Golfweek: Big Rules Changes Under Consideration

Nice reporting by Alistair Tait to share of some key Rules of Golf changes under discussion for R&A/USGA change in 2020.

The R&A would not comment on what Tait says were the outlined changes told to the European Tour’s players during a meeting at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Golfweek understands that among the revised rules under consideration are: reducing the search time for lost balls from five minutes to three; allowing players to repair spike marks on greens; allowing players to drop a ball from any height when taking relief rather than the current stipulation of shoulder height; more of an emphasis on using red stakes for water hazards while still allowing yellow stakes in some cases; and eliminating the use of club lengths for taking relief.

Well I hate to be cynical but...

--Five to three minutes may just increase the number of players who have to go back to the tee and hit another tee ball.

--Players already repair spike marks on greens. They call them ball marks.

--The shoulder height thing? Beats me why that has to go.

--Red stakes over yellow in more cases is a winner. Though the yellow spray paint lobby may say otherwise.

--Eliminate club lengths for taking relief? That's a grand prize winner! Nearest point of relief. Progress!