Golf's New Rules: Major Changes
The following are the main changes to the Rules of Golf effective January 1, 2019 that are expected to have the most impact on the game and to be of most interest to golfers. The items covered on this page are organized into nine categories. Within each individual item, you will find the main reasons for the change. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us any time.
Ball at Rest | Ball in Motion | Taking Relief | Areas of the Course
Equipment | Playing a Ball | When to Play During a Round | Player Behavior | Local Rule
Ball at Rest
Ball Moved During Search
No penalty for accidentally moving your ball during search.
No Penalty for Moving Ball on the Putting Green
No penalty for accidentally moving your ball or ball-marker on the putting green.
Standard for Deciding Why a Ball Moved
New standard to determine if you caused your ball to move.
Replacing Ball When Original Spot is Not Known
When the original location of your ball is not known, replace it on its estimated spot.
Ball in Motion
Ball in Motion Accidentally Deflected
No penalty if your ball in motion is accidentally deflected by you, your equipment, or your caddie.
Taking Relief
Measuring the Size of the Relief Area Where a Ball Must Be Dropped and Played
Your relief area for dropping a ball is a fixed size of either one or two club-lengths using the longest club in your bag, other than your putter.
New Procedure for Dropping a Ball
Your ball must be let go from knee height and fall through the air without touching any part of your body or equipment.
Where a Dropped Ball Must Come to Rest
Your ball must come to rest in the relief area where it was dropped, or else it must be redropped.
Fixed Distances to be Used for Measuring
A fixed distance of the longest club in your bag, other than your putter, is used for measuring.
Time For Search Before Ball is Lost
Your ball is lost if not found in three minutes (rather than the previous five minutes).
Substitution of Ball Always Allowed When Taking Relief
You may always substitute a ball when taking relief.
Relief For an Embedded Ball
Relief allowed without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere (except in sand) in the “general area” (a new term for “through the green”).
Procedure for Taking Lateral Relief
In taking lateral relief, drop within two club-lengths of where your ball entered the penalty area. The size of a club-length is always measured using the longest club in your bag, other than your putter.
Procedure for Taking Back-on-the-Line Relief
One of your options for relief from either a red or yellow penalty area is called back-on-the-line relief.
Areas of the Course
When to Replace a Ball That Moves on the Putting Green
After your ball has been lifted and replaced, if it then moves, always replace it on its original spot even if it was blown by the wind or moved for no clear reason.
Repairing Damage on the Putting Green
Repair of almost any damage is allowed on the putting green (including spike marks and animal damage).
Touching Line of Play on a Putting Green
No penalty for touching your line of play on the putting green so long as doing so does not improve the conditions for your stroke.
Ball Played From Green Hits Unattended Flagstick in Hole
No penalty if your ball played from the putting green (or anywhere else) hits the unattended flagstick in the hole.
Areas the Committee May Mark as Penalty Areas
Areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc. (in addition to areas of water) may now be marked as red or yellow “penalty areas.”
Touching Loose Impediments or Ground in a Penalty Area
No penalty for moving loose impediments, touching the ground, or grounding your club in a penalty area.
Expanded Use of Red-Marked Penalty Areas
Committees have the discretion to mark any penalty area as red so that lateral relief is always allowed.
Elimination of Opposite Side Relief for Red Penalty Areas
Relief from a red penalty area no longer allowed on the opposite side from where the ball last entered the penalty area.
Moving or Touching Loose Impediments or Touching Sand in a Bunker
Relaxed Rules relating to loose impediments and touching the ground in a bunker.
Unplayable Ball in Bunker
Relief allowed outside a bunker for an unplayable ball for two penalty strokes.
Equipment
Use of Clubs Damaged During Round
A club damaged during a round can continue to be used, even if you damaged it in anger.
Adding Clubs to Replace a Club Damaged During Round
You are not allowed to replace a damaged club during a round if you were responsible for the damage.
Use of Distance-Measuring Devices
The use of DMDs is allowed unless a Local Rule has been adopted prohibiting their use.
Playing a Ball
Caddie Standing Behind a Player to Help Line the Player Up
A caddie is not allowed to stand on a line behind you while you are taking your stance and until your stroke is made.
Caddie Lifting Ball on the Putting Green
Your caddie may lift and replace your ball on the putting green without your specific authorization to do so.
When to Play During a Round
Encouraging Prompt Pace of Play
It is recommended that you play “ready golf” and make each stroke in no more than 40 seconds.
Maximum Score Form of Stroke Play
A new “Maximum Score” form of stroke play is recognized, where your score for a hole is capped at a max score.
Player Behavior
Expected Standards of Player Conduct
The Rules speak directly to the high standards of conduct expected from players.
Code of Player Conduct
Committees are given authority to adopt their own code of player conduct and to set penalties for breaches of that code.
Elimination of the Requirement to Announce the Player's Intent to Lift a Ball
When you have good reason to mark and lift your ball, you are no longer required to first announce your intention.
Reasonable Judgment in Estimating and Measuring
A player’s reasonable judgment will not be second-guessed based on later evidence.
New Local Rule
Local Rule: Alternative to Stroke and Distance
A new Local Rule provides an alternative to stroke-and-distance relief for a ball that is lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds.
The following are the main changes to the Rules of Golf effective January 1, 2019 that are expected to have the most impact on the game and to be of most interest to golfers. The items covered on this page are organized into nine categories. Within each individual item, you will find the main reasons for the change. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us any time.
Ball at Rest | Ball in Motion | Taking Relief | Areas of the Course
Equipment | Playing a Ball | When to Play During a Round | Player Behavior | Local Rule
Ball at Rest
Ball Moved During Search
No penalty for accidentally moving your ball during search.
No Penalty for Moving Ball on the Putting Green
No penalty for accidentally moving your ball or ball-marker on the putting green.
Standard for Deciding Why a Ball Moved
New standard to determine if you caused your ball to move.
Replacing Ball When Original Spot is Not Known
When the original location of your ball is not known, replace it on its estimated spot.
Ball in Motion
Ball in Motion Accidentally Deflected
No penalty if your ball in motion is accidentally deflected by you, your equipment, or your caddie.
Taking Relief
Measuring the Size of the Relief Area Where a Ball Must Be Dropped and Played
Your relief area for dropping a ball is a fixed size of either one or two club-lengths using the longest club in your bag, other than your putter.
New Procedure for Dropping a Ball
Your ball must be let go from knee height and fall through the air without touching any part of your body or equipment.
Where a Dropped Ball Must Come to Rest
Your ball must come to rest in the relief area where it was dropped, or else it must be redropped.
Fixed Distances to be Used for Measuring
A fixed distance of the longest club in your bag, other than your putter, is used for measuring.
Time For Search Before Ball is Lost
Your ball is lost if not found in three minutes (rather than the previous five minutes).
Substitution of Ball Always Allowed When Taking Relief
You may always substitute a ball when taking relief.
Relief For an Embedded Ball
Relief allowed without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere (except in sand) in the “general area” (a new term for “through the green”).
Procedure for Taking Lateral Relief
In taking lateral relief, drop within two club-lengths of where your ball entered the penalty area. The size of a club-length is always measured using the longest club in your bag, other than your putter.
Procedure for Taking Back-on-the-Line Relief
One of your options for relief from either a red or yellow penalty area is called back-on-the-line relief.
Areas of the Course
When to Replace a Ball That Moves on the Putting Green
After your ball has been lifted and replaced, if it then moves, always replace it on its original spot even if it was blown by the wind or moved for no clear reason.
Repairing Damage on the Putting Green
Repair of almost any damage is allowed on the putting green (including spike marks and animal damage).
Touching Line of Play on a Putting Green
No penalty for touching your line of play on the putting green so long as doing so does not improve the conditions for your stroke.
Ball Played From Green Hits Unattended Flagstick in Hole
No penalty if your ball played from the putting green (or anywhere else) hits the unattended flagstick in the hole.
Areas the Committee May Mark as Penalty Areas
Areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc. (in addition to areas of water) may now be marked as red or yellow “penalty areas.”
Touching Loose Impediments or Ground in a Penalty Area
No penalty for moving loose impediments, touching the ground, or grounding your club in a penalty area.
Expanded Use of Red-Marked Penalty Areas
Committees have the discretion to mark any penalty area as red so that lateral relief is always allowed.
Elimination of Opposite Side Relief for Red Penalty Areas
Relief from a red penalty area no longer allowed on the opposite side from where the ball last entered the penalty area.
Moving or Touching Loose Impediments or Touching Sand in a Bunker
Relaxed Rules relating to loose impediments and touching the ground in a bunker.
Unplayable Ball in Bunker
Relief allowed outside a bunker for an unplayable ball for two penalty strokes.
Equipment
Use of Clubs Damaged During Round
A club damaged during a round can continue to be used, even if you damaged it in anger.
Adding Clubs to Replace a Club Damaged During Round
You are not allowed to replace a damaged club during a round if you were responsible for the damage.
Use of Distance-Measuring Devices
The use of DMDs is allowed unless a Local Rule has been adopted prohibiting their use.
Playing a Ball
Caddie Standing Behind a Player to Help Line the Player Up
A caddie is not allowed to stand on a line behind you while you are taking your stance and until your stroke is made.
Caddie Lifting Ball on the Putting Green
Your caddie may lift and replace your ball on the putting green without your specific authorization to do so.
When to Play During a Round
Encouraging Prompt Pace of Play
It is recommended that you play “ready golf” and make each stroke in no more than 40 seconds.
Maximum Score Form of Stroke Play
A new “Maximum Score” form of stroke play is recognized, where your score for a hole is capped at a max score.
Player Behavior
Expected Standards of Player Conduct
The Rules speak directly to the high standards of conduct expected from players.
Code of Player Conduct
Committees are given authority to adopt their own code of player conduct and to set penalties for breaches of that code.
Elimination of the Requirement to Announce the Player's Intent to Lift a Ball
When you have good reason to mark and lift your ball, you are no longer required to first announce your intention.
Reasonable Judgment in Estimating and Measuring
A player’s reasonable judgment will not be second-guessed based on later evidence.
New Local Rule
Local Rule: Alternative to Stroke and Distance
A new Local Rule provides an alternative to stroke-and-distance relief for a ball that is lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds.
PGA Rule Changes
Rule 1.a.5
A ball sliced or hooked into the rough shall be lifted and placed on the fairway at a point equal to the distance it carried or rolled into the Rough with no penalty. The senior should not be penalized for tall grass which ground keepers failed to mow.
Rule 2.d.6 (B)
A ball hitting a tree shall be deemed not to have hit the tree. This Is Simply bad luck and luck has no place in a scientific game. The Senior Player must estimate the distance the ball would have traveled if it had Not hit the tree and play the ball from there.
Rule 3.B.3(G)
There shall be no such thing as a lost ball. The missing ball is on or near the course and will eventually be found and pocketed by someone else, making it a stolen ball. The player is not to compound the felony by charging himself or herself with a penalty.
Rule 4.c.7(h)
If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped. The law of gravity supersedes the Rules of Golf.
Rule 5.
Putts that stop close enough to the cup that they could be blown in, may be blown in. This does not apply to balls more than three inches from the hole. No one wants to make a travesty of the game.
Rule 6.a.9(k)
There is no penalty for so-called "out of bounds." If penny-pinching golf course owners bought sufficient land, this would not occur.. The senior golfer deserves an apology, not a penalty.
Rule 7..G.15(z)
There is no penalty for a ball in a water hazard, as golf balls should float. Senior golfers should not be penalized for manufacturers' shortcomings.
Rule 8.k.9( S)
Advertisements claim that golf scores can be improved by purchasing new golf equipment. Since this is financially impractical for many senior golfers, one-half stroke per hole may be subtracted for using old equipment.
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Please advise all your senior friends of these important rule changes...
OK, NOT REALLY, BUT WOULDN'T THESE RULES BE NICE!!
Standing Rules and Bylaws for SHLGA
Standing Rules
1. On the last Tuesday of the month, members play 9 holes with everyone (9 holers and 18 holers) mixed together.
On the remaining Tuesdays:
a. One group will play 18 holes.
b. One group will play 9 holes.
c. Groups will alternate going off the front and back each week. These are designated at the beginning of the year. So, if there is a rain out, the schedule will stay as designated.
2. Hole-out fund:
a. Both 9 hole members and 18 hole members may participate in separate hole-out funds by contributing 25 cents when they sign in for play.
b. Anyone who holes-out during ladies day play will win the pot for that day. If more than one person holes-out, the pot is split equally. Likewise, if an individual holes-out more than once, they are allowed an equal share for each hole-out. Members who hole-out must indicate the hole out in the sign in book after play is complete.
c. If there are no hole-outs during weekly play, the funds will rollover to the next week.
d. The members in charge of pairings are responsible for disbursing the hole-out winnings.
3. Handicaps:
a. Members of the 18 hole group must have an 18 hole handicap.
b. Members of the 9 hole group must have a 9 hole handicap.
4. Prizes for weekly playing days:
a. Two prizes for the 9 hole group.
b. Two prizes for the 18 hole group.
c. Award an extra prize to either group having over 20 members sign in for a day during the month.
d. All prize coupons must be used by December 31.
5. Yearly prizes – awarded for both 9 and 18 hole groups. Members must play at least ten (10) “ladies day” completed rounds during the months of April through October to qualify.
a. Most improved ringer score.
b. Greatest reduction in handicap.
c. Most recorded scores on the GHIN system.
d. KWGA low net award
e. Most hole-outs.
f. Most birdies.
6. Rules for “Alternate Day” play:
a. Rain: If play at regularly scheduled time is rained out, and declared as such, by the Board of Directors present, there will be no prizes given that week.
b. Invitational Tournaments: If a member plays in any KWGA or invitational tournament on a Stagg Hill KWGA Day, she may play the preceding Monday or the following Wednesday with another member of the SHLGA. Please notify the SHLGA KWGA Chair and the Prize Chair.
c. Election Day: If you work on an election board and cannot play on Tuesday, you may play on the preceding Monday or the following Wednesday with another member of the SHLGA. Please notify the Prize Chair.
7. Hole-in-One Contests:
a. The hole-in-one contests will start the first Tuesday of April and end the last Tuesday in October.
b. There are two hole-in-one contests. The one (1) dollar contest is a one- time fee, until someone gets a hole-in-one. The five (5) dollar contest is a yearly fee, until someone gets a hole-in-one. This has been capped at $250.00 for the winner. SHLGA members may participate in both contests, if they choose.
c. To be eligible, you must be a member of the SHLGA with all fees paid for the year. You must be playing with a Stagg Hill Golf Club member or SHLGA member at the Stagg Hill Golf Club course.
d. You cannot play from a temporary tee box or hit to a temporary green.
Standing Rules adopted: May, 2016
Amended: ….
BYLAWS
Article I – Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Stagg Hill Ladies Golf Association, hereinafter, referred to as SHLGA.
Article II – Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of the SHLGA shall be to promote the game of golf; to encourage the active participation of its members in playing and enjoying golf; to encourage good fellowship and sportsmanship; to provide an atmosphere for fun and comradery; to contribute to the betterment of Stagg Hill Golf Club.
Article III – Membership
Section 1. Membership shall consist of those women golfers who have paid their current dues to the SHLGA. Members who have been active for at least ten (10) years and are no longer able to play will be considered honorary members.
Article IV – Meetings
Section 1. Monthly meetings of the SHLGA shall be held the first Tuesday of each month beginning in April and ending in October each year. These meetings will take place rain or shine.
Section 2. Any member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote at SHLGA meetings. All voting shall be in person. Proxy voting is prohibited.
Section 3. The quorum for SHLGA meetings shall be 20% of the paid membership.
Article V – Officers
Section 1. The officers of the SHLGA shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall serve as the Board of Directors of the SHLGA.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected at the October meeting of the SHLGA.
Section 3. The new officers shall take office on November 1 and will serve for a one year term.
Article VI – Duties of the Officers
Section 1. The President shall have general supervision of the business and activities of the SHLGA. She shall appoint chairs and members of any special committees, not otherwise provided for and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee and the Audit Committee.
Section 2. The Vice President shall assist the President and perform duties of the President in her absence. She shall serve as chair for the Nominating Committee and be the successor to the President.
Section 3. The Secretary shall keep, in permanent form, accurate records of all meetings. A copy of all minutes of the meetings will be forwarded to the President and any member – upon request by the member – within 20 days after such meetings.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall receive dues and other monies as may be paid to the SHLGA. She shall pay out monies upon direction of the membership / approved budget. She shall render a detailed financial statement of monies collected, disbursed and on hand in said SHLGA treasury at each monthly meeting. She shall keep an updated listing of those members participating in fee based activities. She shall submit all records for audit immediately after the November bank statement is in hand.
Section 5. All four officers shall work together to prepare a budget for approval of the membership at the May meeting.
Article VII. Committees
Section 1. Composition. Each SHLGA standing committee shall consist of members in good standing appointed by the President.
Section 2. Standing Committees. The standing committees shall be Audit, Rules/KWGA, Handicap, Hospitality, Nominating and Tournament Committees. Members shall serve a one year term.
A. The Audit Committee shall: consist of two members to audit the financial records – one of which shall be the Vice President or Secretary; audit the Treasurer’s financial records; submit a written report to the Board of Directors by January 1.
B. The Rules/KWGA Committee shall: assure compliance to the rules of golf; work in association with KWGA.
C. The Handicap Committee shall: assure compliance to the handicap system as outlined in the USGA Handicap System manual; ensure that SHLGA members are educated on applicable topics of the USGA Handicap System.
D. The Hospitality Committee shall: welcome new members; provide new member orientation; be responsible for sending cards to members, as appropriate.
E. The Tournament Committee shall: organize all competitive events for SHLGA.
F. The Nominating Committee shall: be chaired by the Vice President; encourage members to run for office; present a slate of officers for election at the October meeting. It is the nominating committee’s responsibility to secure members to fill the following duties: Ringer, Prizes, Coffee, Pairings and Luncheons.
Article VIII – Vacancies
Section 1. If the office of President becomes vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President for the remainder of the term. If the office of the Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer becomes vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise, the President shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term.
Article IX– Finances
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall recommend annual dues to be voted on by the membership.
Section 2. The annual dues shall be payable in advance by the first meeting of the year.
Section 3. Partial year membership is available after September 1 for half of the dues.
Section 4. The membership year will be from the first Tuesday in April through the last Tuesday in October.
Section 5. Membership dues shall be used to pay reasonable administration costs, prizes, and costs associated with SHLGA activities.
Section 6. Special tournaments and hole-in-one monies shall be accounted for and reported separately from the SHLGA monies.
Section 7. All outstanding bills must be presented by the end of October or they become null and void.
Section 8. The fiscal year of the SHLGA shall be January 1 thru December 31.
Article X – Parliamentary Authority
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority of the SHLGA in all cases where they are not superseded by these bylaws.
Article XI – Amendments
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the SHLGA by a two-thirds vote of the active members present at the meeting, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to all members at least twenty days prior to the meeting.
Article XII - Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, all assets shall be assigned to Stagg Hill Golf Club, Inc. after all debts have been paid. None of the funds shall inure to the benefit of individual members.
Bylaws adopted – May, 2016
Amended-May 2016
Remembrances: In the event an active member or honorary SHLGA member dies, a donation to a memorial, not to exceed $25.00, will be made. Cards shall be sent in case of the death of spouse or other family members of an active/honorary SHLGA member.
