Golf’s new Rules have been published by the The R&A and USGA in partnership with Golf Canada ahead of their effective date on Jan. 1, 2019.

For the first time, a new Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf is being introduced to provide a shorter, more user-friendly version of the Rules for golfers at all levels of the game. This version, which will serve as the primary publication for all golfers, features:

• A more intuitive organization with 10 simplified topical groupings
• A “Purpose of the Rule” description at the top of each Rule, to better define why the Rule exists
• Easy-to-follow, full-colour diagrams and charts to aid in understanding
• A simpler, more direct writing style

The Player’s Edition is being launched alongside the modernized full Rules of Golf book, which includes some of the most significant changes made to the Rules in more than 60 years.

Adam Helmer, director of Rules, competitions and amateur status at Golf Canada said, “We are embarking on one of the most significant changes to the Rules of golf in the history of our sport. Today marks the start of the education process to communicate the modernized Rules with additional resources and publications available to all golfers, member facilities and referees in Canada and worldwide.”

Thomas Pagel, senior managing director, Governance for the USGA, said, “From the project’s inception, our one goal was to make the Rules easier to understand and apply for all golfers. It sets a new standard in the way we write and interpret the Rules and is central to our efforts to ensure a healthy future for golf. We look forward to continuing that process in the years to come.”

David Rickman, executive director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We are delighted to be rolling out the modernized Rules of Golf today. This is the biggest set of changes to the Rules in a generation and a major step forward in our efforts to make the Rules, and the sport itself, more accessible and more in tune with the way the modern sport is played.”

A new Official Guide to the Rules of Golf is also available in digital format and official apps today, with a printed version to be released in November. Designed for golf administrators and club officials, the Guide features Interpretations on specific Rules (which replace the current Decisions) and includes the first jointly-produced Committee Procedures document, providing practical guidance to Committees for running competitions and overseeing general play.

Another key feature is the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities. This document is released alongside the Rules of Golf and enables players with disabilities to play fairly with other players with the same or different types of disability and, importantly, with those without disabilities. The Modified Rules were developed in close consultation with the community of players with disabilities and disability organizations.

All of the new books are available in digital formats online and a range of explanatory videos and resources is available on and websites to enable all golfers to learn about the 2019 Rules.

Extensive educational programs are being conducted around the world, with the assistance of national and regional associations, to ensure that golfers and administrators throughout amateur and professional golf are ready for the new Rules when they take effect on Jan. 1.

The process to modernize the Rules began in 2012 with the aim of making the Rules easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to help make golf more appealing and accessible for newcomers.

Some of the key changes in the new Rules include new procedures for dropping the ball when taking relief, the elimination or reduction of several penalties, relaxed putting green and bunker rules, and rules that encourage improved pace of play.

Golfers are reminded that the current Rules of Golf remain in effect for the remainder of 2018. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of the review process.

As an extension of its support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and the USGA’s efforts to modernize golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the sport, from the leading professional and amateur competitions and organizations to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

Click here to learn more about the Rules of golf.

In year’s past the release of the championship dates and venues hasn’t been finalized and released until the new year but back on Dec. 10 the 2019 schedule was released.

Golf Saskatchewan will return to the Royal Regina Golf Club for the first time since 2008 with the 10oth Senior Men’s and Mid-Master’s Championship. The Senior Women’s Championship will take place at the storied course as well.

Golf Saskatchewan will also use Moon Lake Golf and Country Club, Golf Kenosee, the Lynbrook Golf Club and the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, and the Evergreen Golf Club for their championship tournaments.

All the dates and details are available here.

Registration for the events will open in April.

We love growing the game and getting kids on the course, something La Ronge is doing well.

We did a story on golf in the north that readers enjoyed, the piece is the fourth most engaging article of the year.

You can see it here.

After winning several Saskatchewan events Regina’s Alex Schmidt has taken her game to the next level.

Schmidt is playing golf at Lewis-Clark State College now advancing her game. We caught up with the 18 year-old in November.

Alex’s rise is the fifth most captivating story of the year.

Young Regina golfer Autumn Neiszner enjoyed the CP Women’s Open at her own course but she definitely evolved on the summer on the course.

Neiszners’ year that included a career low at the Maple Leaf National event in Phoenix, Arizona.

A recap of her year is the sixth most engaging story of the season.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak has plenty of experience already competing in junior tournaments around the prairies but in 2018 she took her competitive spirit to a new level.

The 12-year-old Deer Park Municipal Golf Course member entered into the 100th Saskatchewan Women’s Amateur Championship placing fifth overall and landing a spot at the national championship.

Kozak’s story on her venture into the women’s event was our number seven story of the year.

The Wakaw Lake Golf Course has had their share of water issues over the past few years but using spring run off to their advantage rather than combating the annual flow has worked wonders on the nine hole track.

We spoke with superintendent Dean Hildebrandt in July regarding the plans and how the renovations have turned out.

The story seen here, was our eighth most engaging post of the year.

Regina’s Will Blake had a tremendous season on the course taking the under-15 Order of Merit (OMT) championship as well as the bantam division title at the Saskatchewan Junior Boy’s Championship back in July.

The Royal Regina Golf Club member’s season is the ninth top story of 2018. You can see it here.

On route to the women’s Order of Merit (OMT) championship this year, Saskatoon’s Kim Brown won her second straight Lobstick in Waskesiu.

Our coverage of Brown’s victory was the 10th most read story of 2018 on our website.

Click here to read more on her victory.

A man from Virden, Manitoba who attended the CP Women’s Open in Regina along with his wife and his employer is receiving an extra special Christmas gift this year.

Doug and Michele Wright have won the 50/50 daw worth $28,117.50 after their winning ticket was drawn on Aug. 26, the final day of the championship at the Wascana Golf and Country Club. Tracking down the winner took some time but Golf Saskatchewan, who will benefit from the other half of the jackpot has finalized all the details to get the funds to the Wright family. Doug said he’s still in shock from receiving the phone call.

“It’s amazing, of course I mentioned it to my kids and they pretty much have it spent,” he laughed. “I said you aren’t spending any of it until I actually see it and know it’s for sure.”

The Wright’s attended the event from Manitoba with Doug’s company who had a VIP section next to the 18^th green. He said attending a professional golf event was something him and his wife of 32 years had always wanted to do. The couple, both avid golfers in Virden were both impressed with the event even without the win fall.

“We didn’t realize how much we’d enjoy it,” he said. “We’ve never been to anything like this, but it was very well organized. It was nice to see Brooke Henderson win it all too.”

Wright purchased his 50/50 ticket while walking the course and venturing away from the corporate tents along the final hole. The long-time golfer said he was impressed by the talent of the field in Saskatchewan’s capital.

“I’ve been golfing for a long time and I’m a bogey golfer at best but, it’s so routine for the LPGA players. They hit their drives, never in trouble, then they hit their second shot and I’m doing a cart wheel if I hit the green, but these ladies expect to be within 10 to 15 feet of the pin,” Wright said.

The 50/50 jackpot was a cherry on top of the experience the Wright’s took in. The tricky part now is deciding what to with the winnings. Doug said their three kids and four grandchildren have a few ideas.

“The kids were thinking we could go on a family vacation, so it might go to that or it might just be me and Michele going south and doing some golfing. I’m sure they will accept anything we graciously hand out so we will see what happens,” he said.

Golf Saskatchewan is benefitting, more importantly, junior golf in the province will see half the funds directed their way. Wright said that makes the ticket purchase a win-win proposition.

“I am so glad I bought it, I’m a golfer and I’m glad this will help with the junior programs. Keep up the good work because this was a great event,” he said.