By Richard Todd
With the new USGA Golf Rules that went into effect January 1, 2019 and the recent rulings about professional caddies standing behind their player, Ohio Golf Journal’s Golf Rules expert, Richard Todd explains the new rule.
A caddie has great knowledge of the course and can help your round be more enjoyable, by assisting in varying actions, and even lower your score, by proving a higher level of course management.
But, beware there are a few items in the rules of golf that restrict a caddie’s performance. 
In the situation where you can’t see your target, the flagstick, or the line of play, a caddy can stand on the line, point to your intended area, and even hold up a flag to show you where to play. They cannot, however, stay on that line, in front of or behind you, or in that position when you take your stroke.
USGA rule #10.2b now forbids the caddy be on the line as you take your stance, stating:
A player’s caddy must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball for any reason.
The USGA explains that it’s the players responsibility for alignment and judgement in their stroke. As the golfer, you are not allowed to place an object as a reference point, either. Thus, laying down your towel in order to know the line of play is a breach of the rules.
The same application of the rule extends to the putting green.
A player could have an unfair advantage if their caddy stood on the ball’s path to show the line of the putt as the golfer took his stroke.
In a team format, your partner is not allowed to act like a caddy in these scenarios either.
A caddy, or playing partner, can also not stand in such a fashion to block sun, wind, or rain, in an attempt to provide an unfair advantage.
An enhancement to the rules of golf now allows the player’s caddie to mark and lift the player’s ball on the putting green any time the player is allowed to do so, without needing authorization. Prior, the player had to provide the permission.
Just remember, it is your responsibility, as the golfer, for your own stroke, and that includes alignment, confronting the course and conditions; and strokes for your game. A caddy can help but adherence to the rules, etiquette, pace of play, and scoring falls on the player.
Do you agree with the recent rule changes? Let me know your thoughts.
For additional help with the rules, visit TheGolfRules.com.
