rules of golf

McIlroy: Golf ball change won't affect average golfers

McIlroy: Golf ball change won't affect average golfers

Rory McIlroy believes "elite pros" and equipment makers are to blame for an expected rule change which will reduce how far golf balls travel. 4 Dec 2023
Morri: Rollback decision about saving face

Morri: Rollback decision about saving face

Like a stone dropped in a pond the fallout from Jay Monahan’s rejection of the distance rollback proposal will continue to make waves in golf for a long time to come. 31 Jul 2023
Rahm: ‘Why change what's working?’

Rahm: ‘Why change what's working?’

A rule proposal by golf's governing bodies to limit the distance balls can travel in professional tournaments would only hurt players who hit it shorter off the tee, World No.2 Jon Rahm says. 22 Mar 2023
Morri: Rollback could test power of ruling bodies

Morri: Rollback could test power of ruling bodies

Leaving aside the golf specific elements, the most important development from last week’s rollback proposal might end up being the first real test of the legitimacy of the game’s governing bodies in living memory. 20 Mar 2023
Model Local Rule proposal to limit golf ball distance at elite level announced

Model Local Rule proposal to limit golf ball distance at elite level announced

The R&A and USGA have proposed a Model Local Rule (MLR) that gives competition organisers the option to require use of golf balls that are tested under modified launch conditions to address the impacts of hitting distance in golf. 15 Mar 2023
Morri: New rules reinforce the same public golf message

Morri: New rules reinforce the same public golf message

It didn’t attract much fanfare, but last week’s announcement that specific rules have been introduced for golfers with a disability may be the most important thing to happen in the game for years. 14 Nov 2022
Rules of Golf updated for 2023

Rules of Golf updated for 2023

The R&A and the USGA have unveiled a regular update to the Rules of Golf as they continue to make the Rules easier to understand and apply. The new Rules will go into effect on 1 January 2023. 8 Nov 2022
R&A and USGA further limit use of green-reading materials

R&A and USGA further limit use of green-reading materials

Golf’s governing bodies have made available a Model Local Rule (MLR) to further limit the use of Green-Reading Materials. 2 Dec 2021
Does this deserve a free drop?

Does this deserve a free drop?

It is a debate that flares every now and then ... should a player be able to get relief from a divot? Here are two sides of the debate for you to consider. 19 Oct 2021
New video series to help juniors learn the Rules of Golf

New video series to help juniors learn the Rules of Golf

The R&A is launching a new video series which has been created for junior golfers to learn about the Rules of Golf and improve their enjoyment of the sport by understanding how to apply them on the course. 4 Feb 2021
The Thing About Golf Podcast #13 - John Paramor

The Thing About Golf Podcast #13 - John Paramor

John Paramor has spent the best part of 45 years adjudicating on animal scrapes and penalty drops. 10 Mar 2020
Morri: Time to take 10?

Morri: Time to take 10?

It’s not a new idea, of course, but then nothing really is. It does remain, however, one of the more intriguing routes the game could pursue and will remain so for as long as there is a 14-club rule. 21 Nov 2019
Parnevik docked after bizarre moment

Parnevik docked after bizarre moment

A bizarre incident involving Swede Jesper Parnevik during the SAS Championship on Sunday was so unusual officials had to consult the game's ruling body for clarification. 14 Oct 2019
Slow Pokes: The solutions to slow play

Slow Pokes: The solutions to slow play

Pace of play is the one blight on the game that trickles down from the professional Tours to grass roots club golf. At the elite level, slow play is frustrating for all from players to fans. Here, the man at the coalface of administering pro golf in Australia offers some solutions. 16 Jul 2019
Ogilvy: Have too many cooks spoiled the rules broth?

Ogilvy: Have too many cooks spoiled the rules broth?

Like everyone else in golf, I’ve spent some time recently getting my head round the new rules that were introduced on January 1st. 18 Apr 2019
Morri: Settle down now, children

Morri: Settle down now, children

Divided. That, sadly, is the one word answer I would feel compelled to give if asked to sum up golf right now. 7 Mar 2019
Thomas & USGA to debate new rules

Thomas & USGA to debate new rules

Justin Thomas and the USGA are taking their Twitter beef over rules changes offline. 4 Mar 2019
Morri: Learn the letter of the law

Morri: Learn the letter of the law

Are the Rules of Golf dumb? Stupid? Absurd? Ridiculous? 7 Feb 2019
Governing bodies clarify caddie rule

Governing bodies clarify caddie rule

The Royal & Ancient and United States Golf Association issued clarification on where and when a caddie can stand behind a player who is lining up a shot following two controversial incidents at two different events. 7 Feb 2019
Flagstick rule can help at Masters: Woods

Flagstick rule can help at Masters: Woods

Tiger Woods agrees with Adam Scott that golf's new flagstick rule could be an advantage at the Masters on Augusta National's slick greens. 24 Jan 2019
OGILVY: The Rules of Golf can be an ass

OGILVY: The Rules of Golf can be an ass

Like most people in golf, I’ve been watching with interest as the upcoming “refreshing” of the rule book has evolved. 22 Mar 2018