Shortly 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.
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 from where 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.
Interestingly, many golfers have been playing with this rule long before it was created, although illegally and with one or no penalty strokes. Primarily for pace of play reasons
To properly use this alternative to stroke and distance…
- Determine the spot where your golf ball went out of bounds or is likely to be lost,
- Find the nearest fairway edge, no closer to the hole,
- Drop your golf ball within 2 club lengths of this spot,
- Add two penalty strokes.
A golfer still has the option to return to the location of their last stroke for a one stroke penalty, rather than use this new local rule option.
Like many of the new rules, the changes and options will help some while others may find older choices more beneficial. That’s the great thing about golf, you have choices in how you play a round of golf.
The new rules of golf from the USGA are meant to speed up play and make the game more efficient. Check the USGA website: http://www.usga.org/rules-hub.html for more graphics and clarification.
