GOLF’S MODERNISED RULES RELEASED
The R&A and the USGA have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, implemented on 1 January 2019.
The R&A and the USGA 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.
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.
Full details of the new Rules of Golf can be found on the R&A website via this link:
Reference Materials
Three important publications covering the 2019 rules, will help players as well as officials 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 include illustrations. It is intended to be a more thorough version of the revised Rules.
- 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 comprehensive resource document intended as a supplementary publication.
Rules Roadshows
Wales Golf completed a series of workshops in Autumn 2018 on the 2019 Rules of Golf. Every affiliated club in Wales had the opportunity to send representatives and will be using the information to go back and educate their membership on the key changes coming in to affect. If you want to check out the presentation from the day please follow this link. Rules and Handicap Roadshow Presentation PDF . For any questions please use the email address below.
Rules Schools
Wales Golf, alongside the R&A, conducted Level 2 Rules Schools at Bangor St. Deiniol Golf Club and Celtic Manor Resort in January 2019. Ongoing education will be undertaken by Wales Golf in forthcoming years.
Rules Queries
The Wales Golf Championship Team will be happy to assist with any Rules queries that arise at your club. Questions can be emailed to Wales Golf at rules@walesgolf.org.