The CSGA Links Volume 5 Issue 1 April 2017 | Page 37

USGA Announces Biggest Overhaul of Rules Since 1984
The R&A and the USGA recently announced a major set of proposed changes
to the Rules of Golf. These changes result from a Rules Modernization
initiative that began five years ago in an effort to bring the Rules up to
date to fit the needs of the game today globally. This initiative had two
guiding themes:
- Even far-reaching Rule changes should be open for discussion, but golf’s
essential principles and character must be preserved.
- Revisions should be assessed with all golfers in mind, so that the Rules
are easier to understand and apply not only for professionals and elite
amateurs, but also for beginners, high-handicappers and typical club and
recreational golfers at all levels of play around the world.
We hope that the proposed changes will be a major step forward in
pursuing the following goals and objectives:
Overall Goals
We want the Rules of Golf to:
- Be more easily understood and applied by all golfers;
- Be more consistent, simple and fair; and
- Reinforce the game’s longstanding principles and character.
Specific Objectives for Revising the Substance of the Rules
We want the new Rules to:
- Use concepts, procedures and outcomes that are more intuitive and
easier to learn;
- Use a consistent approach for similar situations;
- Avoid unnecessary concepts and exceptions that may create “penalty
traps” for the player; and
- Support broader objectives for the game, such as pace of play and
environmental stewardship.
Specific Objectives for How the Rules are Presented
We want the revised Rules materials to:
- Be written in a modern, plain style that uses more common words,
shorter sentences and explanatory headings, and that ends the use of
male-only references;
- Be easier to translate into other languages;
- Make greater use of visual aids such as graphics, photos and videos;
- Clarify the purposes and principles underlying each of the main Rules;
- Include a version of the Rules that is written from the player’s perspective
and focuses on what the typical golfer needs to know; and
- Use technology to make it easier to search and review the Rules, both on
and off the course.
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CSGA Links // April, 2017 | 37