Official Guide to the Rules of Golf

The complete official guide to the Rules of golf and their interpretations, from the R&A.

Following seven years of consultations, on 1st January 2019 the governing bodies of the Rules of golf will implement the most comprehensive Rules changes seen in the game for 37 years.

In a bid to make the Rules more accessible and straightforward The R&A and USGA have reworded every Rule and made alterations that will affect the way every golfer in the world plays the game - some 60 million people.

The Rules will be reduced from 34 to 24 and some of the changes will create ripples throughout the world of sport. They include:

Reduction of 'ball moved' penalties.

Relaxed putting green rules.

Relaxed bunker rules.

A bigger reliance on a player's 'reasonable judgment'.

Reduced search times.

The abandonment of the 'furthest from the hole plays first' etiquette in favour of 'ready golf'.

Relaxed procedure for dropping the ball.

The book will also include modified rules for players with disabilities and guidelines for committees.

This is the Rules book that every serious golfer will need.

Formed in 2004 and based in St Andrews, The R&A engages in and supports activities undertaken for the benefit of the sport of golf, and organises The Open, golf's oldest and most international Major championship. Together with the USGA, The R&A governs the sport of golf worldwide, operating in separate jurisdictions while sharing a commitment to a single code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and Equipment Standards.The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, governs worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, with the consent of 156 organisations from amateur and professional golf, and on behalf of over 30 million golfers in 143 countries.

The complete official guide to the Rules of golf and their interpretations, from the R&A. Following seven years of consultations, on 1st January 2019 the governing bodies of the Rules of golf will implement the most comprehensive Rules changes seen in the game for 37 years.In a bid to make the Rules more accessible and straightforward The R&A and USGA have reworded every Rule and made alterations that will affect the way every golfer in the world plays the game - some 60 million people.The Rules will be reduced from 34 to 24 and some of the changes will create ripples throughout the world of sport. They include:Reduction of 'ball moved' penalties.Relaxed putting green rules.Relaxed bunker rules.A bigger reliance on a player's 'reasonable judgment'.Reduced search times.The abandonment of the 'furthest from the hole plays first' etiquette in favour of 'ready golf'.Relaxed procedure for dropping the ball.The book will also include modified rules for players with disabilities and guidelines for committees.This is the Rules book that every serious golfer will need.

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