ABOUT THE WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM

The vision to unify the six different handicap systems in use around the world into a single World Handicap System required the commitment of, and collaboration between, many organizations. All of the following organizations have provided their support to this important initiative and played their part in establishing the key principles, which shaped the proposals and drove forward the initiative to the point where a new World Handicap System can be introduced to the golfing world in 2020.

In January 2020, the new Rules of Handicapping has been introduced in Canada and will be ready for play, in Saskatchewan on April 15.

 #1. If you are a new player, it is easier to establish an Index
Only three 18-hole scores (or the equivalent combination of nine-hole scores) are needed to establish a Handicap Index. Previously, the minimum was five. What golfer doesn’t play more than 54 holes in a season? Also, your Handicap Index is updated automatically once the score is submitted (although not new for Canada, it is for the rest of the world). Learn more 1a. >>  | Learn More 1b. >>

 #2. Handicap Index calculation is changing
Your number will be based off your eight best scores out of the past 20. For most golfers, the change will be minor, but you may see your Handicap Index is different in January, despite not having played! Learn more 2. >>   

#3. You have a Playing Handicap
Slope Rating and now Course Rating and Par will be used to determine your Course Handicap, allowing you to play from different sets of tees without any adjustment. Learn more 3. >>

#4. Net Double Bogey replaces Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)
The maximum hole score for handicap purposes will be limited to Net Double Bogey (Par + 2 + any handicap strokes you receive). Learn more 4.>>

#5. Safeguards have been added to protect your Handicap Index.
The system accounts for abnormal playing conditions, limiting the extreme upward movement of a Handicap Index, and reduce a Handicap Index when an exceptional score is posted.

#6. Maximum Handicap Index
The maximum Handicap Index that can be issued to a player is 54.0 (currently it is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women). But the Committee in charge of a competition may set a maximum limit for entry into a competition. Learn more 6.>>

#7. You need to know your Course Handicap
Course Handicap will be the number of strokes needed to play to par. This will result in greater variance in that number and presents a change, as historically it has represented the number of strokes needed to play to the Course Rating. It is important that an accurate par be established for each hole on a golf course for both men and women. Golf Saskatchewan, in consultation with Golf Canada, will be the final adjudicator of par.

To ensure your golf club’s handicap committee and members are ready to enter your scores under the new World Handicap System, Golf Canada/Saskatchewan will be providing several educational tools and resources including an opportunity to attend both online and in-person seminars. Please stay tuned for upcoming seminar dates, times and locations which will be posted on our website and social media platforms.

For more information on the World Handicap System, please visit http://golfsaskatchewan.org/volunteers/#handicapping-system 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) has finalized their 2020 schedule that includes six stops in Saskatchewan.

The first MJT event in the province will occur on May 2 and 3 in Estevan at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club. Deer Valley Golf & Estates, just north of Regina will play host to the second tournament on May 17 and 18.

The MJT schedule takes the tour to Swift Current’s Elmwood Golf Club on June 27 and 28. The event will be a god primer for the junior provincial championships, also slated for the Elmwood in July.

Tor Hill Golf Course in Regina is excited to welcome back the MJT, they will host a 36-hole event on July 6 and 7.

The PGA of Canada Saskatchewan Zone Junior Championship is slated for July 20 and 21 at the Dakota Dunes Golf Links outside Saskatoon. The last Saskatchewan MJT event is at the Legends Golf Club in Warman on Aug. 22 and 23.

The MJT schedule wraps up with their National Championship from Nov. 12 – 15 in Phoenix, Arizona.

All the MJT events in Saskatchewan will be part of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit Tour (OMT), Golf Saskatchewan is finalizing the OMT schedule and will release at a later date.

Most facilities linked to a golf course in Saskatchewan are quiet this time of year, however the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Centre is one of the anomalies.

The 52-year-old building is the food and beverage centre for the Cooke Municipal Golf Course, but the facility houses a busy 10 sheet curling rink keeping the Rock & Iron Sports Bar rolling and swinging all year. The restaurant has recently been upgraded from top to bottom. Manager Matt Sawatzky said it was time to put funding back into the food and beverage department.

“We were definitely in need of some upgrades,” he said. “We had wobbling tables and worn out chairs and all that sort of stuff. We had a really great year, so we decided to make sure we invested the money back into the facility to make our membership and patrons experience a little better.”

Sawatzky said they renovated from the floor to the ceiling. They gutted the bar and redid that, updated the lighting, the ceiling is upgraded, and repainted the restaurant. The Rock and Iron also has a new sound system and televisions spread around the bar. Sawatzky said the members and visitors that have seen the upgrades are very pleased with what has been done.

“With the history of our club, all of our members are really happy to see the business doing well enough that we can afford to do these upgrades. The history of the club hasn’t always been as sustainable as it is now. The membership, especially the long-time membership is super happy to see we are standing on our own two feet and we can make these upgrades to make our members experience a little better,” he explained.

The Cooke Municipal Golf Course recently underwent a $2.4 million on-course upgrade putting the club near the top of the province. Coupled with the most recent upgrades the future is bright. Golf Saskatchewan will be holding their 101^st Senior Men’s Championship and 57^th Senior Women’s Championship at the Cooke in late July. Sawatzky said the club is looking forward to bringing a provincial championship back to the city of Prince Albert.

“We’re looking forward to hosting golfers from all over the province so they can come see what P.A. is all about,” he beamed. “We think it’s the place to be now, we have a great course and now a great facility to welcome people before and after.”

The World Handicap System will ensure handicaps are calculated consistently around the world.

Click here for more information.

Welcome to Golf Handicaps for Dummies: Why having a handicap is not a handicap.

No, I’m not calling you a dummy, but if you’re a golfer of any ability who doesn’t maintain an accurate and consistent handicap, you’re not taking advantage of one of the fundamentals that makes golf the most democratic of sports. And that’s just dumb.

With all due respect, you can’t go one-on-one with a pro basketball player or hope to score on an NHL goalie. They’re not going to let you shoot at a basket that’s lower than regulation or a net that’s 10 feet wide and six feet high.

But golf’s handicap system allows you to compete on an equitable basis with players who are more or less accomplished than you are. Maintaining a handicap also allows you to monitor your progress every time you play. It’s an integral part of your golf experience.

And, starting Jan. 8, the new World Handicap System makes that scenario even more attractive. More user-friendly, in other words.

“The new system gives golfers an increased opportunity to have fun and compete equitably across all skill levels and ages,” says Shaun Hall, Golf Canada’s senior manager of handicap & course rating.

“You don’t have to be a competitive golfer. If you simply enjoy playing, having a handicap makes the game more enjoyable and allows you to track whether you’re improving.”

I reached out on Twitter with the question, “Do you maintain a handicap and why?”  and received some testimonials.

Ontario golfer Donal Byrne says, “I’m a huge fan of keeping a handicap. I was thrilled to have closed the season inside of 20 [Handicap Index] for the first time. We should celebrate everyone who plays, no matter how they play. I just won’t play anyone who doesn’t have a handicap for money!”

And from Charlottetown, Jeff Craig, whose Twitter profile says he’s “dedicated in my quest to break par,” says, “It bugs the Hell out of me when someone [without a handicap] says, ‘Well, I usually shoot in the mid-80s and wants to play for something.’”

On a personal note, my wife loves the game and posts every score. Her pride in seeing her handicap decrease is evident. Because she is diligent about maintaining her handicap and improving her skills, she was able to win the ladies’ net championship at her club. As a side note, she plays annually in a member-guest at another club where you must have an official Golf Canada Handicap Index to participate.

When she first took up golf, she had waffled about establishing a handicap because, in her words, “I don’t think I’m good enough to have a handicap.”

And that’s the most common excuse recreational golfers give for not caring about a handicap. “I’m not good enough.” Hall disputes that, especially given the fact that under the new system the maximum Handicap Index (which replaces the previous “Handicap Factor” in Canada) has been raised to 54.0 for both men and women. Previously, it was 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.

Another significant change is to Equitable Stroke Control (ESC). Starting in 2020, net double bogey on any hole is the maximum allowed, whether it’s a par 3, par 4 or par 5. So, for handicap purposes, you can count a maximum of two strokes over par plus any strokes you are entitled to, based on the stroke allowance for that hole.

Obviously, from its name, the World Handicap System is now accepted globally, meaning the same parameters are in place no matter where you play, a boon for Canadians who travel and golf outside the country. As before, all scores can be conveniently posted on the Golf Canada Score Centre, club kiosk or Golf Canada app from your phone or tablet.

3 more significant innovations

1. Only three 18-hole scores (or the equivalent combination of nine-hole scores) are needed to establish a Handicap Index. Previously, the minimum was five. What golfer doesn’t play more than 54 holes in a season?
2. Only eight of your lowest 20 most recent scores will be used to calculate your Handicap Index, rather than the previous 10.
3. And a Playing Conditions Calculation will analyze how you played that day compared to your expected performance on that particular course, taking into account weather and course setup.

Don’t ask me how that last one works, because I’m a tech dummy.

If you want to delve deeper into the mechanics and details of the new World Handicap System, click here.

But even if you don’t, don’t be a dummy. Take advantage of the new World Handicap System in 2020.

Regina’s Paul Schatz has done an impressive job of revitalizing junior golf in Regina and the PGA of Canada is awarding him for his efforts.

Schatz, 31, got his start in golf at the Tor Hill and Murray Golf Courses just outside Regina when he was about seven years old. He would also play at the Lakeview Par-3 and Sherwood Forest courses with his family, but the Western Golf Management operated courses of Murray and Tor Hill have been Schatz’s second home for over two decades. He got his first membership at the clubs when he was about 10, started working at the Murray when he was 14 and stayed there until five years ago.

Schatz took the position of head professional at Long Creek in Avonlea and spent fours years there, that’s where his passion for junior golf and growing the game took off. The town about 30 minutes south of Regina had two junior members when he arrived, after four years the club had about 30. He started a weekly league and lessons gaining the attention of about 40 local kids.

Schatz was enticed back to Tor Hill when long-time pro Scott Knapp retired, Kevin Dietz brought Schatz back into the fold and now Regina’s junior golf scene is up-and-coming. Upon returning to the Queen City, Schatz reached out to Lois Herridge, the wife of the late golf pro Brad Herridge, using her role as superintendent of the Regina School Board to get golf into schools. Schatz purchased $5,000 of Starting New At Golf (SNAG) equipment, launched Regina Junior Golf Incorporated and has been increasing junior numbers across Regina ever since.

“There wasn’t much going on in the city with junior golf and it was a place for me to make a living,” he told Golf Saskatchewan about why he gives back. “It’s a lot easier to make a living when you enjoy teaching kids. Whether it’s golf or school, or whatever, when you see a kid or even an adult accomplish something that they’ve been working hard at, the joy on their face, you don’t get that from working in the proshop. I’d much rather make my living teaching junior lessons than running budgets behind a proshop desk, it’s much more enjoyable.”

Schatz has worked with five different Regina schools, with the assistance from four other local pros in bringing family golf in school nights. Some events have had upwards of 150 attendees working with the SNAG equipment. The event works with kids on putting, chipping, full swings, fitness, and proshop etiquette. He also holds learn to golf clinics at courses across Regina in the spring with almost 100 kids taking part this past year. Schatz also had a one-night a week junior league at Tor Hill where the kids got a meal in the clubhouse before playing a round of golf which assisted in focusing on the social aspect of the game. His work was recognized by the PGA of Saskatchewan where he was honoured with the Junior Leader of the Year award and Bill Taylor Award recognizing sportsmanship.

“The Bill Taylor trophy was a mass vote by our peers which to me was huge honour,” Schatz said. “You don’t get chosen by your peers very often in a lifetime. Looking at the names on that one, it’s kind of everyone who has helped me in my golf career.”

Schatz’s provincial honours in 2019 propelled him to be nominated for the Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year Award which he won. He was nominated against pros from seven other provinces. Schatz was announced the winner via Facebook live on Dec. 12. He said winning on a Canada wide level was a great feeling both personally and his Saskatchewan peers.

“For me it was super cool and awesome,” he said. “I don’t know what the people I was nominated against did personally so I can’t speak for their programs, but it shows programs in Saskatchewan can compete nationally. Amanda (Minchin) has won the award before, Jeff (Chambers) has won the award before. There is good things that come out of Saskatchewan and it makes me proud to be a part of the zone and the community here.”

Schatz has also done some work with the Gabriel Dumont Institute in Regina focusing on First Nations programming where he taught physical education to the students and teachers at the facility. He’s also excited to announce the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour will make a stop at Tor Hill for an event in 2020 as well.

Coming from a giving family (Schatz’s mom was a registered nurse for 25 years and now works at Tor Hill, his father is a long time member of the Knights of Columbus, plus they operate a fun hockey league in Regina for kids five and under that has grown to 32 teams from six under his parent’s guidance) Schatz credits much of his success to his upbringing. He insists that he couldn’t have received this recognition without plenty of help along the way.

“As much as I did a lot it was a whole bunch of people helping me. The other golf pros with guidance, from Amanda, to Jeff, Jason Schneider, Evan Lang, Brad Lovatt, Sam Willis, my competitors on the course and in business all came out to help something we believed in. That’s something you don’t see anywhere else. I also want to thank my volunteers and my sponsors, it’s a team effort,” Schatz said.

The man known among his peers as “Booger” termed years ago by 2019 Sask. PGA Head Professional of the Year, Gus Vogalsang, will receive his award at the PGA Buying Show in Orlando, Florida in January.

Welcome to Golf Handicaps for Dummies: Why having a handicap is not a handicap.

No, I’m not calling you a dummy, but if you’re a golfer of any ability who doesn’t maintain an accurate and consistent handicap, you’re not taking advantage of one of the fundamentals that makes golf the most democratic of sports. And that’s just dumb.

With all due respect, you can’t go one-on-one with a pro basketball player or hope to score on an NHL goalie. They’re not going to let you shoot at a basket that’s lower than regulation or a net that’s 10 feet wide and six feet high.

But golf’s handicap system allows you to compete on an equitable basis with players who are more or less accomplished than you are. Maintaining a handicap also allows you to monitor your progress every time you play. It’s an integral part of your golf experience.

And, starting Jan. 8, the new World Handicap System makes that scenario even more attractive. More user-friendly, in other words.

“The new system gives golfers an increased opportunity to have fun and compete equitably across all skill levels and ages,” says Shaun Hall, Golf Canada’s senior manager of handicap & course rating.

“You don’t have to be a competitive golfer. If you simply enjoy playing, having a handicap makes the game more enjoyable and allows you to track whether you’re improving.”

I reached out on Twitter with the question, “Do you maintain a handicap and why?”  and received some testimonials.

Ontario golfer Donal Byrne says, “I’m a huge fan of keeping a handicap. I was thrilled to have closed the season inside of 20 [Handicap Index] for the first time. We should celebrate everyone who plays, no matter how they play. I just won’t play anyone who doesn’t have a handicap for money!”

And from Charlottetown, Jeff Craig, whose Twitter profile says he’s “dedicated in my quest to break par,” says, “It bugs the Hell out of me when someone [without a handicap] says, ‘Well, I usually shoot in the mid-80s and wants to play for something.’”

On a personal note, my wife loves the game and posts every score. Her pride in seeing her handicap decrease is evident. Because she is diligent about maintaining her handicap and improving her skills, she was able to win the ladies’ net championship at her club. As a side note, she plays annually in a member-guest at another club where you must have an official Golf Canada Handicap Index to participate.

When she first took up golf, she had waffled about establishing a handicap because, in her words, “I don’t think I’m good enough to have a handicap.”

And that’s the most common excuse recreational golfers give for not caring about a handicap. “I’m not good enough.” Hall disputes that, especially given the fact that under the new system the maximum Handicap Index (which replaces the previous “Handicap Factor” in Canada) has been raised to 54.0 for both men and women. Previously, it was 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.

Another significant change is to Equitable Stroke Control (ESC). Starting in 2020, net double bogey on any hole is the maximum allowed, whether it’s a par 3, par 4 or par 5. So, for handicap purposes, you can count a maximum of two strokes over par plus any strokes you are entitled to, based on the stroke allowance for that hole.

Obviously, from its name, the World Handicap System is now accepted globally, meaning the same parameters are in place no matter where you play, a boon for Canadians who travel and golf outside the country. As before, all scores can be conveniently posted on the Golf Canada Score Centre, club kiosk or Golf Canada app from your phone or tablet.

3 more significant innovations

1. Only three 18-hole scores (or the equivalent combination of nine-hole scores) are needed to establish a Handicap Index. Previously, the minimum was five. What golfer doesn’t play fewer than 54 holes in a season?
2. Only eight of your lowest 20 most recent scores will be used to calculate your Handicap Index, rather than the previous 10.
3. And a Playing Conditions Calculation will analyze how you played that day compared to your expected performance on that particular course, taking into account weather and course setup.

Don’t ask me how that last one works, because I’m a tech dummy.

If you want to delve deeper into the mechanics and details of the new World Handicap System, click here.

But even if you don’t, don’t be a dummy. Take advantage of the new World Handicap System in 2020.

Through the efforts of over 10,000 women, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru raised over $380k for breast cancer research in 2019 at 175 events held across the country.

Since the program’s inception in 2003, upwards of 130,000 women have raised over $6.8 million to date with all proceeds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation.

Over 100 women celebrated this year’s success at the 16th annual Golf Fore the Cure National Event at Credit Valley Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont.

The National Event included 18 holes of golf featuring raffles, prizing, and games, followed by an awards dinner to thank the 13,000 Golf Fore the Cure participants across Canada this year.

“Golf Canada is very proud to celebrate the growth of women’s golf in Canada with over 10,000 women leading the charge from coast-to-coast,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer.

“The remarkable efforts from volunteers, site coordinators, and our partners at Subaru, the Canadian Cancer Society and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation continue to be a driving force behind the achievements of Golf Fore the Cure. We’re excited for the next season and hope we can accomplish raising over $7 million for breast cancer research.”

Top 20 fundraising sites in 2019

We would also like to thank our Provincial Golf Associations for their continued support in encouraging clubs to participate in Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru. Below is a breakdown of all the funds raised by province:

To view photos from this year’s Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru season please click here.

Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru was created in 2003 by Golf Canada to drive women’s participation in the game of golf through the use of fun, non-intimidating activities. Through a unique partnership structure with the Canadian Cancer Society (and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation), the program has women across the country participating in golf activities and raising money and awareness for a cause close to Canadian hearts—the fight against breast cancer.

Canada holds over 37,000 charity events at golf courses across the country which raise approximately $533 million annually for charity.

Subaru Canada has been a proud partner of Golf Fore the Cure since 2007.

To learn how to get involved with Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru, visit golfcanada.ca/golfforethecure

MELBOURNE, Australia – Tiger Woods lightly pumped his fist with another birdie. He raised his hands over his head in applause to salute a brilliant play by Justin Thomas that led to another hole won. He thoroughly enjoyed his return to competition in the Presidents Cup.

His match won, Woods took the radio and inserted the ear piece as he resumed his role as U.S. captain.

And there was little else to cheer.

Ernie Els and his inspired International team won the day, and won it big.

Els got solid performances from Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen and remarkable play from his rookies that led to a 4-1 lead after the opening session of fourballs Thursday.

“I didn’t envision 4-1, no,” Els said.

It was the first time the International team won the opening session since 2005, which also was the last time it led after any session in an event the Americans have won 10 out of 12 times, including the last seven in a row.

Woods assembled the strongest U.S. team ever for the Presidents based on the world ranking. The first playing captain in 25 years, he inserted himself in the first match and made six birdies, the most of anyone at Royal Melbourne.

When it was over, the U.S. team found itself in foreign territory – trailing for the first time in 14 years.

“We have to earn this cup,” Woods said, perhaps a reminder that history means little inside the ropes. “Just because we lost the session doesn’t mean the Cup’s over. There’s a long way to go, a lot of points available. The guys will regroup, and we’ll come out tomorrow ready to go.”

That was a message Els preached to his team after a dynamic performance.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Mood. #PresidentsCup

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Dec 12, 2019 at 7:10am PST

Scott overcame a snap hook on the opening hole to make five birdies as he and Byeong Hun An – the replacement for Jason Day – won in 17 holes. Hideki Matsuyama holed a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole that carried the Japanese star and C.T. Pan to a 1-up victory over Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson.

Oosthuizen and Abraham Ancer, the Mexican rookie who has received praise all week for his fire and confidence, opened with five straight birdies in a crushing defeat over the American power duo of Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland.

But it was just a start.

“Keep the jets down,” Els said. “There’s a long way to go. Don’t get too excited. This is a strong team, and they’re going to come back strong.”

Woods was so strong that he decided to play again in Friday foursomes, again paired with Thomas. Woods kept two other teams together – Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, and Reed and Simpson – even though both lost.

Els is sending out five new partnerships, sticking to a plan that so far is working quite well.

“He had a system going in. We are his soldiers, so we follow his instruction, and that’s what we did today,” C.T. Pan said. “And it works great.”

Woods showed off an exquisite short game, building a 2-up lead after two holes with pitch-and-run shots that set up easy birdies. He chipped in for birdie on the par-5 fifth, and closed out the match with an 8-foot birdie on the par-3 14th and a 5-footer on the next hole, his sixth birdie in the 15 holes he and Thomas needed to beat Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann.

Asked what worked well in their first time playing together, Thomas replied, “Tiger was working well.”

Little else did for the Americans, but that was more a product of great play by the International team that Els assembled to try to win the Presidents Cup for the first time since 1998, its only victory.

The International team walked off the course with arms around shoulders, a most happy occasion after having lost seven in a row since the tie in South Africa in 2003.

The middle three matches is where the International team seized control in the opening session. Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im won the 16th hole with a par, and Schauffele and Cantlay didn’t have good birdie looks over the final two holes to lose.

“We have a good team. We know we have a good team,” said Hadwin. “It’s about us going out and executing golf shots, and our goal was to get them down early, get the crowd into it and on our side and hopefully carry some momentum these next three days.”

The biggest of Scott’s five birdies was a 12-footer to halve the 14th and protect a 2-up lead that led to victory on the 17th hole over Tony Finau and Bryson DeChambeau, now winless in first four matches in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

The last chance for the Americans to at least get a half-point came in the last match on the course. Reed, who heard his share of needling from the crowd over his rules violation in the sand last week in the Bahamas, made a 12-foot birdie putt to square the match on the 16th, only for Matsuyama to deliver his big putt on the next hole.

Reed’s 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th to halve the match stayed above the hole.

Perhaps typical of the Americans’ day was when Johnson, playing for the first time since Aug. 25 because of knee surgery, smashed driver on the 330-yard 11th hole to just inside 4 feet. He missed the eagle putt, Ancer made a 12-foot birdie to keep the 3-up lead and the American team never got any closer.

It was only the fourth time the International team has led after the opening session, and it was their largest margin after one day.

“This is the start we needed,” Scott said. “We’ve got to try to keep this lead now as long as possible, and hopefully the week runs out.”

Patrick Reed was at the center of a rules fiasco at the Hero World Challenge Friday after moving sand from behind his ball twice while playing the par-5 11th hole at Albany.

While preparing for a shot from a waste bunker right of the fairway, Reed took his club back from his ball during multiple practice swings and moved sand from directly behind his ball twice. His ball sat in the middle of a depression, likely a footprint in the sand.

The new rules introduced in January does not allow players to ground their clubs in bunkers, so while Reed moved sand behind his ball, he was improving his line of play, according to Tour rules official Slugger White. Under Rule 8.1a (4), players are not to remove or press down loose sand or soil. After doing so, Reed was assessed a General Penalty, which is two strokes. You can see Reed’s actions below.

https://www.golf.com/news/2019/12/06/patrick-reed-ruling-moving-sand-in-bunker/

8.1 Player’s Actions That Improve Conditions Affecting the Stroke

To support the principle of “play the course as you find it,” this Rule restricts what a player may do to improve any of these protected “conditions affecting the stroke ” (anywhere on or off the course) for the next stroke the player will make:

• The lie of the player’s ball at rest,
• The area of the player’s intended stance,
• The area of the player’s intended swing,
• The player’s line of play, and
• The relief area where the player will drop or place a ball.

This Rule applies to actions taken both during a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a.

It does not apply to:

• The removal of loose impediments or movable obstructions, which is allowed to the extent provided in Rule 15, or
• An action taken while a player’s ball is in motion, which is covered by Rule 11.

a. Actions That Are Not Allowed

Except in the limited ways allowed in Rules 8.1b, c and d, a player must not take any of these actions if they improve the conditions affecting the stroke:

(1) Move, bend or break any:

• Growing or attached natural object,
• Immovable obstruction, integral object or boundary object, or
• Tee-marker for the teeing area when playing a ball from that teeing area.

(2) Move a loose impediment or movable obstruction into position (such as to build a stance or to improve the line of play).

(3) Alter the surface of the ground, including by:

• Replacing divots in a divot hole,
• Removing or pressing down divots that have already been replaced or other cut turf that is already in place, or
• Creating or eliminating holes, indentations or uneven surfaces.

(4) Remove or press down sand or loose soil.

(5) Remove dew, frost or water.

Penalty for Breach of Rule 8.1a: General Penalty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OTHER: To this point but different.

Bunkers – Touching Sand in Bunker with Club

QUESTION: May I touch the sand with my club when my ball is in a bunker?

ANSWER: Touching the sand with your club immediately in front of or behind your ball, during a practice swing or during your backswing is a penalty (see Rule 12.2b(1)). If you do this, you get a loss of hole penalty in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. Other touching of the sand in a bunker is generally ok, as long as you are not deliberately testing the condition of the sand.

12.2 Playing Ball in Bunker

This Rule applies both during a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a.

a. Removing Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions

Before playing a ball in a bunker, a player may remove loose impediments under Rule 15.1 and movable obstructions under Rule 15.2.

This includes any reasonable touching or movement of the sand in the bunker that happens while doing so.

b. Restrictions on Touching Sand in Bunker

(1) When Touching Sand Results in Penalty. Before making a stroke at a ball in a bunker, a player must not:

• Deliberately touch sand in the bunker with a hand, club, rake or other object to test the condition of the sand to learn information for the next stroke, or
• Touch sand in the bunker with a club:
  • In the area right in front of or right behind the ball (except as allowed under Rule 7.1a in fairly searching for a ball or under Rule 12.2a in removing a loose impediment or movable obstruction),
  • In making a practice swing, or
  • In making the backswing for a stroke.

The Reed incident occurred ahead of this year’s President’s Cup in Australia, that didn’t stop Justin Thomas from having some fun. Remember, the Rules matter but there can still be a lighter side of golf.

Justin Thomas, dragging his club in the bunker: “P Reed, is this right?” pic.twitter.com/utHP3AL8TU

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) December 10, 2019