7 Recent Rules Changes That WILL Save You Shots!

#golf #golfrules #golftips
In this video, Golf Monthly deputy editor Joel Tadman is joined by Rules of Golf expert Jeremy Ellwood to talk through the 7 rules of golf that have changed recently to make the game fairer and potentially save you shots! Sometimes it can feel like the rules are out to get you but there are situations where they can really work in your favour, as Joel and Jezz highlight in this video shot at the stunning Gog Magog Golf Club in Cambridgeshire.
► Discover the new rule that most interests you and your game!
0:25 Ball hitting you or your equipment
1:21 Loose impediments in bunkers
3:06 Use of rangefinders
6:20 Unplayable lie in the bunker
4:52 Moving ball while searching
8:13 Double hit
9:24 Ball moving on the green
► Did any of these rules surprise you? Let us know in the comments below! 💬
► Video filmed on location at Gog Magog Golf Club. For more information visit the website: www.gogmagog.co.uk/
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[@54fighting5]

Excellent video. All good things to know so that using the rules can actually help you.

[@user-lj2jy1rm1x]

Hey Joel. How many takes did the double hit take??

[@Randsurfer]

Rule 2, loose impediments in a bunker. I think it is important to consider what happens during the act of moving the impediment. For example, a leaf behind the ball is slightly buried. While removing it, the sand condition changes even though the ball does not move. This should be mentioned in this video.

[@themightysquid]

What about your ball landing in a deep footprint in the bunker? I see it often because on my local course there are many slobs that don’t rake the sand after their shot(nor repair ball marks on the greens). Are these considered man made interferences?

[@danburch9989]

You can repair ball marks and other damage before putting. Rule 13.1c(2)

[@michaela3863]

@danburch9989 ​... Nothing in that rule says "on the putting surface" or similar? That would mean that, as long as I pull out a putter, I can take a weedwhacker to the rough, or add 3 tons of sand to a bunker before I take my shot... you may have misinterpreted that rule. The question was about bunker shots, right?

[@Randsurfer]

No relief from footprints in bunker. Must play it as it lies. Putting greens can be repaired no matter the location of the ball.

[@maxpfundner2226]

repair ofc, nobody cares

[@The_Madd_Golfer]

With the acceptance of range finding devices, such as laser, watch GPS, and even apps, they've almost become required to get around the course, since most courses (at least the ones I play in Hawaii) are no longer using yardage markers on the course. Every course used to either mark distances on sprinkler heads or have yardage sticks on (or at the side of) fairways so you could at least estimate your distance. Now, I need to make sure I have extra batteries for my rangefinder, or I'm going to be stuck having to figure out my distances. One of the options I might take when faced with an unplayable lie in the bunker would be to hit sideways, either out of the bunker or even to a better lie still in the bunker, playing my next shot (3), rather than taking relief outside the bunker to play 4. What would you say? I also must commend both of you for your skills in creating the shots where Jez hit himself off the tree and your double hit. I wonder hot many takes those took you? 😆

[@billcarrier9622]

Waah Waah... I have to buy a rangefinder and batteries for it.

[@underthetrees4780]

My courses still have fairway pins, but marked sprinklers are frustratingly absent. As someone who refuses to range find and is working on crafting an eye for it it's not fun.

[@The_Madd_Golfer]

@underthetrees4780 I agree. I used to rely on the sprinkler head yardage. When I managed a golf course in the 2000's, in addition to the red, white, and blue sticks at the sides of the fairway, I would make sure to have yardage marked on the sprinkler heads in the fairway. As technology developed and laser finders proliferated, I then installed prism tips on the flagsticks to (at least) make it faster and easier for lasers to home in. I guess I contributed a little to the trend 🤷🏽‍♂️😆

[@markrowe7331]

You mentioned elevation and slope information not being allowable during competition. I'm assuming that if I am using a phone GPS yardage app that wind direction and speed is illegal during competition, but I would appreciate knowing for sure?

[@GolfMonthly]

That's correct Mark.

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

So we can still use the tried and true method to pick up some grass and toss it in the air to gauge the wind direction and I suppose speed if you're *REALLY* good, trying to impress your fellow competitors, etc. But you might be pressing your luck if you then go on your smart phone calculator and start doing calculations LOL!

[@curt8225]

On the "saving double" one. Its hitting 4 if you take relief from the "straight line" method and drop behind the sand, but its hitting 3 if you go back and re tee it right?

[@geoffcohen613]

Correct. Otherwise just take out of bunker, pitch on for 3, hole putt 4. Good option if poor bunker player.

[@longbowken]

How was that an unplayable??? You just go sideways out of the bunker......

[@franks4973]

Nice video, and I agree with other commenters. There are a bunch of rules that don’t make sense in todays overcrowded overplayed, less than perfect condition courses that most of us play on. But it is good to see them making some improvements for play. I would like to see some “pro” players rules for fairways/greens with impossible lies. I should not be penalized that some young maintenance kid put the pin on an unplayable slope with a 30foot roll. The reality of many public courses. I am never going to hit off stones and damage my expensive clubs, I should be able to move the ball to a playable location with no penalty.

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

Nah, get your "utility club" (least fav) out of your bag - grip it and rip it!

[@michaela3863]

​@@CaliforniaTravelVideos my "utility club" is my favorite club. Accounts for about 40% of my shots from off the green...I pretty well agree with the rest of your logic though.

[@MrJnholmes1]

Re moving ball on the green - a situation where a ball was embedded on a severe slope on the green. Once repaired the ball would not hold on this spot - what is the ruling here? Thanks

[@Randsurfer]

The golfer must place the ball on the 'nearest spot' (NOT CLOSER TO THE HOLE) where the ball will stay put. The rule does not say 'nearest spot the exact same distance from hole'.

[@danielcorrigan6998]

Only Jez could hit it off a tree back into his foot on purpose. Legend

[@GolfMonthly]

It takes a special talent. I had about 25 attempts and couldn't do it! Joel

[@guitarman592000]

Put too much weight on, Jeremy (Since HG&F ) -- ( DW/Past Captain)

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

@@GolfMonthly I was thinking the same thing, instead figuring it would be much easier to put your golf bag, etc. just off the green and have an errant putt run down the hill and hit it. So does the new rule allow us to move our equipment when our ball is in motion, or does this just apply to our body and club in hand?

[@z-man2343]

The most inane rule still on the books is allowing NO relief from a fairway divot, a divot that might have been created by the group directly ahead of you. Meaning, no other player ahead of you would have had to hit out of it, quite obviously an unfair (dis)advantage. That is clearly ground under repair, as that, and all other divots, would be filled in and "repaired" by the grounds crew after the round. Absolutely ridiculous. If I stripe a drive 260 down the middle, I'll be damned if I'm going to hit out a hole that wasn't there as recently as 10 minutes beforehand.

[@mitchd949]

My friends an I play "winter rules" year round on our heavily played muni tracks. Roll it up to 12 inches in the fairway...no clean and place, just move with the club head. As you said, it's ridiculous and should be like ground under repair.

[@steveparker9546]

You are mate maybe you would a couple of mulligans

[@alistairmcgregor8820]

Totally agree

[@brianstifora1548]

The problem is…what do you define as a divot? Is the ball on the edge of the divot? Or fully in the divot? The only solution is “winter rules” through the fairway.

[@markrussell9088]

Because then no-one would fill their divots, leaving sooo much work for ground staff, makes sense yeah?

[@qoqtek]

what if you accidently stand on your ball while looking for it, and you push it down into the ground. Can you remove it to the 'previous, more shallow position' without a penalty?

[@Randsurfer]

You need to restore the "conditions" of the lie as well as you can. In this case, my process would be to lift the ball, repair the plugged hole the ball made when I stepped on it, and then place the ball on that spot to the same original depth (I assume it was hidden deep in the grass).

[@michaelfreeman1634]

With the double-hit, do you still count it as 2 hits or does it count as 1?

[@kennymacm3031]

It’s classed as one

[@michaelfreeman1634]

@@kennymacm3031 I though that may be the case but wasn't sure...we count strokes, not hits

[@RossTheNinja]

8:10. No penalty

[@ExbotHero]

Old news but useful information nonetheless. The one about dropping the ball in the flag line behind the bunker is the only one I haven't utilized on my own rounds so far. Slipped my mind - Needed this reminder. 😊👍

[@jamesscott9922]

How was that his fourth shot out that bunker ? In there for 1, drop two, playing 3 or have I missed something?

[@anischab]

New rule… ball declared unplayable… next shot from within the bunker, 1 stroke of penalty but next shot from outside the bunker 2 strokes

[@simonhuggett3598]

Can you please clarify the ‘ricochet’ shot? If I were to hit my bag/trolley directly, without hitting something else first, to I still incur a penalty?

[@jamesscott9922]

Surely you’d try and come out sideways in that case ( if possible)

[@mathia34]

I'm not getting that either. If that's me hitting my fourth shot anyway, I'd be hitting sideways out the bunker.

[@user_1664]

So if your up against the front lip you can move back into the bunker for one stroke ? If your against the back lip and come out of the bunker that counts as one out and one for a drop ?

[@bgone8854]

Rule#2 the ball can move or wiggle as long as ball position didnt change?

[@waltermeili9952]

i have question. l play a ball x2 in thick rough. search l find a ball x2. by adressing the ball mouves and l see its not my ball. whats the rulling

[@Randsurfer]

Nothing has happened yet. You have not taken a stroke at the wrong ball. Continue searching for the correct ball within the 3 minute time limit.

[@dougsholly9323]

I'm impressed he double hit the ball on purpose.

[@Zerpersande]

Had a playing partner, a guy I got paired with no less, complain when I removed a stone from behind my ball in a bunker. This was before the rule changes. And he made a comment. I told him clearly that this was not a competition and that I wasn’t going to ding my wedge just to make him happy.

[@Randsurfer]

If there is no competition, why would anyone complain?

[@geoffcohen613]

4:30 Slope function. How will anyone know if slope function is on or off. Not many golfers use other peoples range finders since Covid stuff.

[@HolyGrailOfGolf]

Would there be a penalty for purposely NOT marking your ball in hopes that it might roll closer to the hole?

[@GolfMonthly]

No there wouldn't - there would be nothing to stop you doing that!

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

@@GolfMonthlyYes, but I doubt the rule has changed that when a ball rests lurking over the hole and it's not moving, can we wait more than momentarily to hit the ball into the hole. Of course some dastard folks find an assortment of ways to procrastinate, but don't expect me to be sympathetic if you "accidently" trip or otherwise hurt yourself, head back to the cart for nefarious reasons, etc.

[@Randsurfer]

@@CaliforniaTravelVideos Everything you said is irrelevant. 1. The rule is not "momentarily.. the rule is 10 seconds 2. The 10 seconds begins counting from when a person should reasonably arrive at the new location (near the hole) from their previous location. For example: You putt from 30 feet and the ball stops near the lip. It is reasonable that you would then walk to your ball in about 10 seconds and then add another 10 seconds allowed to wait (by the rules). Thus, someone who detours to their cart and falls down still only gets the 20 seconds total from when they make their first putt. Better example: I hit a shot (2nd shot) from 150 yards and my ball stops by the hole. I then walk normally to the green and after 30 seconds I have not yet arrived but my ball falls into the hole. I can score that as a "2". The whole point is that the player does not delay play excessively.

[@drumcatnau]

Competition or otherwise, slope information isn't legal for any score you turn in, correct? If I'm wrong, please let me know when that rule changed. Any round turned in for handicap purposes isn't supposed to incorporate slope information AFAIK.

[@Randsurfer]

True. A "handicap" score should be compliant with the rules of golf.

[@patricksnyder3446]

Any shot in the fairway that ends up in a MANMADE OBSTACLE “DIVOT “ should be able to remove the ball from the divot

[@anischab]

8:12 was that intentional??? 😂 if yes, it is a penalty! 😂 But truly well done trick!! 👍

[@GolfMonthly]

It was intentionally unintentional :-) Joel

[@EvilDrDude]

If you are quoting rules, please state the actual rule number

[@billygraham5589]

I WOULD ASK… what if you mark your ball on the green, very sloped green, and replace it at the marked spot, but it just will NOT stay in place where it was, and rolls off the green every time you try to replace it?!?!? What to do then? I would hope they would let you use a tee. Teeing very low would seem to be a sensible solution, so the USGA won’t allow that. What us the USGA solution?

[@svk_5104]

It’s hard to think this would ever happen because if you’re on such a slope that you can’t even place it, I don’t see how it would ever come to a stop after an actual shot.

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

If it was as you suggest, I would: 1. Press it down lightly, avoiding it being in a depression 2. Press it down firmly, accepting the inevitable hop out of the depression 3. Leave the mark behind my ball and try to hit it before it starts moving 4. When no one is looking, generously put saliva on my ball hoping it will stick until I quickly hit (just kidding) 5. Have a mutiny and call off play with my foursome - this reminds me when we were at an away game and our college golf coach would insist we continue to play when the rain was so bad the hole was completely filled with water and our clubs would slip out of hands when hitting a full shot - what fun!

[@Randsurfer]

@@CaliforniaTravelVideos None of your options is correct. You must place the ball on the nearest point where it will stay put, and that nearest point must not be closer to the hole.

[@rlmonson]

Thankfully, the rules of golf have evolved to sensible common sense options. In a sport known for being stiff and stodgy this is rather miraculous. The rules changes discussed in this video are how most recreational golfers play anyway so good on you.

[@kevins2961]

Is there much point of a brand new video talking about 'new' rules that came out in 2019? We have been playing these new rules for 4 years!

[@Randsurfer]

Lots of people didn't learn or adapt and after 4 years it has become evident, so this video makes sense. (Yesterday in a tournament, a guy (in asia) was using a caddie to aim his shots). He'd never heard of that change disallowing it. Also, after 4 years there is time to see how people have misunderstood the new rules. For example: Lots of guys I know think you can now ground your club in a sand bunker because they "heard" there's no penalty now for touching the sand. BAsed on your logic, the is no point of any rules video for a rule older than a few months.

[@melvinsilver2674]

Hit the ball in the bunker to the area you dropped for a 2 stroke penalty. Shot 3 toward the green instead of shot 4.

[@craigcrawford6749]

You are wrong. One in the bunker, two and three for the drop, hitting four

[@charliegra]

He's saying dont take a drop and hit it out backwards or sideways to save a stroke.@@craigcrawford6749

[@petersmith9470]

Why do you get penalised if your touches the sand with your club as it's classed as testing the surface and if you move a rake out of a bunker it's the same, yet you can wriggle you feet around which is basically the same testing of a surface but without penalty?

[@michaelbarker3749]

Because it essentially tees your ball up.

[@Randsurfer]

1. When a club is "grounded" behind a ball in the sand, it changes the lie. It lowers the sand and may allow better contact. 2. Moving a rake should be done carefully to not result in testing the sand. Moving the rake is needed under the "moveable obstruction" rule. 3. Because sand is so unstable, it is a safety issue to allow a player to better anchor their feet by "wriggling" them. The "wriggling" should not be done in a way to specifically test the sand, although in doing so, some information may be gleaned. That is merely a tradeoff for this particular rule.

[@Ballerism]

Rules should be adjusted for beginners too.

[@waffles1ca]

You could give yourself a participation medal and skip the game entirely…

[@Ballerism]

@@waffles1ca 🤫

[@grantss1]

There's also the fact that you can now leave the flag in while putting. Rule changed in 2019.

[@simonannemarierussell4147]

Worst rule change they made slows up game some want it in some want it out.

[@AlexGeorgebowling]

Can we take a second to appreciate just how impressive it was he intentionally hit himself with the ball off a tree?

[@swisstrader]

Some of these rules were just beyond stupid in the past like ball hits you after hitting a tree and incurring a penalty. Now lets start a petition to get rid of divot in the fairway rule LOL

[@ralpho58]

It seems like the rules are getting closer and closer to the way most golfers play the game anyway. The other smart rule change was if you accidently hit the ball on a practice swing, no penalty, just replace the ball.

[@GolfMonthly]

Hello there - that's only the case on the putting green (and also effectively on the teeing ground when the ball is not yet in play on that hole). Elsewhere on the golf course, you will still be penalised for moving your ball on a practice swing and must then replace it where it was before playing. Jezz

[@michaela3863]

The more we try to "fix" the rules, the harder they are to follow. Nobody was following the rules strictly outside of tournament play anyway... save strokes? Maybe, but the average round with friends already has more leniency than the "new rules"

[@oatechaosincycles]

All we now is the rule where we can move our ball out of a divot in the fairway. Seems like it keeps getting ignored and it's incredibly obvious. "FAIR" way.

[@EvilDrDude]

Local rules often include "preferred lie" to compensate for this problem

[@Randsurfer]

Define divot. Now have an argument within your 4-some.

[@EvilDrDude]

@@Randsurfer a divot is easily identified if it has sand put into it. The preferred lie rule applies anywhere on the fairway, in any hole or divot

[@Randsurfer]

@@EvilDrDude 1. The reason "divot" does not warrant free relief in the rules: Because there would be disputes about whether an undesireable lie of the ball was really in a divot. The only way to not have any disputes is to play every ball as it lies. A bad lie is called "rub of the green", also known as "tough shit". 2. I know what preferred lies means.

[@alunhavard9852]

I would worry that some would be less likely to repair divots if they knew that they would not cause a problem for those coming behind (because they can remove and replace).

[@dougs1115]

I don’t believe he actually did that double hit on purpose. That’s really hard to do!

[@hanshuhta8007]

Your own fairway divots … should be gur

[@Randsurfer]

I have never ended up in my own divot, even after rebounding off a tree.

[@hanshuhta8007]

@@Randsurfer , I was referring to the hole you are currently playing as “ yours” . In most of the blitzes/money games we allow for either 1 club or 1 scorecard movement in your fairway . Playing public courses that have lower funding than a Pro golf event .

[@Randsurfer]

@@hanshuhta8007 This is called 'preferred lies'. It already exists as an option in the rules as a local rule on a competition by competition basis. You have solved all your problems and stayed within the rules.

[@andrewpierce1588]

They admitted that the double hit on a chip is so embarrassing and penalizing just by happening that you shouldn’t be penalized further. 😂

[@Zerpersande]

Kinda’ odd to hear ‘Pros run up onto the green so they know that’s the worst possible place on the green.’

[@RobBetty-cb1cv]

2 stroke penalty for having his shirt slightly untucked on the right side at some tedious golf clubs.

[@randomgamer-st1ie]

Taking a 2 stroke penalty to take relief from the back edge of a bunker is baffling. Play it out sideways and your lying 2 hitting 3.

[@sausagembape677]

Rules expert??? Excellent, its like Specialist Subject: the Reptiles of Antarctica 😂

[@alistairmcgregor8820]

These aren't recent rule changes are they?

[@stevekeller3643]

Think they were talking 2019 ?

[@billmiller2169]

If the game of golf is "How many strokes it takes to get the ball in the hole," why is it a penalty when the ball moves on it's own, since I didn't make a "stroke" at it. No common sense on that rule.

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

Huh, what rule is that? Inquiring minds must know!

[@glenwood9190]

In the general area if you did not cause the ball to move you do not get penalised play it as it lies. Slight difference on the putting green, there is still no penalty to you but there are some conditions as to where the ball is played from. Rule 13.1d Very Simple

[@Randsurfer]

There is no such rule and no such penalty. Common sense wins again.

[@johnmanning7269]

The divot situation has been ignored again penalised for something you had nothing to do with. Scandalous

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

But isn't that part of what the "Rub of the Green" is all about? Momma said there would be days like that - ditto for our fellow competitors unless we have a victim mentality - certainly not any of us here, right? True, it's a bummer but rather than obsess about it and until we get on the USGA Rules Committee, our time is better spent learning from pros who actually enjoy demonstrating how to hit out of divots! kzbin.info/www/bejne/op-aY5iwidKgbLs

[@paulf5806]

When will the r&a listen to golfers and bring in a free drop from a fairway divot, so unfair that you are adversely affected by other players stupidity !!

[@stewohig]

Stupidity?? Hard to play a good approach shot and not take a divot. Ball first, will invariably lead to taking a divot.

[@gerardmcbryde3156]

@@stewohigIt could read as stupidity from the other player for not fixing divot

[@gerardmcbryde3156]

What is a divot ?seems to be the reason for not changing this rule for me it should be a simple ask of your marker / fellow golfer

[@paulf5806]

Sorry , to clarify, yes people not replacing divots are the stupid problem, same as people not raking bunkers !

[@Randsurfer]

@@gerardmcbryde3156 This is somewhat valid if your competition consists only of the fellow golfers in your group of 4 or whatever. Even then, within your own group, you might get one ruling if you are winning, and a different player gets a different ruling if they are no threat. However, most competitions involve many players (not playing together). A player in group A gets permission for relief from the others in his group. A player in group B does not get permission from the others in his group for the exact same lie. You see the problem?

[@randomcosmos3600]

When are they going to change the dropping rule. Why not just be able to place the ball rather than the absurd method of dropping - we started over the shoulder, then went to shoulder high in front and now to knee high. What is the problem about getting a good lie especially if it is after you have just incurred a penalty. And when the ball rolls too far after dropping it then we see the ridiculous TV situation of a rules official having their head at ground level to try and see the exact millimeter spot the ball made contact with the ground. Surely its time to get rid of dropping the ball completely.

[@reedr7142]

Part of the penalty is a random drop. You should never be allowed to give yourself a purposeful lie once it’s left the tee.

[@Randsurfer]

Because when I hit a ball into deep rough and it ends up on a drain. And I take free relief from the drain, I shouldn't be able to place to ball on top on the rough and hit my driver 250 yards. I should get a lie that is likely for a ball coming to rest in the deep rough.

[@Randsurfer]

Last rule: Poor choice of words when talking about the ball position once it has been marked on the green. Jez said: "That is now the worst place I can be". It is also the best place you can be. It is literally the ONLY place you can be. The way Jez said it, it makes it seem that if the ball then rolls BETTER, you can use that new location.

[@stevekeller3643]

From the way he described it, if the ball rolled to a more advantageous position, you could play from there ?

[@Randsurfer]

@@stevekeller3643 He made it sound that way, but No Once you mark the ball, that spot is the only spot you can play from. If the ball moves from that spot, no matter to where, you must return it to "the spot" If the ball comes to rest, but then moves (let's say by the wind) BEFORE you mark it, the original "at rest" spot is irrelevant. The marking of the ball is the crucial element.

[@barbt.9211]

90 % of golfers could not break 100 by playing by the rules, We once aloud everyone to tee the ball up anywhere on the course even sand traps, nobody played any better, their scores were about the same as usual. Professional golfers yes, average golfer who CARES, same with golf equipment, let the average golfer use anything that will increase their game, BTW, if you cannot putt NOTHING will help you anyway.