R&A visit Australia to talk about those changes to the Rules of Golf

Four changes to the Rules of Golf are set to come into effect on January 1, 2016.

If you’re still a little confused or interested in the new changes to the rules of golf that are coming into effect on January 1, 2016, this is worth a listen.

David Bonsall is the Chairman of the Rules of Golf Committee of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and he is in Australia to spread the word about the new changes.

Bonsall has given a seminar at Pennant Hills Golf Club in Sydney and Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne over the past week to expand a little on the new changes. The audio clip below captures Bonsall talking about the rules alterations and it’s definitely worth a listen if you want to know more or still a little confused.

LISTEN to David Bonsall on the new golf rules changes.

One of the key rule changes was the removal of a rule relating to the golf ball moving at address.

“We’re taking out Rule 18-2B which applied a penalty automatically if a ball moved after the player had addressed it,” Mr Bonsall said. “We can rely on the other rule that remains, Rule 18-2, which is whether the player caused the ball to move.”

The R&A review the Rules of Golf every four years and any potential changes for 2020 will be done in consultation with the USGA, starting at the beginning of next year.

Around 2,500,000 copies of the latest edition of the Rules of Golf are distributed in English and the Rules are translated into another 36 different languages for use around the world. Grab yourself a copy of the new edition of the Rules of Golf at your golf club.