The rule changes that will be enacted for 2012-15 by the R&A and USGA show golf’s governing bodies are coming to their senses. The best and most impactful change will exonerate a player from penalty if it is known their ball was moved by the wind after address.
Up to now, if a ball was blown by the wind on a green after it was addressed by the player, they incurred a penalty. Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy were victims of circumstance regarding this rule this year, and Webb Simpson was assessed a stroke penalty on the 15th green at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in May and eventually lost in a playoff to Bubba Watson.
As fast as greens are at some PGA Tour events, and as undulating as some of the greens are, a ball being moved by the wind is at times inevitable, and a player shouldn’t pay a price for it.
The game is already largely a self-policed game, relying on players to call penalties on themselves, so why would it be any different on a green. If a player causes a ball to move by touching it, they can call themselves on it.
The R&A and USGA also made some logical rule changes regarding amateurs and amateur status. The rules are generally for elite players who are expected to turn pro but are playing out their amateur careers.
Amateurs can now:
_ Enter into a contract and/or agreement with his national golf union or association, provided the golfer does not obtain any financial gain, directly or indirectly, while still an amateur golfer.
_ Enter into a contract and/or agreement with a third party solely in relation to the golfer’s future as a professional golfer, provided the golfer does not obtain any financial gain, directly or indirectly, and is not required to play in certain amateur or professional events, while still an amateur golfer, granted he is 18 or older.
_ Receive reasonable subsistence expenses, not exceeding actual costs, to assist with general living costs, provided the expenses are approved by and paid through the golfer’s national golf union or association.
