We are three months into the new year and with that our implementation to the new Rules of Golf have been felt in each round of golf that we play. The top 5 rule changes that keep being discussed in our golf circles are:
- The new way to drop the ball in taking relief
- The new local rule for playing out of bounds or lost balls
- Allowing the golfer to remove loose impediments and also grounding the club in a penalty area
- Putting with the flagstick in while the ball is on the putting green
- The fixing of spike marks or other damage on the putting green
The above five have had an impact for every golfer during their round. I would like to hear the good and bad from all of you out there. What kind of impact have the above rules made on your game this year? Has it been an easy transition or difficult? Do you think the rules are easier/better for the golfer than in the past?
Sound off and let me know your thoughts…
Patrick O’Hara, PGA
Golf Operations Manager
In general I like the new rules. More specifically leaving the flag in while putting has the side effect of allowing the group behind to range-find the distance to the flag. May save a little time. What i find a little stressing is the new more common practice of trying to “pop” balls out of the cup by pulling up on the flag post because it was left in. This has a great potential for damaging the cup edge for follow up groups. You might instruct golfers “not to do that” but it will likely be ignored. I suggest adding a small tray to the bottom of the flag post as are used on the small flag posts on the practice greens. That will allow a smooth retrieval. Put it in the next budget request.
FYI: for those who might want to know. I was interested to know whether the flag posts on greens were larger or the same as those short posts on the practice greens. I brought my micrometer to one of the courses and sampled a few of each. They were the same diameter. So if you can make putts on the practice greens with those flags in place you’ll most likely have the same luck on the greens. If you can’t make putts on the practice greens, well …..
I agree. I prefer to take the flag out on short uphill putts, but that’s me.
I think generally that it speeds up the game.