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The post How and why restrictions around amateur golfers are destined to change in a big way appeared first on Golf.

If you think that being an amateur golfer means missing three-foot putts and not accepting prize money, think again.

As part of an ongoing effort to modernize the Rules of Golf, the USGA and the R&A unveiled proposals Monday for significant modifications to the Rules of Amateur Status that govern the game around the world.

Among the key changes: amateur golfers would be allowed to collect up to $750 in prize money without losing their status. Accepting sponsorships would also be fair game.

The overarching goal of the proposals, the governing bodies said, is to reaffirm the importance of amateur golf to the vitality of the game, and to help clarify what distinguishes amateurs from pros.

News

Why incoming USGA chief Mike Whan is well suited for the big job ahead

By: Michael Bamberger

“Golf is unique in its broad appeal to both recreational and competitive golfers,” said Craig Winter, USGA senior director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. “We understand and value how important amateur status is, not only to those who compete at the highest level of the amateur game, but for millions of golfers at every age and skill level who enjoy competitive events at their home course. These updates should help simplify these Rules and ensure the health of the amateur game.”

Under the proposed changes, the Rules would identify just three no-no’s that would cost a golfer their amateur status: accepting prize money in excess of the $750 limit; accepting payment for giving instruction; and accepting a job as a golf club professional or membership of an association of professional golfers.

In addition, the new Rules would eliminate the distinction between cash prizes and other prizes, such as merchandise credit, a change that would give tournament organizers greater flexibility in how they dole out winnings. The new Rules would also do away with restrictions surrounding long-drive events, putting tournaments and other skills-based competitions that are not part of a “tee-to-hole” competition.

Together, the proposals represent the latest wave of updates in a modernization initiative, launched in 2017, aimed to bring the Rules of Golf more closely in line with how the game is actually played today. Having simplified a host of other guidelines, such as how to take drop or handle a lost ball, the governing bodies are now out to clear up gray areas in the current Rules that have raised concerns around amateur status, especially in the elite ranks of the amateur game.

Take the case of amateurs who aspire to be professionals. These players often find their status jeopardized by their participation in prize-money events that are important for their development but which otherwise have no impact on the amateur game. The new Rules would give those players greater opportunity to take part in such competitions without risking their amateur status. Similarly, the cost of travel, tournament entry fees and other expenses prohibit many amateurs from competing in events. By allowing amateurs to accept sponsorships, the new Rules would lower that barrier to entry.

Gear

The USGA and R&A just dropped a big distance announcement. What does it mean for golfers?

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen

While rulings in professional golf attract far more publicity, questions around amateur status sometimes make headlines, too. In early 2019, for instance, the 16-year-old amateur standout, Lucy Li, came under scrutiny after she appeared in an advertisement on social media for the Apple Watch. After assessing the situation, the USGA determined that Li had violated the amateur rules but did not strip her of her amateur status. Under the new rules, there would be no restrictions on how a player covers expenses, including money earned through promotions or advertisements.

The proposed rules, along with explanations of the key changes, have been posted on the USGA and R&A’s websites. As they have with other proposed updates to the Rules, the governing bodies are inviting public feedback. Comments will be accepted through Friday, March 26, with the new Rules slated to go into place on Jan. 1, 2022.

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The post Some of golf’s new safety rules could actually make the game better appeared first on Golf.

The post Some of golf’s new safety rules could actually make the game better appeared first on Golf.

This is the first in a five-part Bamberger Briefly series about how people are returning to golf.

*****

Everybody has some version of this story, or will before too long. Golf made its triumphant return to Pennsylvania, where I live, on Friday, May 1. I spent the day in meditation, with particular focus on the joys of a smoother transition. Meditation is supposed to be lofty, right?

I eased back into things with nine holes on Saturday. On Sunday, I took a grown-up’s portion, 36 holes. All in, over the weekend, I played the 45 holes of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. My club, if that phase is still permitted. Eight playing partners. One lost ball. Forty-five foam donuts. No rakes. One rules violation.

Fifth hole, second round, Sunday. I tossed a ball back to its owner when it settled in gimme range. The reminder was immediate and incontrovertible: You’re not supposed to touch another player’s equipment. Last year’s common courtesy is this year’s health risk. I will not make that mistake again. For one thing, I don’t want this privilege to be taken from me or anyone else. For another, better safe than sorry.

You have to defer to the most orthodox in your group. It’s sort of like the slow play/fast play divide. A slow player cannot adjust to a fast player’s pace. Slow players lack the fast gene. But a fast player can slow down. And so it is with Covid-19 observance. In your house, in your golf group, in your grocery story, whoever is strictest sets the rules for everybody else. Anything short of that promotes chaos.

Features

As golf returned to New York, Bethpage State Park regulars were subdued but hopeful

By: James Colgan

Golf with foam donuts in the cups is still golf. It may not be PGA Tour golf, but it is at most every other level. In fact, golf with foam donuts in the hole makes the gimme more of a real thing, as it probably ought to be.

While we’re at it, golf is better without bunker rakes, as we’re playing now. Faster, for one thing. More primitive. More penal, for being someplace you shouldn’t be. More imperfect, less uniform, as the world is imperfect and not uniform. Pine Valley has no rakes. You’ll never hear somebody there yell at a ball in the air, “Get in the bunker!”

Over time, if golf eliminated the bunker rake, architects and course superintendents would use heavier sand, less resistant to footprints, more responsive to the soccer-kick smooth-out. Goodbye, country-club fluff. Hello, beach sand: pebbly, heavy, nasty, golfy. This pandemic absolutely stinks. But something good can come from it. Simpler golf would be on that list. Not high, but on it.

The Sunday morning game started at 7:15. Four players, all of us former caddies, and one current caddie, with a yardage book and good eyes. We played ready golf. If your ball touched some foam at a reasonable speed, the shot was holed. Teams were selected on the first tee. A tee was tossed for the honor. Somebody explained the new handicap system. The match finished all square at 10:35. A new season was underway.

Michael Bamberger welcomes your comments and suggestions at Michael_Bamberger@golf.com.

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The post Rules School: Here’s what is (and isn’t) allowed when playing from a bunker appeared first on Golf.

The post Rules School: Here’s what is (and isn’t) allowed when playing from a bunker appeared first on Golf.

The only time you should find enjoyment in the sand is if you are going to the beach. Finding the sand at the golf course is a whole different matter. The shots are more difficult, the lies are wonky, and the rules even change when you find the bunkers. All in all, it’s just not a great place to be.

And in years past, you even had to worry about destroying your club in the bunker. Find a small rock behind your ball? Play it as it lies and hope it doesn’t scuff your precious new wedge. Luckily, the USGA made a few changes to rules in the bunker so you don’t have to worry about blemishes to your sticks.

Scenario: There is a loose impediment (i.e. rocks, sticks, leaves, etc.) near your ball in the bunker.

Old rule: Play the ball as it lies. Touching anything in the bunker was strictly prohibited, whether it was with your hands or your club.

New rule: Now there is more leniency under Rule 12.2 in the Rules of Golf. The rule states, “you may remove loose impediments and movable obstructions.” The rule goes on to add that although you cannot touch the sand to test the condition of the sand, your club (and hand) may generally touch the sand, such as to brace yourself when getting in and out of the bunker. And taking practice swings is still prohibited, as is brushing away sand on your takeaway (sorry, Patrick Reed).

The new rules were implemented because bunkers are meant to challenge golfers by making them contend with sand, not forcing them to battle stray rocks, leaves or other debris.

Read more:
What happens if I accidentally move my ball on the green?
Use this rule next time you have an impossible lie in a bunker.
This new local rule can save you strokes (and time).
Under this new rule, you can no longer blame a spike mark for a missed putt.

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The post 5 potential golf rules changes that are so crazy they’re genius appeared first on Golf.

The post 5 potential golf rules changes that are so crazy they’re genius appeared first on Golf.

Twitter stirred the sports pot with a pretty brilliant idea on Monday. They asked sports fans to offer, simply, one rule change to their favorite sport.

Golf, being a sport that loves its rules, has ample opportunity to make some out-of-the-box tweaks to shake things up. I even offered a suggestion myself, which I’m pleased to say would both make golf more entertaining and also solve the ongoing distance problem.

But I wasn’t the only one. There was this rather hilarious suggestion, which is a full-on embrace of the chaos.

And this one from Robert Hanlon is actually kind of genius. Goodbye, grandstopping!

My favorite thing about this suggestion is the idea off watching Chez Reavie hit 350 yard drives.

And this one is actually the most sensible, useful potential change of the lot.

There’s a bunch of hilarious suggestions that stem far beyond, so give the tweet a click and check out some of the replies.

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