I agree with your comment on fairway divots. I’d go further as the rules of golf are heavily weighted for professionals playing tournaments, not armatures playing friendly rounds. There needs to be an acknowledgement that many of us play golf in less than pristine conditions, on courses that are not perhaps finely manicured. Amateurs don’t have a crowd of spectators watching the balls land or helping to find the balls in the rough.
Yep. The local "leaf rule" (which is actually a local rule) comes into play at our club in all four seasons. If you know the ball is "somewhere in this general area in the rough" then the ball isn't lost. Drop another and hit it without penalty.
@@michaelzdanis3979 might be a local rule at your club, I’ve not seen it anywhere. Saying that, our group recently adopted that very same attitude at a course last week, where the fairway grass was so long we couldn’t distinguish the difference between fairway and rough, and wherever our balls landed it was amongst a field of leafs. I lost a ball in the middle of the 18th fairway and all four of us saw it go straight up the middle!!
@@keithygadget381 It is "Model Local Rule F-14" which the committee can choose to adopt or not, generally during the fall when there are lots of leaves on the ground. Basically if the ball goes into the rough in an area with a lot of leaves, everyone knows its in there but you can't find it, drop with no penalty. When I said it comes into play all four seasons, I didn't mean the committee has it place at all times - they don't. I just meant our foursome plays it that way. The grass in the rough can completely "eat" a ball particularly if it hasn't been mown for a couple of days. As you said - pros don't loose these!!
Definitely need to change that rule of hitting out of a divot. Even heard jack Nicklaus say it on TV many years ago. Should be “ground under repair” ! There’s no difference if the fairway is being worked on and marked off
Absolutely agree about divots. A divot is literally a change in the course made by a competitor. Repairing spike marks falls under the same situation; why did they allow those to be repaired? Also, I'd like to go back to requiring the flag stick to be removed. It saves no time, and it deprives us of that glorious sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup.
I've been saying this for years. If you hit a tee ball in the fairway, you deserve a fairway lie, just like everyone else. That divot may have been left by the group ahead of you and cannot possibly be considered a part of the course. It is ground under repair, no questions asked.
@@lbhunter6341 No, but when you play with others who keep it in, it becomes a bit of an issue. It's rather impolite for me to keep asking for someone to pul the pin for me.
Sorry - can't agree with you about the flagstick. This one rule change has probably helped to speed up rounds more than any other. No reason for most amateurs to take the flag out.
110% agree with the divot rule!! Afterall if your ball is imbedded in the fairway and deemed to have broken the surface I.e plugged ....then you get relief so surely if your ball is in a divot it's also broken the level of the surface??? 🤔🤔🤔
Fairway Divots - absolutely. If a player lifts the ball, and it is not deemed a fairway divot, you place it back in its position. Easy does it. I would also like to see relief options for drains, sprinkler systems, etc... around the greens that are in your line of play. I believe the LPGA allowed this in a tournament - but it should be standard in all golf.
2022 rule question: my ball didn't quite make the green and rolled backward down the hill towards the sand trap stopping precariously 1/2" from the lip. The only way I could play the ball was 1 foot in the sand trap, 1 foot 2' higher on the lip and choke up half way up the club. I was not addressing the ball or attempting to hit it - just testing my stance and how far to choke up on the club. I tried a practice swing and impacted the grass near the lip. The ground vibrations shook my ball loose from its place on the lip and the ball rolled into sand trap. Since I wasn't addressing the ball or attempting to hit the ball am I right that I don't incur a stroke? Does that count as a penalty? Do I have to play the ball as it lies or can I replace the ball on the lip?
Rule I’d change is in Stablefords. I’m off 3.8. I just can’t compete with scores in the 44+ category. I think it would be fairer, if you don’t score on a hole, you lose a point, rather than just a 0.
If someone's scoring 44+ stableford points I doubt there's too many non scoring holes in there. When I was a high handicapper I once had 49 points with one non scoring hole. Under your proposal it would be 48 points so not a world of difference.
Racking and replacing ball when in a foot print. My son plays junior competition golf, and it is insane the amount of times he is in a foot print becuase junior tour have 6-15 year olds and sometimes follow member play for the day. There is not gauge of skill having to hit out of a bunker foot print. If everyone in the group agrees, shoudl be able to lift, rake and replace.
Deff agree about fairway divots and getting relief from a great drive thats buried in a divot. it for sure effects your next shot. Especially on muni courses us mere mortals play that dont always have the best grounds crew. And, as amature golfers are concerned out of bounds tee shots should be a one shot penalty at the nearest spot of relieve. Provisional shots and going back to the tee box is not feasable with trying to play at a good pace on muni courses. Especially when you hit a tee shot just off the fairway in rough that you feel like is not that tall and you cant find your ball. The pros have the gallery and spoters watching their tee shots with flags to mark their shots. Its tuff when your tee shot is just off the fairway and you can't find your ball.
Agree on fairway divots. I also think the the OB rule should just be a 1 stroke penalty and drop where the ball crossed into the OB. Stroke and Distance is a bit harsh especially for higher handicaps that would tend to hit more balls OB.
The issue with divots is "when is a divot not a divot". If the divot has " healed" for two weeks (and it's just a dent in the fairway with slightly sparse grass) do I get to bump it because I don't like little dents? Fairways aren't carpets, some little dents were never actually a real divot. I understand why the divot rule is frustrating, but not sure how to keep people from bumping every fairway lie.
OoB & Missing Ball shall be treated the same and be able to free drop along the GAC line with penalty. I wonder how many people are really walk back and hit another ball during recreation golf game?
For years now, my friends and I have considered a divot to be "ground under repair," because that's precisely what it is. Good to see that the GHA agrees. Should be the case in all golf, as far as I'm concerned.
Great video James. I agree with you on the fairway divot relief, another issue I have with some of the more insane rules of golf is for leaves in winter. Some courses I have played this year have been impacted massively with fallen leaves that have not been removed or swept clear. Both myself and a playing partner played our second shot on a par five into an area of the hole literally totally covered with leaves. We know where our balls had entered and was still very much in play but it was impossible to find them in the 3 mins allowed. We both had to play stroke and distance due to the 'lost ball' rule. This needs looking at for winter play, it's another lottery affair when playing golf.
You are part of the problem for slow play. Drop anther ball where you agree it went into the leaves and play on no penalty. Or are you playing for a million dollar purse where it matters?
So Mr. Speedy, are you saying that you wouldn't take a couple of minutes to look for a ball you know landed in the fairway? I'm calling BS on that one. I'm all for moving along and not wasting time on the course, but please, spare us the sanctimony.
Hi James thanks for the update. Agree about the playing out of a divot. Also, most courses I play on are pretty poorly maintained, so lots of bare ground, dried-mud bunkers, etc. so being able to get 'relief' out of those areas would be useful. BUT - the main thing for me is not the rules per se, it's the poor adherence to golf etiquette. I live in France and players just can't keep quiet, walk on lines, play out of sequence, cheat outrageously, etc. etc. More needs to be done to push the fair play and basic etiquette of the game. And reduce the price of playing - €75 for a game is high.
Agree with you on the fairway divot rule but one I would like to see changed (at least for the pros) when you ball comes to rest and you get to take relief, it must be in the same conditions, ie the rough. Your relief should not allow you to drop your ball into a much better lie than where you hit it
Big issue in our course in winter, being clay based. Often have really soft puggy areas (but not wet enough to get free relief) close to fairways & greens where green staff unable to mow as close as desired. Ball lands, plugs,and disappears! Goes in deep and long grass folded over can make it impossible to find in 3 mins. On two holes with steep slope in front of the green this can occur to a shot literally just a couple of metres off the green. Only solution is for areas to be marked GUR, but would be ideal if player and his/her marker both agree on the entry point and free relief allowed.
I agree with getting relief from a fairway divot. If you land in the fairway in "ground under repair" you get a free drop, why isn't a divot considered GUR in the fairway?
I/We have always played the roots and rocks rule. We do not have a manufacturer's truck following us around and providing a replacement club to our fitted specs free of charge. We have even created a fun little game called "foot wedge" for times of slow play, always in the shade, involving a tee and some balls. Specking of group specific fun little rules, we unvented "The Shady" Rule some years back during a particularly hot summer here in the Southern US. If you manage to land your shot fully in the shade, you not only get relief from the sun, but that stroke does not count. When using this rule you do not submit that round to the GHIN system, especially if you are good at "Shadies".
Totally agree about getting relief on fairway divots...you are in prime position (hitting fairway) and than you are worse off than when you just missed the fairway. Nothing fair about that😌
I agree about divots, but there is a question about what is a divot vs. depression, etc. For most people, they play winter rules in your own fairway unless it is a true competitive round.
My thoughts exactly. How do you define a 'divot'? Any ruling needs to be unambiguous. the only way I see this as being practical is to allow pick and place in the fairway all the time.
Now a rule which I think SHOULD be implemented. We should be allowed to hit a provisional over a water hazard. My golf course has numerous water hazards (both yellow and red). Most are surrounded by bullrushes, and often golf shots look like they might have cleared the hazard but your not 100% sure (bullrushes obscure view). Current rule says I have to work my way around the pond and if I haven't cleared, I have to walk back to the other side and drop. BIG waste of time. Let me hit a provisional before I cross. If my ball has cleared, then I must play it (not the provisional). No matter how sketchy the lie. Water is in play on eleven holes on my course. Almost every round, one player in my foursome has to make a time-wasting walk back and forth to proceed. Crazy!
Especially if you are walking, this is a terrible waste of time. The course I usually play likewise has several places where this happens. In the video, James made a comment about how the rules shouldn't punish golfers for things out of their control.
Have different tee boxes based on handicap ie reds for 20+ yellows for 11 - 19 and whites for 10 and below. It would even things up and speed up the game
One of the rule changes from 2019 that bothers me is a local rule of being able to drop in the edge of the fairway and take a 2 stroke penalty for a ball that is lost instead of reteeing. I never know if the course I'm playing allows for that rule or not. Of course, it's possible I'm misunderstanding the rule all together.
I have to agree with the comment about stroke and distance penalty especially when it comes to the "weekend golfer" like myself. Just make it a drop and penalty and speed up play for everyone.
Agree Relief from divots would be good, but how about Being able to drop a ball where the ball crossed an out of bounds marker, instead of having to play the shot again, similar to the lateral hazard (penalty area) rule? - one shot penalty instead of stroke and distance?
Totally agree with you James on fairway divots,as for ahoy changes,I have a complete bug bare over the dropping of the golf ball they should scrap it altogether in favour of just place it and get on with it,that would also speed the game up,not only that it is a totally unfair rule,the reason being we are not all the same height.
I think that if you lose a ball you should be able to drop where you think it is lost for a 2 stroke penalty rather than having to go back to where you last played from. On a busy course you cant always go back due to the following group. I really think this would speed up the game
Daftest penalty I know is if you are under a tree in the autumn and knock of a leaf when taking a backswing. As if one leaf less would really improve your actual golf shot.
Agreed fairway divot is the worst rule. It is clearly a "man-made" object, you should get relief. My friends and I never play by that rule. We are not going to penalize a good drive.
Allow use of GPS and Range Finders to speed up the game. They can pretty much determine the yardage by using a cheat book and manually walking off the yardage, but it takes too long and takes away from the enjoyment of the game for players and viewers. Also, use carts to speed up the game.
James, l think most golfers think the same as you, unfortunately there is a big problem with what is a divot? There would be many arguments, particularly at what point has a divot repaired and is normal fairway? Another issue is when a divot is partially in the rough and partially on the fairway, does your ball lay on the fairway or in the rough. When an opinion is required there will always be disagreements. Equity sometimes provides an answer, but not in this case. There is no simple answer to this issue so best left as it is.
All good points...fact is you shouldn't have to play out lf a divot but I didn't think about how the application of that rule could play out and cause issues
I would take a cleaver to the rules on obstructions, etc; simply play the ball as you find it or declare it unplayable- no messing around with what is or is not standing water, animal holes, divots, tyre ruts, etc., same rule whether a fixed object is natural or man made.
Without doubt the divot rule has to change I have never understood why it hasn’t. As golfers we all have a responsibility to call out players who think it’s acceptable to not replace/repair their divot.
Fairway divot is the biggest change I’d make. Also, relief from non-characteristic features on course, for example if the turf has died and you are in a mud lie that isn’t meant to be there.
Footprints / animal prints in bunkers. Playing out of a deer print is a nightmare. You should get relief from that or someone who hasn’t bothered raking after entering a bunker
I'm not happy what going on with the lost ball rule...the lost of distance is a huge advantage for long hitters...it speeds up play but can be a big advantage.
Relief from a fairway divot is a must for 2023, especially of it is sand filled, there’s no more clear example of ground under repair. A golfer in the afternoon, lands in the same spot as a golfer hit from in the morning, should not be penalized!
So what are your playing partners supposed to do while you are waiting around for a replacement club because you slightly scuffed your sand-iron due to a small stone in the bunker? Slow play and resentment anyone?
Would like to see OOB treated like a penalty area - one stroke penalty taking a drop as you would had you entered a penalty area, only exception being you can’t play the ball from OOB. Would like to see back on the line relief to have two options, one as currently in the rules back on line with the flag, introducing additionally back on line with the Tee; the latter being far more realistic on such as a dog leg hole.
AgreeJames the golfer who lands in divot did not cause it...the player that caused divot had benefit of a good lie yet any player after them doesn't benefit from good lie....that is just bot fair!! Also even if a divot is replaced / repaired by the player causing it there is also ( as happens on course I play) that birds come and turn over divots to get food....so does that mean the divot is caused by an "animal scrapping"?? Other "aninal scrapings" get relief so why not rhis situation....but easiest thing to do would be to just get relief. Golf from a divot is not playing the spirit of the game.⛳️⛳️⛳️
I would like to get rid of the penalty for accidentally moving the ball, however it happens, wherever it is on the course. The rule should be to replace the ball with no penalty. Golf is hard enough as it is.
I agree very much with you on the fairway divot. I also believe, to make golf more fun and easier for some, no matter the course conditions, anyone with a 20 handicap or higher, should be allowed to lift clean and replace, giving themselves the best lie possible on every shot. Think about it, who drives their handicap down, not sandbaggers!! Make the game easier for those trying to learn, it’s already stupid hard.
Increase the club limit to at least 15. Would be a huge bonus for the manufactures and the 14 club limit was creates a hundred years ago when course were much different,
I would agree 100% about having to hit out of a divot in the fairway. You are penalized for hitting onto the preferred surface. That rule needs to change.
Agree on the divot and I would also take away the penalty for hitting another ball while putting, putting with the flag in was to speed up play but as much time is lost marking balls
I had to like this from the get-go just because I *love* the idea of being more inclusive when it comes to anyone, but in particular those with disabilities.
I think the provisional ball rule needs changing,having hit one in the middle of the fairway, and then finding your original ball is unplayable why can't you play the provisional? but no you have to return to where you last played the shot.Crazy.
I agree with moving the ball from a fairway divot. REASON: You are supposed to repair your divot by either replacing the grass you excavated, or, you are to fill the divot with the COURSE GIVEN SAND BOTTLE. I think this is a no brainer because, if the divot is still there, doesnt it now make this "ground under repair"?
Play it as it lies or take another shot from where you played the last one for a one shot penalty. Then tear up the rules book and get rid of all officials and committee's, putting the money saved into junior golf.
I agree with your comment on fairway divots. I’d go further as the rules of golf are heavily weighted for professionals playing tournaments, not armatures playing friendly rounds. There needs to be an acknowledgement that many of us play golf in less than pristine conditions, on courses that are not perhaps finely manicured. Amateurs don’t have a crowd of spectators watching the balls land or helping to find the balls in the rough.
Yep. The local "leaf rule" (which is actually a local rule) comes into play at our club in all four seasons. If you know the ball is "somewhere in this general area in the rough" then the ball isn't lost. Drop another and hit it without penalty.
@@michaelzdanis3979 might be a local rule at your club, I’ve not seen it anywhere. Saying that, our group recently adopted that very same attitude at a course last week, where the fairway grass was so long we couldn’t distinguish the difference between fairway and rough, and wherever our balls landed it was amongst a field of leafs. I lost a ball in the middle of the 18th fairway and all four of us saw it go straight up the middle!!
@@keithygadget381 It is "Model Local Rule F-14" which the committee can choose to adopt or not, generally during the fall when there are lots of leaves on the ground. Basically if the ball goes into the rough in an area with a lot of leaves, everyone knows its in there but you can't find it, drop with no penalty.
When I said it comes into play all four seasons, I didn't mean the committee has it place at all times - they don't. I just meant our foursome plays it that way. The grass in the rough can completely "eat" a ball particularly if it hasn't been mown for a couple of days. As you said - pros don't loose these!!
GHA added that rule about the divots. Just use that
@Michael Zdanis my club has that rule too...as long as your group agree its cool
Definitely need to change that rule of hitting out of a divot. Even heard jack Nicklaus say it on TV many years ago. Should be “ground under repair” ! There’s no difference if the fairway is being worked on and marked off
Absolutely agree about divots. A divot is literally a change in the course made by a competitor. Repairing spike marks falls under the same situation; why did they allow those to be repaired?
Also, I'd like to go back to requiring the flag stick to be removed. It saves no time, and it deprives us of that glorious sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup.
I've been saying this for years. If you hit a tee ball in the fairway, you deserve a fairway lie, just like everyone else. That divot may have been left by the group ahead of you and cannot possibly be considered a part of the course. It is ground under repair, no questions asked.
Absolutely agree! An unrepaired divot is ground under repair and fairness should dictate the player gets free relief no closer to the hole.
If you derive so much joy at the sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup, have the pin pulled when you putt, no rule against that...
@@lbhunter6341 No, but when you play with others who keep it in, it becomes a bit of an issue. It's rather impolite for me to keep asking for someone to pul the pin for me.
Sorry - can't agree with you about the flagstick. This one rule change has probably helped to speed up rounds more than any other. No reason for most amateurs to take the flag out.
110% agree with the divot rule!! Afterall if your ball is imbedded in the fairway and deemed to have broken the surface I.e plugged ....then you get relief so surely if your ball is in a divot it's also broken the level of the surface??? 🤔🤔🤔
Thank you for this James. Fairway divots and unraked bunkers. So you ball comes to rest in a foot hole in the sand. Should be able to move it.
Fairway Divots - absolutely. If a player lifts the ball, and it is not deemed a fairway divot, you place it back in its position. Easy does it.
I would also like to see relief options for drains, sprinkler systems, etc... around the greens that are in your line of play. I believe the LPGA allowed this in a tournament - but it should be standard in all golf.
2022 rule question: my ball didn't quite make the green and rolled backward down the hill towards the sand trap stopping precariously 1/2" from the lip. The only way I could play the ball was 1 foot in the sand trap, 1 foot 2' higher on the lip and choke up half way up the club. I was not addressing the ball or attempting to hit it - just testing my stance and how far to choke up on the club. I tried a practice swing and impacted the grass near the lip. The ground vibrations shook my ball loose from its place on the lip and the ball rolled into sand trap. Since I wasn't addressing the ball or attempting to hit the ball am I right that I don't incur a stroke? Does that count as a penalty? Do I have to play the ball as it lies or can I replace the ball on the lip?
James, absolutely agree with the playing out of a divot, I think you should be able to role the ball out from this without penalty
Rule I’d change is in Stablefords. I’m off 3.8. I just can’t compete with scores in the 44+ category. I think it would be fairer, if you don’t score on a hole, you lose a point, rather than just a 0.
If someone's scoring 44+ stableford points I doubt there's too many non scoring holes in there. When I was a high handicapper I once had 49 points with one non scoring hole. Under your proposal it would be 48 points so not a world of difference.
Racking and replacing ball when in a foot print. My son plays junior competition golf, and it is insane the amount of times he is in a foot print becuase junior tour have 6-15 year olds and sometimes follow member play for the day. There is not gauge of skill having to hit out of a bunker foot print. If everyone in the group agrees, shoudl be able to lift, rake and replace.
Doesn't matter learning etiquette learning rules
Learning how to play out of bad lies.
Deff agree about fairway divots and getting relief from a great drive thats buried in a divot. it for sure effects your next shot. Especially on muni courses us mere mortals play that dont always have the best grounds crew. And, as amature golfers are concerned out of bounds tee shots should be a one shot penalty at the nearest spot of relieve. Provisional shots and going back to the tee box is not feasable with trying to play at a good pace on muni courses. Especially when you hit a tee shot just off the fairway in rough that you feel like is not that tall and you cant find your ball. The pros have the gallery and spoters watching their tee shots with flags to mark their shots. Its tuff when your tee shot is just off the fairway and you can't find your ball.
Agree on fairway divots. I also think the the OB rule should just be a 1 stroke penalty and drop where the ball crossed into the OB. Stroke and Distance is a bit harsh especially for higher handicaps that would tend to hit more balls OB.
I'd like to add tree roots in the path of the swing. Here it's a local rules.
And you are being nominated for an Oscar with your 6 iron shot.
The issue with divots is "when is a divot not a divot". If the divot has " healed" for two weeks (and it's just a dent in the fairway with slightly sparse grass) do I get to bump it because I don't like little dents? Fairways aren't carpets, some little dents were never actually a real divot. I understand why the divot rule is frustrating, but not sure how to keep people from bumping every fairway lie.
OoB & Missing Ball shall be treated the same and be able to free drop along the GAC line with penalty. I wonder how many people are really walk back and hit another ball during recreation golf game?
For years now, my friends and I have considered a divot to be "ground under repair," because that's precisely what it is. Good to see that the GHA agrees. Should be the case in all golf, as far as I'm concerned.
Great video James. I agree with you on the fairway divot relief, another issue I have with some of the more insane rules of golf is for leaves in winter. Some courses I have played this year have been impacted massively with fallen leaves that have not been removed or swept clear. Both myself and a playing partner played our second shot on a par five into an area of the hole literally totally covered with leaves. We know where our balls had entered and was still very much in play but it was impossible to find them in the 3 mins allowed. We both had to play stroke and distance due to the 'lost ball' rule. This needs looking at for winter play, it's another lottery affair when playing golf.
You are part of the problem for slow play. Drop anther ball where you agree it went into the leaves and play on no penalty. Or are you playing for a million dollar purse where it matters?
@@davidd1395 Maybe it was a competition. Don't assume.
So Mr. Speedy, are you saying that you wouldn't take a couple of minutes to look for a ball you know landed in the fairway? I'm calling BS on that one. I'm all for moving along and not wasting time on the course, but please, spare us the sanctimony.
Thanks, James, I agree with dropping from a divot in the Fairway, No Longer Hazard......Penalty area.
Hi James thanks for the update. Agree about the playing out of a divot. Also, most courses I play on are pretty poorly maintained, so lots of bare ground, dried-mud bunkers, etc. so being able to get 'relief' out of those areas would be useful. BUT - the main thing for me is not the rules per se, it's the poor adherence to golf etiquette. I live in France and players just can't keep quiet, walk on lines, play out of sequence, cheat outrageously, etc. etc. More needs to be done to push the fair play and basic etiquette of the game. And reduce the price of playing - €75 for a game is high.
one rule is take out the out of bounds stroke and distance. Make it all hazards where you just drop for a stroke on point of entry.
Agree with you on the fairway divot rule but one I would like to see changed (at least for the pros) when you ball comes to rest and you get to take relief, it must be in the same conditions, ie the rough. Your relief should not allow you to drop your ball into a much better lie than where you hit it
Big issue in our course in winter, being clay based. Often have really soft puggy areas (but not wet enough to get free relief) close to fairways & greens where green staff unable to mow as close as desired. Ball lands, plugs,and disappears! Goes in deep and long grass folded over can make it impossible to find in 3 mins. On two holes with steep slope in front of the green this can occur to a shot literally just a couple of metres off the green. Only solution is for areas to be marked GUR, but would be ideal if player and his/her marker both agree on the entry point and free relief allowed.
I agree with getting relief from a fairway divot. If you land in the fairway in "ground under repair" you get a free drop, why isn't a divot considered GUR in the fairway?
100% agree about rule on fairway divots.
I/We have always played the roots and rocks rule. We do not have a manufacturer's truck following us around and providing a replacement club to our fitted specs free of charge. We have even created a fun little game called "foot wedge" for times of slow play, always in the shade, involving a tee and some balls.
Specking of group specific fun little rules, we unvented "The Shady" Rule some years back during a particularly hot summer here in the Southern US. If you manage to land your shot fully in the shade, you not only get relief from the sun, but that stroke does not count. When using this rule you do not submit that round to the GHIN system, especially if you are good at "Shadies".
Absolutely relief from fairway divots & change the ball drop from knee height to arm hanging down.
Playing out of a fairway divot is my #1 as well.
Definitely agreeing with you regarding the divot in the fairway rule.
Totally agree about getting relief on fairway divots...you are in prime position (hitting fairway) and than you are worse off than when you just missed the fairway. Nothing fair about that😌
what is the correct way to drop a ball . A, should you have leg straight and drop from knee high or B, bend your knee and drop from knee high . paul
I agree about divots, but there is a question about what is a divot vs. depression, etc. For most people, they play winter rules in your own fairway unless it is a true competitive round.
My thoughts exactly. How do you define a 'divot'? Any ruling needs to be unambiguous. the only way I see this as being practical is to allow pick and place in the fairway all the time.
Now a rule which I think SHOULD be implemented. We should be allowed to hit a provisional over a water hazard. My golf course has numerous water hazards (both yellow and red). Most are surrounded by bullrushes, and often golf shots look like they might have cleared the hazard but your not 100% sure (bullrushes obscure view). Current rule says I have to work my way around the pond and if I haven't cleared, I have to walk back to the other side and drop. BIG waste of time. Let me hit a provisional before I cross. If my ball has cleared, then I must play it (not the provisional). No matter how sketchy the lie. Water is in play on eleven holes on my course. Almost every round, one player in my foursome has to make a time-wasting walk back and forth to proceed. Crazy!
Especially if you are walking, this is a terrible waste of time. The course I usually play likewise has several places where this happens. In the video, James made a comment about how the rules shouldn't punish golfers for things out of their control.
Hi James There a videos saying 18 clubs limit from 1st of January 2023 is this correct . Well the videos do not say according to R&A rules !
Have different tee boxes based on handicap ie reds for 20+ yellows for 11 - 19 and whites for 10 and below. It would even things up and speed up the game
One of the rule changes from 2019 that bothers me is a local rule of being able to drop in the edge of the fairway and take a 2 stroke penalty for a ball that is lost instead of reteeing. I never know if the course I'm playing allows for that rule or not. Of course, it's possible I'm misunderstanding the rule all together.
I have to agree with the comment about stroke and distance penalty especially when it comes to the "weekend golfer" like myself. Just make it a drop and penalty and speed up play for everyone.
Thanks for this video James, simple but easy to follow to quickly know the new changes to golf!
If the ball comes to rest without previously been dropped, and it moves…..can I still replace it? Thks!
Agree Relief from divots would be good, but how about Being able to drop a ball where the ball crossed an out of bounds marker, instead of having to play the shot again, similar to the lateral hazard (penalty area) rule? - one shot penalty instead of stroke and distance?
As soon as you said rule change divot came right to mine should be ground under repair plus pitch spots also
The fairway divot definitely needs to change!
Any change to the handicap calculation?
Thank you for that info James. That 6 iron, when it snapped I was owwww 😲
Totally agree with you James on fairway divots,as for ahoy changes,I have a complete bug bare over the dropping of the golf ball they should scrap it altogether in favour of just place it and get on with it,that would also speed the game up,not only that it is a totally unfair rule,the reason being we are not all the same height.
A Drop is used to keep an element of randomness in the lie, rather than simply let you "tee it up" to your preference.
When i say place the ball i don't mean teeing it up, look what happens when you drop the ball on a down slope.
@@rayyoumissedthetopwinnerfi1553 you do know that the phrase "teeing it up" doesn't mean using a Tee Peg, right?
Yes i am fully aware of that.i just feel it would help to speed the game up and stop all the slow play which i am sure you have witnessed your self 👍
@@rayyoumissedthetopwinnerfi1553 Takes more time to Place the Ball than to Drop it.
I wouldn't have known the changes in rules if it weren't for your video. Thanks, James!!
Yep, the dreaded fairway divot. I’m rarely in the fairway, but when I do and it’s in a divot, we usually move it. 6” roll in the fairway
I think that if you lose a ball you should be able to drop where you think it is lost for a 2 stroke penalty rather than having to go back to where you last played from. On a busy course you cant always go back due to the following group. I really think this would speed up the game
Daftest penalty I know is if you are under a tree in the autumn and knock of a leaf when taking a backswing. As if one leaf less would really improve your actual golf shot.
Agreed fairway divot is the worst rule. It is clearly a "man-made" object, you should get relief. My friends and I never play by that rule. We are not going to penalize a good drive.
Great video again James. I agree relief from any divot should be allowed but especially on the fairway
Allow use of GPS and Range Finders to speed up the game. They can pretty much determine the yardage by using a cheat book and manually walking off the yardage, but it takes too long and takes away from the enjoyment of the game for players and viewers. Also, use carts to speed up the game.
James, l think most golfers think the same as you, unfortunately there is a big problem with what is a divot? There would be many arguments, particularly at what point has a divot repaired and is normal fairway? Another issue is when a divot is partially in the rough and partially on the fairway, does your ball lay on the fairway or in the rough. When an opinion is required there will always be disagreements. Equity sometimes provides an answer, but not in this case. There is no simple answer to this issue so best left as it is.
All good points...fact is you shouldn't have to play out lf a divot but I didn't think about how the application of that rule could play out and cause issues
Super late response, but I think the best solution is educating people and making sure they fill their divots with sand. Makes it a lot less punishing
I would take a cleaver to the rules on obstructions, etc; simply play the ball as you find it or declare it unplayable- no messing around with what is or is not standing water, animal holes, divots, tyre ruts, etc., same rule whether a fixed object is natural or man made.
Without doubt the divot rule has to change I have never understood why it hasn’t.
As golfers we all have a responsibility to call out players who think it’s acceptable to not replace/repair their divot.
Or not raking bunkers, or whatever they are called now. 😉
Fairway divot is the biggest change I’d make. Also, relief from non-characteristic features on course, for example if the turf has died and you are in a mud lie that isn’t meant to be there.
Footprints / animal prints in bunkers. Playing out of a deer print is a nightmare. You should get relief from that or someone who hasn’t bothered raking after entering a bunker
Isn't the Yellow hazard back to the tee?
I'm not happy what going on with the lost ball rule...the lost of distance is a huge advantage for long hitters...it speeds up play but can be a big advantage.
Surely some rules are more applicable to tournament golf, and there should be some allowances for friendly non competition rounds.
Fairway divots relief is only fair. Great videos!
Relief from a fairway divot is a must for 2023, especially of it is sand filled, there’s no more clear example of ground under repair. A golfer in the afternoon, lands in the same spot as a golfer hit from in the morning, should not be penalized!
So what are your playing partners supposed to do while you are waiting around for a replacement club because you slightly scuffed your sand-iron due to a small stone in the bunker? Slow play and resentment anyone?
Would like to see OOB treated like a penalty area - one stroke penalty taking a drop as you would had you entered a penalty area, only exception being you can’t play the ball from OOB. Would like to see back on the line relief to have two options, one as currently in the rules back on line with the flag, introducing additionally back on line with the Tee; the latter being far more realistic on such as a dog leg hole.
AgreeJames the golfer who lands in divot did not cause it...the player that caused divot had benefit of a good lie yet any player after them doesn't benefit from good lie....that is just bot fair!! Also even if a divot is replaced / repaired by the player causing it there is also ( as happens on course I play) that birds come and turn over divots to get food....so does that mean the divot is caused by an "animal scrapping"?? Other "aninal scrapings" get relief so why not rhis situation....but easiest thing to do would be to just get relief.
Golf from a divot is not playing the spirit of the game.⛳️⛳️⛳️
I would like to get rid of the penalty for accidentally moving the ball, however it happens, wherever it is on the course. The rule should be to replace the ball with no penalty. Golf is hard enough as it is.
What club are you getting that break that easily
I agree very much with you on the fairway divot. I also believe, to make golf more fun and easier for some, no matter the course conditions, anyone with a 20 handicap or higher, should be allowed to lift clean and replace, giving themselves the best lie possible on every shot. Think about it, who drives their handicap down, not sandbaggers!! Make the game easier for those trying to learn, it’s already stupid hard.
Absolute nonsense, that's what your 20+ handicap is for.... practice more and get better 🙂
a fairway divot is technically ground under repair so why wont they change that
Increase the club limit to at least 15. Would be a huge bonus for the manufactures and the 14 club limit was creates a hundred years ago when course were much different,
Great video James!!! Thank you so much for breaking down each of these changes!!!
I would agree 100% about having to hit out of a divot in the fairway. You are penalized for hitting onto the preferred surface. That rule needs to change.
Definitely a free drop from fairway divots.
Fantastic vids 👌 👏🏻
I ❤️ it !!! And done with humour! I don’t think my wife would bringing me another club either!
absolutely playing out of a divot!! lift, don't clean, then place at the BACK of the divot on the fairway (within 6 inches)!!!
Yep, fairway divots! Add to that "any ground damaged by a previous player".
What's a hazard??
I was just thinking about landing in a divot and you mentioned it. That is a great choice James.
Agree on the divot and I would also take away the penalty for hitting another ball while putting, putting with the flag in was to speed up play but as much time is lost marking balls
After watching 100's, maybe 1000's, of rounds, I'm thinking it's better and faster to go back to pulled flags.
Got to be a fairway divot just a quick comment, surely if a golfer has had a good round, shouldn't he expect a handicap cut ?
As person going blind can I use ball tracking during competition these days
Agree the divot rule needs changing , why should I be penalised for someone else's laziness.
Fully agree with relief from a fairway divot!
Liked the video James relief from the fairway divot for me I played in a comp ball landed in a divot hit a bad shot we lost the comp by 3 shots
Thank you for bringing that to our attention James and I’m with you, let’s have a free drop if your ball lands in a divot on the fairway
I had to like this from the get-go just because I *love* the idea of being more inclusive when it comes to anyone, but in particular those with disabilities.
Pick and place on own fairway all year. Puts the emphasis back on accurate drives than blast and hope..
Nice video. Not sure about the acting on the club break swing 🤣🤣
Great stuff as always James!
I think the provisional ball rule needs changing,having hit one in the middle of the fairway, and then finding your original ball is unplayable why can't you play the provisional? but no you have to return to where you last played the shot.Crazy.
No you don't. It's one of the options, but you can also take lateral relief, or go back in line with the hole.
Did you get that broken club in 1 take 😀. I did the same thing that pro did trying out a demo club. Shaft broke right in the grip
No I nearly broke my wrist twice 😂😂😂😂😂
Agree - fairway divots or poorly managed course conditions. Why should we be penalized for poorly kept fairways, bunkers, and greens
I agree with moving the ball from a fairway divot. REASON: You are supposed to repair your divot by either replacing the grass you excavated, or, you are to fill the divot with the COURSE GIVEN SAND BOTTLE.
I think this is a no brainer because, if the divot is still there, doesnt it now make this "ground under repair"?
20 max handicap in comps....fed up 20+ handicaps getting 45+ points......ridiculous on my 7.6 I'd need to go -2 to compete
Play it as it lies or take another shot from where you played the last one for a one shot penalty. Then tear up the rules book and get rid of all officials and committee's, putting the money saved into junior golf.
Yes I agree we should not have to play from a fairway divot
James great video, fairway divot relief 👍
Great video James,always doubts about rules !!!
I was hoping they would change the lost ball rule. Losing two shots for a lost ball with only 3 mins to find it is rediculous
Ball in divot in fairway. Foot wedge it backwards and now ball is in play.
Can’t believe that having to play from a divot is still in place.