USGA & Local Rule Changes

The United States Golf Association and the R&A agree to amend the rules of golf
 on January 1st every 4 years.  The next revision will be in 2012.
The following are some principal changes since the last revision of January 1, 2004:

• Rule 4-1. Form and Make of Clubs -- Amended to reduce the penalty for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club or a club in breach of Rule 4-2, from disqualification to the same as carrying more than 14 clubs.
• Rule 12-2. Identifying Ball -- Amended to allow a player to lift his ball for identification in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 15-3, removing the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard).
• Rule 15-3. Wrong Ball -- Amended to remove the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 12-2, allowing the player to lift a ball for identification in a hazard).
• Rule 16-1e. Standing Astride or on Line of Putt -- Exception added to apply no penalty if the act was inadvertent or to avoid standing on another player's line of putt; previously authorized by Decision only.
• Rule 19-2. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment -- Amended to reduce the penalty in both match play and stroke play to one stroke.
• Rule 24-1. Movable Obstruction -- Amended to allow a flagstick, whether attended, removed or held up, to be moved when a ball is in motion.

In the following four Rules, the term "reasonable evidence" has been replaced by "known or virtually certain" when determining whether a ball that has not been found may be treated as lost in an obstruction (Rule 24-3), an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or a water hazard (Rule 26-1). See corresponding change to Definition of "Lost Ball" and Rule 18-1.

• Rule 24-3. Ball in Obstruction Not Found;
• Rule 25-1c. Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found;
• Rule 26-1. Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards);
• Rule 27-1. Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes --

In addition to the in the rules of Golf, Port Huron Golf Club has made the following changes to the local rules previously noted on the score card.
 

• All areas previously mentioned as " through the green" and treated as such, shall now be defined as bunkers.  This eliminates the opportunity to ground a club or remove loose impediments in these areas.
• Stones in bunkers shall no longer  be treated as movable obstructions.

For more details or clarification on any of the rule changes, please see Joel in the Pro Shop at your convenience.