Ohio Golf Journal April 2019

Prior to January 1st, 2019, there was only one option if your ball was lost or hit out bounds. You were penalized “stroke and distance,” which meant you were required to drop a replacement ball fromwhere you last played, count the original stroke, plus add a penalty stroke. A new local rule now allows you to put a ball back into play in an area near where your ball likely would be for a two-stroke penalty. Stroke And Distance Option New Rule! S hortly after the new rules went into effect, I sent out my monthly golf newsletter. Immediately my dad called to ask for clarification on the new ‘stroke and distance’ option as the diagrams from the USGA weren’t clear to him. After 30 minutes of explaining, he had a better understanding, although he and his buddies likely still won’t adhere to the steps. As he said, “the rules of golf are confusing, and I’ve been golfing for sixty years.” I agree some rules are difficult to interpret and adhere to but there are good reasons to change the way you play this ancient game and strictly follow the rules. Let’s break down the new option and attempt to simplify it. By: The Rules Guy, Richard Todd Ohio Golf Journal Golf Rules