RULES OF GOLF – CLICK TO PLAY
RULES OF AMATEUR STATUS – CLICK TO PLAY
Rules Of Golf: Changes For The Better
BRIAN HEWITT
Once every four years the USGA and the
R&A jointly release changes, revisions and
exceptions to the existing Rules of Golf.
Today is that day.
A quick perusal of the principal
changes to the code, effective Jan. 1, 2012,
shows a growing and sensible effort on the
parts of both of golf’s governing bodies to
continue to move toward user-friendly uni-
formity and away from vexing ambiguity.
“Simplification has been a goal of both
committees for a long time,” the USGA’s
Thomas Pagel told Global Golf Post.
Pagel is the USGA’s director of the
Rules of Golf. He and the R&A’s director
of Rules and Equipment Standards, David
Rickman, are their committee’s respective
point men for the newest changes. And
their work is proof positive the USGA and
R&A are paying attention to what is hap-
pening at the highest levels of the game as
well as at its grassiest roots.
PLAIN LANGUAGE ON
TWO RULES CHANGES
YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT
THE MOST
w Rule 1-2: Ball Moving After
Address
If the wind moves your ball
after it has been addressed,
it is no longer a penalty.
w New Rule 2-2 (b): Professional Agents, Sponsors and
Other Third Parties
If you are 18 or older, you
can sign with an agent and
remain an amateur as long
as you don’t receive any
money or other financial gain
while still an amateur.
