Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2017 - 4

INSIDE
THE MG A
Rules Rewritten
* BY TOM RYAN *
Proposed changes by the USGA and
R&A will benefit all golfers.
T
he entire golf world
is talking about the
proposed changes
to the Rules of Golf issued
by the USGA and the R&A
March 1. Over the next six
months, the USGA will be
considering feedback related
to all aspects of the proposed
changes, making the fi nal
tweaks necessary before presenting
the Rules in their fi -
nal form.
I suspect most of the comments
will relate to specifi c
aspects of the changes, but
as I look at the proposal, I'm
struck not with the Rules
changes themselves, but that
they have been written in a
much easier to understand
format and that they'll be
much easier to apply. Players
of every level should appreciate
and applaud the effort.
It's a myth that there is a
direct correlation between
skill level and knowledge
of the Rules. Tour level and
elite amateur players have
become so reliant on rules
offi cials, many haven't taken
the time to understand the
background of the Rules
or the application of them.
They know most of what they
know from playing, not from
studying.
At the same time, the complexity
of the Rules is intimidating
and frustrating for the
4
MINNESOTAGOLFER Spring 2017
casual golfer. And while the
issue of how much the Rules
of the game and how they're
written is a deterrent can be
debated, it's clear it hasn't
been a positive.
Understanding the Rules
as currently written takes a
special mindset and effort.
USGA and state golf association
staff and rules volunteers
have
committed incredible
amounts of time studying
and applying the Rules. To
graphics of the golfi ng public
are changing and are serious
about sustaining the game
and its future.
While it doesn't happen
often, major rewrites of the
Rules do occur, the most recent
being in 1984. It doesn't
happen without a great deal
of discussion, testing and, ultimately,
consensus.
While some wonder why
this latest rewrite " took so
long, " the important thing is
" I'm encouraged by the effort to rewrite the
Rules in a manner that everyone can more
easily understand. It just makes sense. "
expect a casual golfer to pick
up a Rule book and understand
it is too much to hope
for. That's why I'm encouraged
by the effort to rewrite
the Rules in a manner that
everyone can more easily understand.
It just makes sense.
Golf is an evolving game
in many ways. Maintenance
practices and improvement
in equipment have changed
every performance variable,
and the demographics of
those who play are changing
as well. For the USGA,
R&A and their collaborators
to " blow up " the Rule book
and start over is a clear signal
they understand the demothat
they got it right.
Also, with all the changes
presented, the golden rule of
golf is preserved. That is to
" play the course as you fi nd
it, and the ball as it lies. "
It's the fundamental principle
of our game, and only
when a situation presents itself-that
makes it diffi cult
or impossible to continue
playing-do the Rules of play
actually take effect. Signifi -
cant changes have occurred
with every rewrite, but never
compromising the challenges
the game presents us.
Because at the end of the
day, that's why we play.
See you on the course.
What is MGA
Membership?
It's your
invitation to
play some of
the fi nest golf
courses around,
through participation
in MGA Associate Members'
Days or the MGA
Senior Tour. * It's your
USGA Handicap Index,
now updated twice every
month, year-round.
* It's your subscription
to Minnesota Golfer
magazine, delivered to
your home. * It's your
support of programs
and services that
make the game better.
Golf Rounds
2016 Golf Rounds
Year-to-Date
Minnesota
4.8%
Twin Cities
1.9%
United States
0.6%
Public
0.9%
Private
0.6%
Golf Data Tech LLC, Dec. 2016
www.mngolf.org
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2017

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