The good news for golfers is that the number of rules have been streamlined and "hopefully" simplified to help speed up play.
Allow me to try and touch on those coming into effect next year.
A player is no longer allowed five minutes to look for a lost ball -- it's now just three.
A player can take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke, and although it was hoped to be able to take relief from a fairway divot this will sadly not be the case.
Regarding out of bounds or a lost ball, instead of stroke and distance, a new local rule allows the option of dropping a ball in the vicinity of where the original was lost or out of bounds, including the nearest fairway area, with a two-stroke penalty.
This new rule has been introduced to help pace of play. It should be noted that this rule will not be in play at the professional level, or other elite competitions.
Now when taking a drop, the new rule stipulates that the drop be taken from knee height.
There's also no longer a penalty for a double-chip -- now just count the hit as one stroke.
There's also no longer a penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the green. You are still penalised, however, if it is "virtually certain" you caused it to move on purpose.
You can putt with the flagstick in as the penalty for putting to an unattended flag has been eliminated. The pin doesn't have to be removed at all.
You can repair all spike marks as well as repair animal or other damage on the green.
Another penalty removed will be touching the line of the putt. However, caddies are not allowed to stand behind you or help on your alignment.
You can now move impediments in bunkers and water hazards and there's also no penalty for touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
In the sand, however, you cannot ground the club right next to the ball. But if you're "generally" touching the sand with the club, that's OK.
An extra relief option has been added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, as you can play the ball to be outside the sand with a two-stroke penalty.
The rules also give your integrity some latitude so that a player is given "reasonable judgement" when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance.
Your placement will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it wasn't in the exact right spot.
You also are no longer required to announce when you are lifting a ball to identify or see if it's damaged.
Out of Bounds: Please note that if you play in the Bangkok Post Golf Tournament next Friday at the Black Mountain, you are entitled to a free golf lesson with me. Please call 081-899-2989 to make a booking. See you down there.
