2016 Rules of Golf Released by USGA, R&A

Anchored putters, ball moving after address, incorrect scorecards highlight new 2016 rule changes

Colorado AvidGolfer

Following the culmination of the regular four-year review cycle, the R&A and United States Golf Association announced the publication of the new 2016 Rules of Golf, which will take effect on January 1, 2016.

David Rickman, executive director – Rules and Equipment Standards at The R&A, said, “We continually look at ways we can improve and clarify the Rules of Golf. The R&A and the USGA collaborate closely and we consult with our respective national and international advisory members to produce a code of Rules that is relevant to all golfers around the world.”

Rule 14-1b in regards to anchoring putters has easily been the most discussed but other notable changes will also be talked about in golf circles:

• Withdrawal of Rule on Ball Moving After Address – Rule 18-2b (Ball Moving after Address) has been withdrawn. This means that if a ball at rest moves after the player addresses it, the player is no longer automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move. A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will be applied only when the facts show that the player has caused the ball to move.
• Limited Exception to Disqualification Penalty for Submission of Incorrect Score Card – A new exception has been introduced to Rule 6-6d (Wrong Score for Hole) to provide that a player is not disqualified for returning a lower score for a hole than actually taken as a result of failing to include penalty strokes that the player did not know were incurred before returning the score card. Instead, the player incurs the penalty under the Rule that was breached and must add an additional penalty of two strokes for the scorecard error. In all other cases in which a player returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, the penalty will continue to be disqualification.
• Modification of Penalty for a Single Impermissible Use of Artificial Devices or Equipment – The penalty for a player’s first breach of Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Abnormal Use of Equipment) during the round has been reduced from disqualification to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 will continue to be disqualification.
• Prohibition on Anchoring the Club While Making a Stroke – As announced in May 2013, the new Rule 14-1b (Anchoring the Club) prohibits anchoring the club either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point” in making a stroke. The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.

The new exception for Rule 6-6d is being loosely coined the “Tiger Woods Rule” after Woods initially failed to assess a two-stroke penalty after an improper drop but was allowed to play on. The rule does allow for players who are unaware of a rule infringement before they sign their cards to continue to compete and add the penalty strokes – any strokes for the unknown penalties plus two more strokes for signing an incorrect scorecard.

Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules and Amateur Status with the USGA, says, “This is not going to cover simple math errors. If you had a 5 and wrote down a 4, you will still be disqualified. This is only if you forgot to include a one- or two-stroke penalty that you did not know occurred. Whether it was ignorance of the rules or applying one stroke rather than two.”

The next rules review will occur from 2016-2020

Read the official announcement from the USGA on the 2016 Rules of Golf and view the below infographic.

View the full 2016 Rule Changes infographic from the USGA.

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