Womens Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania

Think the rules of golf are too complex and difficult to understand?  When was the last time you opened the rules book that you carry in your bag?  We all want and try to play by the rules but, sometimes, it's just too confusing.

The USGA and the Royal and Ancient, the chief governing bodies of professional and recreational golf, have heard your complaints!  A joint special project by the USGA and the Royal and Ancient (R&A), which began in 2012, has been working to "modernize" the rules of golf that many feel are too technical, complex and irrelevant to most players. To put into perspective: the first set of rules were written in 1744 but not until 1952 was a unified set of rules written to govern both USGA and R&A play.  In 1984, the "Decisions" book made its appearance to further explain the 34 rules: a tome of 600 pages covering 12,000 situations!

The "modernized" version of rules are written in a way to
   -be more easily understood and applied by all golfers
   -be more consistent, simple and fair
   -reinforce the principles and character of the game

Each rule is written in a plain style, is accompanied by a statement explaining the purpose behind the rule and available in video format on the USGA website.  Also proposed is a shorter "Player's Edition" of the rules; a complete book written from the perspective of the player.  It will be an actual Rule book (not merely a summary) covering the most commonly used Rules while also telling you where to find any other answers in the full Rule book when needed.

The 33 rules revisions are divided into 8 categories neatly summarized in chart form.  These new rules will be implemented on January 1, 2019.  Until then, review the changes and be sure to give the USGA your feedback using the "landing" page for your comments and remarks.

For a summary of the major proposed changes to the New Rules of Golf for 2019, click this link:

http://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/2017/rules-modernization/major-proposed-changes-chart.pdf

To view major proposed changes with video interpretations of each:

http://www.usga.org/rules-hub/rules-modernization/text/major-proposed-changes.html

To offer feedback to the USGA on its proposed changes:

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/feedback-landing-page.html

To view a draft of the proposed Player's Edition of the Rules of Golf:

http://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/2017/rules-modernization/players-edition.pdf