Next year starts another rules cycle. Every four years, the USGA and R&A get together to iron out changes to the rules and to the decisions on the rules. New changes will be in effect on January 1, 2008. You can access documents comparing the 2008 changes to the rules and decisions against the current rules and decisions here. There aren’t any significant changes this cycle. Yes, out of bounds is still stroke and distance. Most changes are simply revisions to clarify and strengthen wording. Here are some highlights: Distance is explicitly listed as information not constituting “advice”. Under rule 12-1, there is now no penalty if a ball that is in or on an obstruction is moved during search. Previously, this only covered abnormal ground conditions. It is now permissible for a player under rule 14-3 to use artificial devices or unusual equipment or equipment in an unusual manner, provided it is medically necessary and the Committee decides that it does not give an unfair advantage over other players. Allowing no penalty for making

I’m a law and order guy. I follow and respect the Rules of Golf. Honestly though, is there anyone out there that wouldn’t make some serious changes? I’m not talking about changing the fundamentals of the game. I’m talking about a little face lift that would make the rules easier to understand and apply, and that would make the game more fun and maybe even quicker to play. Here are my suggestions: Have Competitors Record Their Own Scores This month’s issue of Golf Digest featured Boo Weekly in the My Turn segment and that sparked this entire post. He discussed the incident where he accidentally recorded the wrong score on a hole for Sergio Garcia. Garcia signed the card with the wrong score and was disqualified. He also mentioned that he did it again to Garcia during another tournament, but that time it was caught and corrected. The most famous incident of this kind happened to Roberto DeVicenzo in the 1968 Masters. His fellow competitor, Tommy Aaron, accidentally recorded his score for the 17th hole

It’s bound to happen sooner or later, whether in a competitive tournament or in a weekend match that’s taken a little too seriously. Eventually something is going to happen where the rules are not clear. Sometimes a player feels he is entitled to relief but is not entirely certain. Never fear! The Rules are here to help. Rule 3-3 provides guidance when there is a doubt as to procedure. The rule states that if a player is in doubt as to procedure, he may complete the hole with two balls, without penalty. He must notify his fellow competitor (or marker) that he wishes to play two balls, and which he will count if the Rules permit. The player must present the facts to the Committee prior to turning in his scorecard so that a determination can be made. Probably the most famous occurrence of Rule 3-3 happened in the 1958 Masters to Arnold Palmer. On the 12th hole, Palmer sought relief for an embedded ball. The on-site rules official declined. Palmer then announced that he