*** Out of Bounds or a lost ball. Instead of stroke and distance, the new rule allows you the option of dropping a ball in the vicinity of where the original ball is lost or went out of bounds, with a two-stroke penalty. Basically, if you blow your first drive out of bounds or into the woods, you no longer have to hit your third shot from the tee box. Instead, you can play your fourth from the fairway. Same scenario applies if you hit your second shot from a fairway and it went out of bounds or into the woods, you would hit your FIFTH shot from an area where your shot wen OB or into the woods. You still have the option of replaying your next stroke from the spot where you original shot went astray under penalty of 1 stroke and distance. This new rule was implemented to help with pace of pace.

*** The height of dropping a ball: the new rule simulates drop to be taken from knee height, still a significant change from the current shoulder level.

*** There’s no longer a penalty for a double-chip.

*** Club-length, not inches, will be the measurement for relief.

*** No more penalties for accidentally moving a ball on the green. You are still penalized, however, if it is “virtually certain” you caused the ball to move on purpose.

*** You can putt with the flagstick in the hole, you can go at it without having it removed at all.

*** You can repair all spike marks on the green.

Another penalty removed: touching the like of the putt.

You can now move impediments in bunkers and water hazards.

There’s also no penalty for touching the ground or water in penalty area. In the sand, however, you cannot ground the club right NEXT to the ball. However, if you’re “generally” touching the sand with the club, that’s OK.

*** An extra relief option has been added for an unplayable ball in a bunker. You can play the ball to be outside the sand with a two-stroke penalty. A player is given “reasonable judgement” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance. Your placement will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it wasn’t in the exact right spot.

*** A player is given “reasonable judgement” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance. Your placement will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it wasn’t in the exact right spot.

*** You also are no longer required o announce when you are lifting a ball to identify or see if it’s damaged.

*** You’re no allowed five minutes to look for a lost ball. Your search party now has THREE minutes.

*** A player can take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke.