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The USGA currently has a

strong initiative to make the

rules of golf less confusing

and more user friendly. To

support that, a new rule is

being implemented January

1st, 2016 that will 

eliminate a

penalty if your golf ball moves

when on the putting green.

You may remember the

confusion that ensued at the

2016 US Open when Dustin

Johnson’s golf ball moved

while at address on the

green. He did not touch the

ball but it did oscillate and

the Committee declared the

movement was probably due

to his stance and/or the

grounding of his putter. They

then assessed hima one stroke

penalty.  While you may

disagree with this outcome,

the result did support the

current rule

 18-2.

The USGA issues rules every

four years but to integrate

this rule change immediately

it will be enacted through

course local rules.

Starting in 2017, rules 18-2, 18-3, and 20-1 are modified as follows:

When a player’s ball lies

on the putting green, there

is no penalty if the ball or

ball-marker is accidentally

moved by the player, his

partner, his opponent, or

NEW RULE!

Accidental Movement

of Golf Ball

By

Richard Todd

NWO Golf Links