Miles Bennett
The rules of golf have evolved significantly since the original 13 were laid out in 1744. The rules, jointly written and administered by The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), are regularly updated and published. Changes are often made in response to unforeseen circumstances, course design evolution, equipment innovation, and the expansion of landscapes where golf is played. Notable changes include dropping from knee height, putting with the flagstick left in, a defined relief area, reduced search time, and the ability to repair spike/shoe damage on the green. The rules of golf also cover definitions, procedures, equipment parameters, and specific penalties for infractions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dropping technique | In 1984, the rule was changed to require players to extend their arm at shoulder height and drop the ball. In 2019, this was changed to dropping from knee height. |
| Search time for a lost ball | The search time was reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes in 2019. |
| Ball lifting | In 1960, the USGA allowed golfers to lift and clean their balls after marking them on the green. |
| Anchoring ban | In 2016, Rule 14-1b was added, prohibiting players from anchoring a club against their body. |
| Video review | In 2014, Decision 18/4 was issued, applying a "naked eye" test to determine if a ball has moved. |
| Stymie | The stymie was eliminated in 1952 with the first joint USGA and R&A Rules of Golf. |
| Ball size | Until 1974, the R&A allowed a smaller ball (1.62 inches) in the British Open. In 1988, this was made illegal, and the USGA's 1.68-inch ball became the standard. |
| Club damage | As of 2023, players can replace a club damaged during normal play, except in cases of abuse. |
| Ball striking flagstick | Since 2018, golfers can choose to leave the flagstick in the hole or remove it when putting without penalty. |
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What You'll Learn
Anchoring a club against the body is forbidden
The Rules of Golf are a set of standard regulations and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played. They are jointly written and administered by The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA). The rule book is updated and published regularly and includes rules governing amateur status, definitions of terminology, procedures, and equipment parameters.
One notable change to the rules of golf in recent years pertains to anchoring a club against the body. Anchoring a club against the body, also known as "anchoring," is a technique where a player intentionally holds a forearm against their body to create an "anchor point" for the club. This method provides stability and allows the player to make a more controlled swing. However, this technique is no longer allowed under Rule 14-1b, which was added to the Rules of Golf in 2016.
Rule 14-1b forbids players from anchoring a club against their body in any way, including direct anchoring and indirect anchoring. Direct anchoring refers to holding the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body. Indirect anchoring involves using an "anchor point" created by intentionally holding a forearm against the body, with the gripping hands separated and working independently. This allows the top hand to secure the club in place while the bottom hand swings the lower portion of the club around the stable point of attachment.
The main purpose of Rule 14-1b is to prohibit direct anchoring of the club, ensuring that players make a free swing away from the body. While the rule change primarily affects users of long putters, the governing bodies stated that it narrowly targets specific types of strokes while preserving a golfer's ability to play a wide variety of strokes in their individual style. It is important to note that inadvertently touching one's clothing during a stroke is not considered anchoring and is not a breach of the rule. However, deliberately holding clothing against the body using the club or gripping hand is treated as anchoring and is prohibited.
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Search time for a lost ball reduced to three minutes
The rules of golf are jointly written and administered by The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA). The rule book, entitled "Rules of Golf", is updated and published regularly. The rules cover all aspects of play, including definitions of terminology, procedures, and equipment parameters. They also prescribe specific penalties that may be enacted in certain situations and for rule infractions.
The search time for a lost ball was reduced from five minutes to three minutes in 2019. This change was made to speed up play, as it is generally observed that if the ball is going to be found, it will be found within the first three minutes. While this change may increase the number of lost balls, it is expected to have a net positive impact on the pace of the game.
The three-minute search time for a lost ball is covered under Rule 18.2a of the Rules of Golf. The rule states that a player and/or their caddie have a reasonable amount of time to reach the potential search area, and then the clock starts. If the ball is found after three minutes, it is considered lost, and the player must take a stroke-and-distance penalty.
There are some exceptions and interpretations to this rule. For example, if a player takes one minute to search for a ball, finds one, and assumes it is theirs, but later realizes it is the wrong ball, they can return to the area they thought the original ball was and still have two minutes to find it. Additionally, if a player's search is interrupted, such as by a lightning horn or suspension of play, the ball is considered lost if the three-minute search period expires, regardless of the interruption.
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Balls can be lifted and cleaned on the green
Golf's rules are jointly written and administered by The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA). The rule book, entitled "Rules of Golf", is updated and published regularly, with the most recent upgrade being in 2023. The rules cover all aspects of play, including definitions of terminology, procedures, and equipment parameters.
One notable change to the rules of golf over the years pertains to the lifting and cleaning of balls on the green. Before 1960, golfers were not allowed to lift their balls on the green in stroke play unless it was in the way of another player putting. Some PGA-run events allowed this under a local rule. However, in 1960, the USGA changed the rule, allowing golfers to lift and clean their balls after marking them on the green. This change reflected the evolving views within the game as the surfaces of putting greens became more uniform and consistent.
It is important to note that while golfers are allowed to lift and clean their balls on the green, there are certain actions that are prohibited. For example, golfers are not allowed to deliberately test the putting surface by rolling a ball, roughening or scraping the surface, or rubbing the ball on the green to clean it. Rule 13.1e specifically states that these actions are not permitted and include rubbing the surface or rolling a ball.
The rules regarding the lifting and cleaning of balls on the green have evolved over time, and it is essential for golfers to stay updated on the latest regulations to ensure they adhere to the current guidelines.
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The stymie was eliminated in 1952
Golf has a standard set of regulations and procedures that govern how the sport should be played. The rules are jointly written and administered by The R&A (spun off from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2004) and the United States Golf Association (USGA). The rule book is updated and published regularly.
The stymie was a situation in greens play in golf where one player's ball blocked the path of another's to the cup. The blocked player was not afforded relief, and they had to attempt to chip their ball over the obstructing ball or putt around it. The stymie rule was abolished in 1952 when the first jointly published set of rules established by the USGA and the R&A came into effect.
There were revisions to the stymie rule over the years before it was totally abolished in 1952. The USGA had attempted various changes to the rule between 1920 and 1941. In 1938, the USGA modified its rules so that a ball more than six inches away from another ball but within six inches of the cup could be lifted in match play if it was interfering with the other ball. This rule was made permanent in 1941. However, the R&A never modified their stymie rule during this time.
Finally, in 1952, the USGA and R&A established a joint set of rules, and the stymie was eliminated. In these new rules, the lifting of a ball on the putting green was allowed when it was interfering with another's line of putt, regardless of the distance between the two balls. After this, the stymie was removed from competition golf, but some continued to use it in casual or bounce play. The term stymie is still used to describe a situation where an obstacle blocks one's route.
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The number of clubs allowed is limited to 14
The number of clubs allowed in a game of golf has been limited to 14 since 1938. This change was brought about by the USGA and later the R&A, the governing bodies of golf, in response to players using as many as 30 or more specialised clubs in a round.
The R&A is the governing body of golf worldwide, except in the United States and Mexico, which are the responsibility of the USGA. These organisations work together to regularly update and release a new set of rules every four years, with the most recent upgrade being in 2023. The rules cover all aspects of play, including definitions of terminology, procedures, and equipment parameters.
The rules of golf have evolved and altered significantly since the original 13 were laid out by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers in 1744. The rules have changed in response to the sport's natural evolution, including course design, maintenance, and equipment innovation.
One notable change in the 2023 rule update was the ability to replace a club that has been damaged during the course of normal play. Rule 4.1a states that "if a conforming club is damaged during a round or while play is stopped, except in cases of abuse, the player may repair it or replace it with another club." This is a significant change, as previously, players were never allowed to replace a club that had been damaged during the game, even if it was accidental.
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Frequently asked questions
The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) are the two governing bodies that jointly write and administer the rules of golf.
Notable changes include dropping the ball from knee height instead of shoulder height, putting out with the flagstick left in, a defined relief area, reduced search time for a lost ball, and the ability to repair spike/shoe damage on the green.
The earliest surviving written rules of golf were produced by the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith on March 7, 1744, for a tournament played on April 2.
The "stymie" rule refers to a situation where a player's ball is on the green but is blocked by an opponent's ball. The rule was abolished worldwide in 1952.
Some recent rule changes include allowing players to repair or replace a club that was damaged during the course of normal play, limiting the lost-ball search time to three minutes, and eliminating the penalty for accidental double-hits or deflections.
