For years, golfers in many golf clubs have, with the OK from playing partners, played ‘ready golf’ and now the practice is formalised in one of ten main changes to the rules of golf.
A list of 20 must know rules of golf changes, effective from January 1, 2019, is available from pro shops.
Also available is a list of 10 of those changes under the heading ‘The Main Changes’, the last of which is titled ‘Ready Golf’ in stableford, stroke play and par, with the comment that the new rules actively encourage ready golf which applies from tee to green.
There’s a new dropping height, with all drops required to be dropped from knee height. The time allowed to search for a ball reduces from five to three minutes.
Putting with the flagstick in is allowed, spike mark on green is now allowed and there’s no longer a penalty for accidental movement of ball or ball-marker on the green. Removal of loose impediments in bunker or penalty area is now allowed.
For the past five years, golf’s governing bodies have been working on a makeover of the rules of golf.
As of January 1, 2019 the results of the first fundamental review in 34 years came into effect.
Facebook feedback to the changes has largely been favourable.