Rules
Proposed Rules Change to Prohibit Use of Anchored Strokes
29 November 2012
Rule Would Take Effect on January 1, 2016, Allowing for Transitional Period
Belly-Length and Long Putters Would Remain as Conforming Clubs
The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), golf's governing bodies, today announced proposed changes to the Rules of Golf that would prohibit anchoring the club in making a stroke.
The proposed Rule 14-1b, which follows an extensive review by The R&A and the USGA, would prohibit strokes made with the club or a hand gripping the club held directly against the player's body, or with a forearm held against the body to establish an anchor point that indirectly anchors the club.
FAQs, Images, Videos and Guidelines
The R&A is pleased to provide these responses to anticipated questions concerning the interpretation and application of proposed Rule 14-1b, the reasons for the proposal and the possible effects of adopting the Rule.
Click here to view the Anchoring FAQs
If you would like to submit any comments or suggestions on the proposed Rule, you may do so by email to anchoring@randa.org. Anyone wishing to submit comments or suggestions is encouraged to do so by 28 February, 2013. The R&A anticipates taking final action on the proposed Rule in spring 2013.
Click here to watch a video on Anchoring
Click here to view an Image Gallery of Prohibited and Permitted Strokes under the proposal
Click here to view Guidelines for Players and Officials re Proposed Rule 14-1B
Rules of Golf
The R&A, St Andrews is the governing body for the rules of golf. Authority for administration of the Rules was accepted by The R&A in 1897 and, since 1952, it has jointly issued the Rules with the United States Golf Association.
The underlying principle of rules in golf is fairness. There are 3 basic guidance in the rules:
Play the ball as it lies
Play the course as you find it
If you cannot do either, do what is fair
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Golf Australia has announced the major components of the complete new GA Handicap System. Below is a letter from Chairman John Hopkins, as well as two accompanying resources. The first provides a brief summary of each major component. The second outlines the key developments and actions from the design process.
New Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status 2012
- GA communication to clubs from GA Chairman John Hopkins
- Summary of the key changes to the Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status
- Video and text explanations of the principal changes to the Rules of Amateur Status
- Video and text explanations of the principal changes to the Rules of Golf
- Download the complete edition of the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status 2012-2015
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Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2012 - 2013The Decisions on the Rules of Golf is a MUST-HAVE publication for every committee conducting golf competitions. Includes the complete Rules of Golf plus a Q&A section providing the correct interpretations valid until the end of 2013. Clarifies all ambiguities, allowing you to apply the Rules impartially in any situation. Covers everything from distance measuring devices to what to do if you can't identify a ball in a tree as yours. Price: $38.50 |
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Golf Rules Illustrated 2012 - 2015The Golf Rules Illustrated contains the complete Rules as revised at 1 January 2012, together with over 100 illustrations designed to provide an easier understanding of the laws of the game, with particular emphasis given to those situatuions that cause most difficulty for golfers at all levels. Price: $35.00
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Golf Rules in Action *CURRENTLY SOLD OUT*Golf Rules in Action is an R&A produced DVD that explains and demonstrates the basic Rules of the game using footage from top-level tournaments and involving some of the world's best golfers. Watch Woods, Els, Mickelson, Garcia, Harrington, Faldo, Ballesteros and a host of others, as the DVD takes you through the fundamental Rules. Playing the ball as it lies, obstructions, water hazards, lost ball, provisional ball, unplayable ball and lots more are covered in a way that makes it simple to understand the basic Rules. Price: $30.00 |
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Guidelines for Running an Ambrose Competition
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Rules Accreditation
The Golf WA Rules of Golf Accreditation Course is designed for those men and women who wish to improve their knowledge of the Rules of Golf and become Accredited at a club level. Details of the Course are as follows:
Seminar and examination are for the duration of approximately three hours each.
Sitting the Club Level Exam is optional and is 50 multiple choice questions on the Rules of Golf.
To pass the exam a minimum of 40 correct answers must be achieved (the exam is an open book exam using only the Rules of Golf Booklet, not the Decisions Book).
Although the seminars are an important learning forum for people interested in understanding and applying the Rules of Golf, it is virtually impossible to cover all aspects of the Rules in such a short time. Therefore, all participants are requested to familiarise themselves with the format of the current Rules Booklet prior to attendance.
