game does not mirror today’s amateur game; Golf participation has matured and the adoption of different sets of rules will allow the game to renew its participation growth; Golfers just want to have fun—They do not play by the rules and the formalization of multiple sets of rules is just sanctioning what is already reality.

In summary, his response was that amateurs enjoy trying to emulate their professional heroes, no matter what the disparity in ability; participation fluctuations in the game is a demographic issue, not a rules issue and, “if golfers don’t play by the one set of rules that exist today, why are two sets of rules required?”

On the second prong of the bifurcation tempest—the impact of technology—Uihlein spoke out last November, this time in response to comments that technology is making the game more expensive for everyone by requiring courses to be longer and longer to withstand the onslaught on par. In a letter published in the Wall Street Journal , he asked, “Is there any evidence to support this canard … the trickle-down cost argument? Where is the evidence to support the argument that golf course operating costs nationwide are being escalated due to advances in equipment technology?”

While there is no denying that Tour pros are hitting it farther every year, albeit incrementally, this has not caused a crisis among recreational golfers. Who among us has ever complained, “Dammit! I’m hitting the ball too far these days!”

Having said that, that specious argument spiked when Dustin Johnson hit a 433-yard drive to within inches of the cup on a par-4 in Hawaii a couple of weeks back. (Even though Johnson averages 333 yards per measured drive, it should be noted that there was a 30-mile-an-hour tailwind on the downhill hole with a firm, fast fairway.)

But even the world’s No.1-ranked player downplayed this perceived crisis. “It’s not like we’re dominating golf courses,” he said. “I don’t really understand what all the debate is about because it doesn’t matter how far it goes, it’s about getting it into the hole.”

While technology is important, many other factors such as fitness and course conditions impact how far top players are hitting it. Despite that reality, some at golf’s highest levels think a standardized reduced-distance ball should be required for all PGA TOUR events, arguing that some classic courses have been made “obsolete” by today’s longer players. While this would indeed protect the artificial concept of “par,” it would diminish greatly the entertainment value of professional golf. Who didn’t get a thrill out of DJ’s 433-yard poke?

Adam Helmer is Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status. His view is that bifurcation “is not the answer at this point in time; golf must continue to evaluate trends and to evolve with advances in our sport.” For example, he points out that as of Jan. 1, 2019, sweeping changes will be made to the Rules of Golf. As well, distance-measuring devices are legal for even the highest echelon of amateur golf and are not allowed on most of the professional tours. And tournament committees are allowed to set specific Conditions of Competition and make local rules to make the competition fair.

Fewer than 0.1 per cent of the estimated 61 million golfers around the world are professionals. That they are the catalyst for this bifurcation brouhaha is, in my opinion, a classic case of a very small tail wagging a very big dog.

Click here to learn more about the upcoming changes to the Rules of golf.

FAR HILLS, N.J. USA and ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – A working group led by the USGA and The R&A has unanimously agreed to adopt a new set of protocols for video review when applying the Rules of Golf.

The group, consisting of the PGA TOUR, LPGA, PGA European Tour, Ladies European Tour and The PGA of America, as well as the governing bodies, will implement the following measures from January 1, 2018:

• Assign one or more officials to monitor the video broadcast of a competition to help identify and resolve Rules issues as they arise
• Discontinue any steps to facilitate or consider viewer call-ins as part of the Rules decision process

In addition, the USGA and The R&A have approved the adoption of a Local Rule, available from January 1, to eliminate the additional two-stroke penalty for failing to include a penalty on the score card when the player was unaware of the penalty. All of the organizations represented on the working group will introduce the Local Rule for 2018, and this score card penalty will be permanently removed when the modernized Rules of Golf take effect on January 1, 2019.

As golf’s governing body in Canada, Golf Canada will implement this new Rule in at all amateur competitions in 2018.

The USGA and The R&A established the video review working group in April to initiate a collaborative discussion on the role video footage can play when applying the Rules, including the challenges and benefits of its use and also the issues that arise from viewer call-ins.

“The level of collaboration with our partners has been both vital and gratifying as we look to the future,” said Thomas Pagel, USGA senior director of the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. “As technology has continued to evolve, it has allowed us to evolve how we operate, as well.” [To watch an interview on usga.org with Pagel on Video Review, plus a copy of the protocols and full Local Rule, click here]

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “This has clearly become an important issue in the sport that we felt we should address at this stage ahead of the implementation of the updated Rules of Golf in 2019.

No more call-ins ✅
Local Rule eliminates scorecard penalty ✅
Big changes are coming to video review for televised golf events in 2018.https://t.co/RWaKDgdFpw pic.twitter.com/xfXb9D3M66

— USGA (@USGA) December 11, 2017

“We have concluded that whilst players should continue to be penalized for all breaches of the Rules during a competition, including any that come to light after the score card is returned, an additional penalty for the score card error is not required.”

The new protocols also recognize the importance of limiting video review to material obtained from the committee’s broadcast partner. Other video, such as from an individual’s smartphone or camera, will not be used under these protocols.

The new protocols and Local Rule are the latest measures announced by the USGA and The R&A to address concerns related to video evidence. In April, Decision 34-3/10 was issued to limit the use of video through the introduction of a “reasonable judgement” standard and a “naked eye” standard.

For more information, see usga.org or randa.org.

FAR HILLS, N.J. – Mark Newell, of McLean, Va., has been nominated to serve a one-year term as 65th president of the United States Golf Association (USGA) by the USGA Nominating Committee. He would replace Diana Murphy, who is completing her second and final one-year term.

Newell, a five-year member of the USGA Executive Committee, has chaired the Rules of Golf Committee since 2012. During that time, he has co-led the joint USGA/R&A Rules modernization project, which will result in major Rules changes in 2019. He also chaired the USGA Handicap Committee and spent four years as co-chair of the World Handicap Initiative, which developed the proposed USGA/R&A World Handicap System that is scheduled to debut in 2020.

Newell’s nomination comes alongside those of four new nominees to the Executive Committee, including three-time major champion and former World No. 1 player Nick Price, and a new general counsel.

The other new nominees to the 15-member Executive Committee, a volunteer group that serves as the Association’s executive policy-making board, are Paul G. Brown, Kendra Graham and Sharon Ritchey. Richard A. Shortz has been nominated as general counsel.

If elected at the USGA’s Annual Meeting on Feb. 3, 2018, in Miami, Fla., the nominees would replace departing Committee members Murphy, Sheila Johnson, George Still and Thomas Hough. Robert Weber will also retire as general counsel.

“Once again, the USGA is the beneficiary of having an incredibly talented group of nominees,” said Jim Hyler, chair of the Nominating Committee and former USGA president. “These individuals have the best interests of the game in mind, and we look forward to them continuing the great work accomplished by the previous Committee.”

The Executive Committee candidates have a wealth of experience in industries that include golf, corporate business, finance and banking. Each nominee has already made selfless contributions to the sport at the local, amateur, collegiate and professional levels.

Get To Know USGA President-Elect Mark Newell, who would serve as the 65th president in the Association’s history. pic.twitter.com/RIpLLsh8lb

— USGA (@USGA) October 30, 2017

“We are extremely grateful for all the hard work of our outgoing Executive Committee members and general counsel, who have selflessly volunteered their time and expertise to the benefit of our mission for the past several years,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “That includes a special thank you to Diana for her leadership, dedication and support over the past two years, which will have a lasting impact.

“The new nominee group truly embodies the mission of the USGA, by helping to make the game more accessible, playable, and enjoyable for everyone. Their expertise, insight, and knowledge will help grow the game in ways that will be beneficial for every golfer.”

Notable experience and achievements of the nominees are as follows:

Nick Price, of Hobe Sound, Fla., is a three-time major champion, World Golf Hall of Fame member and one of the best players of his era. A native of Zimbabwe, Price won 18 times on the PGA Tour, earned two PGA Tour Player of the Year Awards (1993, 1994), and spent 43 weeks as the No. 1 player in the world. He was the 2005 recipient of the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor. Price competed five times for the International Team in the Presidents Cup and has served as captain three times, including 2017. In addition to his career on the course, Price has immersed himself in golf course design, with a portfolio of courses all over the world.

Kendra Graham, of Winter Park, Fla., worked for the USGA in Rules and Competitions from 1987 to 2003 and has devoted a lifetime of service to the game of golf. Graham was one of the first women to work as a Rules official at the Masters in 1994, and she was the first American woman to officiate at The Open Championship in 1995. She has worked as a Rules official for more than 20 major championships. A graduate of Wake Forest University, where she played on the golf team, Graham won several junior events and has competed in three USGA championships. A breast cancer survivor, Graham is an avid fundraiser for charitable efforts, including the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen For The Cure, and the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation.

Sharon Ritchey, of Asheville, N.C., has spent her career in the financial sector, most recently serving as senior executive director and chief customer officer for AXA US, one of the largest and most recognized insurance brands in the world. Prior to AXA, Ritchey worked at The Hartford Financial Services, where she helped support the sports marketing program, including the sponsorship of the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship. Ritchey furthered her commitment to the game by supporting the creation of the women’s golf program at the University of North Carolina Asheville. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, she currently serves on the board of the LPGA Foundation.

Paul G. Brown, of Brookeville, Md., has nearly four decades of experience in the banking industry, most recently serving as executive vice president of City First Bank, the only bank in the nation’s capital that provides financial services to under-served communities in the region. Brown has served as an official at 35 USGA championships – including seven U.S. Opens – and is a member of the Junior Amateur Championship Committee. Brown earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Bucknell University.

Richard A. Shortz, of Los Angeles, Calif., has practiced law for more than 40 years, supporting major corporations and leading initiatives in the field of corporate governance. A junior club champion at age 15, Shortz has had a passion for golf throughout his life. At The Los Angeles Country Club, he has served in various roles, including chair of the club’s U.S. Open Committee. Shortz, a graduate of Indiana University and Harvard Law School, served in the United States Army as a second lieutenant.

Two current members of the Executive Committee have been nominated to serve as officers. They are Mark Reinemann as secretary and Thomas Barkin as treasurer. Other current members nominated to continue their service are: J. Michael Bailey, Stephen Beebe, J. Stuart Francis, Robert Kain, Martha Lang, Gregory Morrison, Clifford Shahbaz and William Siart.

For more information on the USGA, visit www.usga.org.

Canadian golfers are used to all kinds of playing conditions. Blistering hot, cold and windy, wet days and, of course, those dreaded frost delays. When such challenging conditions exist, a superintendent or club committee may take action to try to preserve areas of the course — or the entire course — by instituting a Preferred Lies rule. Comically, I’ve heard this referred to as Lift, Clean and Cheat on more than one occasion.

While professional competitions are rarely played under these circumstances — when weather is extremely poor, they simply suspend play until they can resume or cancel the round — we get numerous questions regarding these so-called “Winter Rules.” The most common one is whether scores for handicapping are permitted when these rules are in effect.

First, let’s define what preferred lies are. Preferred Lies (or Winter Rules) is a local rule that may be adopted by the committee in charge of a course when adverse conditions are so apparent throughout a course that improving the lie of the ball in a specified way would promote fair play and help protect the turf. Scores made when this local rule is in effect must be posted for handicap purposes unless the committee (preferably the Handicap Committee) determines that conditions are so poor that such scores are not to be posted, in which case the committee should really consider suspending play anyway. For clarification, individual golfers playing the course do not independently decide whether scores are acceptable because of this condition.

It’s important to note that there are also pitfalls in adopting Preferred Lies. When invoked, it conflicts with the fundamental principle of playing the ball as it lies. Winter rules are sometimes adopted under the guise of protecting the course when, in fact, the practical effect is just the opposite — it permits moving the ball to the best turf, from which divots are then taken and the course is injured further. Also, Preferred Lies generally lead to lower scores and Handicap Factors. To mitigate this, a committee should ensure that its course’s normal scoring difficulty is maintained as much as possible through the adjustment of tee markers and related methods.

Therefore, while Preferred Lies may seem like a good idea for players and courses, adopting them may be counterintuitive. It’s a good idea to carefully consider each situation or condition before coming to a final decision.

Active score posting season for each province can be found here.

This article was originally published in the Fall Issue of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine.

The USGA and The R&A have received comments on the proposed new Rules from more than 22,000 golfers in 102 countries, as well as representatives of golf organizations throughout the world, providing valuable feedback as the organizations work toward their implementation on January 1, 2019.
With the worldwide survey and evaluation period now complete, the USGA and The R&A and their respective committees will continue to review all comments received with the goal of finalizing the new Rules next spring and beginning a comprehensive education program later in 2018.

The USGA and The R&A began an extensive review of the Rules starting in 2012, with the intent of making them easier to understand and apply. A draft of the new Rules – reduced from the current 34 to a proposed 24 Rules – was released in March, beginning the six-month feedback period that was open to the entire golf community.

“After listening to golfers and reviewing the extensive comments, one thing is very clear – we all share a passion for the game and are eager to be a part of this process,” said Thomas Pagel, USGA senior director of Rules and Amateur Status. “We appreciate everyone who took time to provide their thoughts and insights. They have been very helpful and encouraging.”

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “It is pleasing to see that so many people from different parts of the world have taken this opportunity to engage with the process of modernizing the Rules. We have received insightful comments and suggestions from throughout the professional and amateur game and will take time to consider the feedback in detail. We will then work on finalizing the changes ahead of their implementation in 2019.”

While the feedback will continue to be analyzed over the next few months, several common themes emerged, including:

Golfers are enthusiastic about the scope and direction of the overall changes, such as pace-of-play improvements, the elimination of penalties and streamlined procedures.

Golfers provided the most feedback on the proposed Rules changes focused on the putting green (such as putting with the flagstick left in the hole, repairing spike marks and eliminating the penalty for accidentally moving a ball); the creation of “penalty areas” (extending water hazard type relief and eliminating penalties for moving loose impediments and grounding a club); and the new dropping procedures (including the size of “relief areas”).

Golfers strongly welcomed the new Player’s Edition of the Rules and found it much easier to read and understand.

The current 2016 edition of the Rules of Golf remains in effect when playing, posting scores or competing until the Jan. 1, 2019 adoption of the new Rules.

For more information on the proposed new Rules of Golf, see usga.org or randa.org.

Discussions around the use of video evidence and viewer call-ins continue to evolve

In conjunction with the Rules Modernization Initiative, golf’s governing bodies have been discussing video evidence at length. In fact, a draft of language regarding video evidence and the use of such information was ready to be included among the proposed changes to the 2019 Rules of Golf.

Instead, a new decision to limit the use of video evidence was implemented immediately in order to address unintended consequences as a result of the increasing prevalence of technology in the game.

For some golf purists, who strongly stand by the game’s values of honour and integrity, this may provoke a negative reaction. It’s understood that players are responsible for knowing the rules and officials are there to assist and apply the rules.

Since the game is predominantly played without the supervision of a rules official, players are expected to report any violations and accept any incurred penalties from doing so no matter how severe.

Nevertheless the controversies at major championships, such as Tiger Woods incorrectly dropping from a water hazard at the 2013 Masters, Dustin Johnson’s golf ball slightly moving at the 2016 U.S. Open and Lexi Thompson misplacing her ball at the ANA Inspiration in April, continue to arise. These incidents, however, were only distinguishable through the use of video replay, which can be slowed down or zoomed in if necessary.

This new decision by the game’s governing bodies is intended to address that issue and outlines two standards for committees to limit the use of video. Firstly, when video reveals evidence that could not reasonably be seen with the naked eye, and secondly, when players use their reasonable judgment to determine a specific location, point or distance when applying the rules.

Golf’s governing bodies have also formed a working group of LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, Ladies European Tour and PGA of America representatives to immediately begin a comprehensive review of broader video issues, including viewer call-ins, which arise in televised competitions.

Ultimately the responsibility of any rules official and tournament committee is to protect the field and ensure everyone plays to the same standards. On the flip side, this mandate also protects the players and prevents microscopic details from determining champions.

To view the full text of the new Decision 34-3/10, click here.

This article was originally published in the Summer Issue edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine

Traditional stroke play isn’t the only way to tee it up. Craig Loughry Golf Canada Director of Handicapping & Course rating explains a number of team formats available to spice up your next game.

Last fall, the PGA Tour announced a big change to its Zurich Classic of New Orleans event. Like most stops, it had been an individual stroke play tournament since its inception in 1938 but that is no longer the case.

This year, and moving forward, it was conducted as a team format played in partners of two, with two rounds of foursomes and two rounds of four-ball stroke play.

It’s worth reviewing these team formats in some detail. Foursomes is a competition in which two golfers team as partners and alternately play one ball.

Meanwhile four-ball is a competition in which teammates play their own ball with the lower score between the two on each hole counting as the team’s score. This is also known as better-ball.

I won’t argue that these formats could probably be better named or labelled, as it’s not evident what they mean simply by reading them. Better-ball is too often confused with a scramble; four-ball seems like it would be a four-person team; and foursomes just sounds like a group that is playing in one slotted tee time.

I’ve heard through the years that it would be great if this was less confusing and their names derive from the fact they are usually part of a match-play competition pitting two teams of two head to head (hence four balls in play or a foursome in play).

However, once you get accustomed to the terms, it’s digestible. And Stableford, well that’s named after the inventor of the points game. That format dates back to the 1930s (and can be played by a team in several ways).

I highly recommend checking for these formats in either the Rules of Golf or more specifically in the Golf Canada Handicap Manual (Section 9), which can be conveniently found on our website.

When the Zurich Classic format change was announced, I heard and read comments that golf could use a shot in the arm with more team play. Most people referenced the Presidents Cup (run by the PGA Tour), Ryder Cup (PGA of America/European Tour) and Solheim Cup (LPGA Tour/Ladies European Tour) as perfect examples of exciting team golf. Both exhibitions use these forms of team play, which — judging by the television audiences and player comments — is key to the allure of these events.

Congratulations to our winning team, Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith! Your 2017 Zurich Classic of New Orleans Champions! #teamgolf pic.twitter.com/i8OKDLDtwd

— Zurich Classic (@Zurich_Classic) May 1, 2017

I don’t disagree, since golf is perceived to be an individual sport despite one generally played with two or three others in a group. Similarly, it seems natural and logical that team play would slide in seamlessly and add an element of friendly competition.

I’d like to help change the perception of golf being an individual sport so I did a little digging in the archives. I knew the aforementioned formats were mentioned in the Rules of Golf specifically (Sections 29-30 and 31) and that they have been around for a long time.

What I wasn’t sure of was how long these formats have existed, as the sport of golf can be traced back to 1467 (some 560 years — just think about that history). My research showed that these forms of play were first officially documented in the early 1800s, although I’d bet they existed long before that.

Even outside of golf’s top tours, team formats have been enjoyed at the club level for at least 200 years. All you have to do is look at how many clubs run team competitions, or member/guest events, which are typically four-ball stroke play. This is a great format because if you are playing badly — much worse than your partner on a particular hole — you can just pick up, pull out the pom-poms and cheer on your pal.

And let’s not forget, the Handicap System can be used to set these events up equitably for all golfers. There is an entire section in the Handicap Manual (Section 9-4) that explains various allowances for recommended use to ensure these formats are played fairly.

Anyone who’s played in such team events knows about the thrill of competing with a friend (such as my partner Ray, who I call “Mr. Clutch”) and the added social engagement it contains. I’d certainly encourage the golfing public to give these formats a try if you haven’t already.

This article was originally published in the Family Issue edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine

From April 27 – 30, Golf Canada held the second installment of its Tournament Administration and Referees’ School (TARS) at Richmond Country Club in Richmond, B.C.

Over 50 participants from across the country gathered to attend the seminar that featured some of the most knowledgeable and well-versed Rules of Golf experts. Distinguished presenters at TARS 2.0 included:

• Shona McRae, Assistant Director of Rules, R&A
• Diane Barabé, Chair, Rules and Amateur Status Committee, Golf Canada (2017-present)
• Dale Jackson, Past Chair, Rules and Amateur Status Committee, Golf Canada (2012-2017)
• Dean Ryan, Rules Official, PGA TOUR; Past Chair, Rules and Amateur Status Committee (2008-2012)
• Jean Stone-Séguin, Amateur Status Chair, Golf Canada (2016–present)
• Adam Helmer, Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status, Golf Canada
• Mary Beth McKenna, Manager of Rules and Competition, Golf Canada

Participants arrived on the Thursday to write the Level 3 or Level 4 Rules of Golf exam in hopes of achieving the 85th percentile required to become a certified Golf Canada Rules Official.

Following the exam, a reception was held at the Richmond Olympic Oval, where Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics speed skating competitions.

Upon arrival, guests were invited to the ROX Theatre where they viewed a short inspirational video, detailing the experience of what it would be like as an athlete pursuing the Olympic dream.

The venue also offered participants the chance to try various interactive simulators, including ski jumping, bobsledding, and many more.

Golf Canada also presented Bill Klein with the 2016 Volunteer of the Year award.

Some of the highlighted topics included discussion on the Rules Modernization Project, insights and perspectives from players about the Rules of Golf, and a roundtable on the art of refereeing.

The seminar also offered various practical demonstrations to supplement the lessons and topics covered in presentations.

“I enjoyed meeting Golf Canada staff in person, most of which was for the first time. I was grateful for the opportunity to learn from others with a substantial amount of experience and wisdom,” said a TARS participant.

On the final day of the seminar, participants took to the course for role playing sessions to test their application of the knowledge absorbed from the previous two days.

Instructors would demonstrate different rules scenarios for groups and ask for a  Rules Official to make a ruling.

The role-playing sessions were well received by all participants, as it provided a valuable opportunity to experience what it would be like officiating in an actual tournament.

A huge thank you to the instructors who did an excellent job sharing their experiences and instilling wisdom into the keen group of participants who attended.

In addition, Golf Canada would like to thank Richmond Country Club for providing the extraordinary service and hosting the seminar at its beautiful facilities. Finally, Golf Canada would like to thank everyone who attended TARS 2017.

There was a tremendous amount of great feedback that will be considered for the next installment. We hope to see everyone at future seminars as well as on-course officiating at events. Thank you for your dedication and support of golf in Canada.

To view pictures taken throughout TARS 2.0, please click here.