Visit the website golfbooking.com.vn to book a golf game at all golf courses nationwide in the fastest way. Golfbooking | InterGolf offers golfers the best prices for golf courses in the North, Central and South.

GolfBooking | InterGolf - Always the best price & service

After receiving tens of thousands of feedbacks, the R&A and USGA adopted and stabilized the new changes to the rules of golf in March 2018. Accordingly, the new rules of golf will be applied on January 1, 2019 with the aim of bringing positivity to golfers, helping them focus more on the competition instead of worrying too much about the complexity of golf rules. Here are the most important changes you need to know.

(Part 2)

11. Provisional Ball (Rule 18)

Previously, a provisional ball could only be played before the player walked down the fairway to search for his or her first ball.

Now, you can use a provisional ball after you've been unable to search for your original ball for a while.

Good to know: Now that the search time has been reduced to three minutes, it's virtually impossible to play a provisional ball after you've been searching for a while. Because after the three-minute period ends, it is no longer a temporary ball but automatically becomes the new ball in play.

12. Holes made by animals (Rule 16)

Previously, players were only allowed to drop their ball into holes created by burrowing animals, reptiles or birds.

Now the restriction on certain animals has been removed and you can drop your ball freely if it accidentally falls into holes and tracks made by all animals (except insects and worms).

13. Movable Obstructions (Rule 15)

Previously, players were not allowed to touch leaves, twigs, rocks, branches, and other movable obstructions in sand traps or water hazards.

Now you can remove them anywhere without penalty, including in bunkers and water hazards.

Good to know: You are not allowed to move your ball while removing a movable obstruction.

14. Unplayable Ball in Bunker (Rule 19)

Previously, players had three options for dropping their ball if they declared their ball unplayable in the bunker, each incurring a penalty of one stroke

Now, you have a fourth option - dropping directly behind the bunker. However, this option carries a penalty of 2 strokes instead of 1.

Good to know: You can use this option to avoid hitting a "bunker shot", but in most cases, it's really worthless.

15. Penalty Area (Definition)

Previously, penalty areas containing water were called water hazards  

Now, water hazards will be called penalty areas even if they do not contain water

Note: Calling them all penalty areas will help increase the speed of play on the course.

16. Remove option with penalty areas (Rule 17)

Previously, in water hazards, the ball was allowed to be dropped on the opposite side, at the last spot where the ball exited on the edge of the hazard

These areas are now called red penalty areas and are no longer allowed to be dropped on the opposite side

Note: This option was almost never used before and it only led to confusion.

17. Touching Ground and Water in Penalty Area (Rule 17)

Previously, you were not allowed to touch the ground or water before making your shot when the ball was in a water hazard.

Now, you are allowed to touch  into the ground or water when making a stroke from outside the penalty area.

Be aware: Experience has shown that it is generally not worth much effort for a player to attempt to play a ball when it is completely covered by water.

18. Ball moving on the putting green after being marked and replaced (Rule 13)

Previously, the ball had to be played from its new position if it moved by itself or due to the wind after being marked and returned.

Now, you must replace the ball.

Good to know: The new rule is considered to be more in line with nature.

19. Ball on the green accidentally moved by player (Rule 13)

Unintentionally moving your ball on the green was previously not penalized under certain exceptions.

Now, it is considered a risk and is not penalized in all cases.

Know: If your club slips from your hand or you practice swing too close to the ball and it moves, you can simply put it back without penalty. 

20. Repairing damage on the green (Rule 13)

Previously, you were not allowed to repair putts except in certain exceptional circumstances.

Now, you are allowed to repair almost any damage on the green

Please note: This is not a license to smooth the entire putt to perfection, as natural imperfections are part of the game

(expertgolf.com)