After almost two years since their implementation on January 1, 2019, we can safely say that the 2019 Rules of Golf and the players coexist in perfect harmony, with all of us being used to playing with them and applying them.
Actions that were shocking and striking in their beginnings, such as not incurring a penalty for accidentally moving the ball on the green, accidentally moving the ball during its search, sinking the ball with the flagstick in the hole, repairing damage on the green, being able to remove loose impediments, such as leaves, stones, twigs, etc., from both bunkers and penalty areas – a concept that came to replace the disappeared water hazards – or not being penalized for resting the club in the penalty areas, and even being able to make practice swings within them, are common knowledge.
Indeed, we have embraced the Rules of Golf implemented on January 1, 2019 with complete ease and apply them daily in our golf games.
Changes in procedures, such as the new way of dropping a ball, the ability to replace the ball we are using each time we drop, the reduction of the time allowed for searching for a ball from 5 to 3 minutes, or considering a ball holed when the ball rests against the flagstick and some part of it is below the surface of the green, are now considered suitable, logical, and accepted by all as changes that were necessary to carry out for the benefit of golf.
Beginning of the voyage
The RFEG's Technical Rules Committee (CTR) has come a long way since the first steps were taken with the 2019 Rules of Golf back in 2016. To prepare for this long journey, various meetings were held in all areas, especially with the R&A Rules Committee.
The main objective of undertaking this project was, firstly, to contribute to the final draft of the new Rules by the joint R&A and USGA Rules Committee through proposals, corrections, and clarifications. Secondly, it involved designing a comprehensive plan for disseminating, explaining, and teaching these Rules at all levels.
To achieve these objectives, the entire RFEG Rules Technical Committee immediately began working on translation, planning actions aimed at general dissemination, and, especially, on the retraining of active referees. The plan encompassed all types of referees, both national and regional. The latter were at the request of the various Regional Federations.
A personalized teaching level for each player level and category
When the Rules Technical Committee undertook the difficult and immense task of disseminating the new Rules, it believed that the most effective way to teach them was through the development of a specific plan, adapted to different levels. These levels, moreover, had to be tailored to the corresponding level of player or team, where the needs are clearly different.
Based on the above, three levels of instruction for the Rules were developed. These levels aimed to address the needs of players and teams in a more personalized way, adapting the content to the learning objectives of each player or team and placing special emphasis on individualized programs.
Ultimately, the aim was to design teaching parameters that, taking into account their needs, would lead to knowledge and understanding of the Rules, so that their application on the course during play would be done naturally, reducing possible infractions and increasing the pleasure of playing a round of golf.
Three levels of personalized teaching
Level 1
It was a level designed and intended for teaching the Rules to clubs and players. It is worth noting that one of the new features of the 2019 edition of the Rules of Golf was the publication of a rulebook written with a direct focus on the player, entitled “Rules of Golf – Player’s Book.” This publication has been distributed to golfers worldwide.
It is important to note that this "Player's Book" is not a quick guide to the Rules of Golf, but rather an abridged version of the Complete Rules Edition. It focuses on the rules most relevant to the player during play. This includes the rules that describe the essential characteristics of golf.
For example, playing according to the rules and in the spirit of the game, the different parts of the field and the equipment you can use, as well as the most commonly used Rules. Also noteworthy is the inclusion of diagrams and tables to help explain them more concisely.
Level 2
This level was created and directed specifically for the training of referees, both national and regional. The book "Rules of Golf – Complete Edition," the reference book at this level of instruction, includes all the answers to problems that arise in the game, comprehensive answers for any golf course and for players of all abilities.
Level 3
To assist referees, competition committees, and other bodies or groups seeking more details, an Official Guide was published containing interpretations of the Rules of Golf, as well as Committee Procedures, with recommendations on how to organize the game in general and competitions.
Other available documentation
Among the numerous supplementary documents issued by the Rules Technical Committee, related to the dissemination and teaching plan for the 2019 Rules of Golf, are:
. Rulebook – Player's Edition.
. Rulebook – Complete Edition.
. Rules of Golf – Official Guide.
. App RdG 2019: Development and implementation in direct collaboration with the R&A of an app in Spanish for all Spanish-speaking nations.
. Statute of the Amateur Golf Player and his Decisions.
. Amendment to the Rules for Disabled Players.
. Quick Guide to the Rules.
. Cardboard reminder of the most important changes.
. Key Changes Report: An explanatory booklet about the Rules changes that may affect players participating in the various tours, as well as instructors, for educational distribution. Sent to all competitive golf professionals, as well as those involved in teaching or other occupations.
. I Know the Rules: A publication aimed at our little ones, with drawings and graphics that are easier to understand and assimilate.
Dissemination activities
Apart from the publications and documents mentioned above, a series of outreach activities have been carried out. These include:
. Videos about the new Rules: Up to a total of 25 that provide a greater understanding of the changes in the Rules.
. Presentations of Rules at Team Gatherings: For both federated teams and schools and universities.
. Presentation of Rules for Clubs: For roundtables and conferences. Courses are also available upon request.
. Presentation of Committee Procedures: For Federations and Clubs.
. Informative posters and explanatory videos: For publication in the media and at relevant points of interest. This material was also sent to the Regional Federations for their review and editing.
With our sights set on 2021
Currently, the Rules Technical Committee is in direct contact with the main European professional golf tours, both men's and women's – European Tour and Ladies European Tour – to develop the Permanent Local Rules, in the amateur or professional field, which will be in force from January 1, 2021.
Pablo Chaves, president of the RFEG Rules Technical Committee, has repeatedly defined the RFEG CTR as a service committee and, as such, with the obligation to provide the best possible service.
Not only in the major professional tournaments held in our country and sponsored by the RFEG, but also in the traditional social tournaments where the presence of referees is required, their preferred motto being: "We have the obligation that all players know and play according to the rules of golf and our mission is to make it easier for them.".
The RFEG Rules Technical Committee, which produced this enormous amount of work, is composed of:
President: Pablo Chaves Puch
Members: Luis Fernández-Conde Sancho, Carmelo Castillo Gañán, Diego Molina Peso, Miguel Ángel García González, Xavier Burjachs Aladrén, Ramón Bastida Tejeiro, Alfredo Martínez Ruiz and Vicente Juan Olmos Blázquez
Administrative Assistant: Marcos Lefort Sánchez de la Mata
IMPORTANT NOTE
Access all documentation related to the 2019 Rules of Golf below, in the Related Links section.
