20 Most Important Rules Changes 2019

Printable version – here

1.	SEARCH TIME – REDUCED FROM 5 MINUTES TO 3 MINUTES	Rule 18.2a
2.	BALL MOVED DURING SEARCH – REPLACE NO PENALTY	Rule 7.4
3.	EMBEDDED BALL – FREE RELIEF ANYWHERE THROUGH THE COURSE	Rule 16.3
4.	MEASURING A DROP – USE LONGEST CLUB (EXCEPT PUTTER)	Definitions
5.	DROPPING – DROP FROM KNEE HEIGHT RATHER THAN SHOULDER	Rule 14.3
6.	TAKING STANCE ON WRONG GREEN IS NOT PERMITTED	Rule 13.1f
7.	BALL UNINTENTIONALLY HITS PLAYER OR EQUIPMENT – NO PENALTY	Rule 11.1
8.	DOUBLE HIT – NO PENALTY. NOW ONLY COUNTS AS ONE STROKE	Rule 10.1a
9.	TOUCHING SAND IN BUNKER INCIDENTALLY IS PERMITTED	Rule 12.2b
10.	LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS CAN BE REMOVED ANYWHERE INCLUDING HAZARDS	Rule 15
11.	DROPPING A BALL OUT OF A BUNKER – 2 PENALTY STROKES	Rule 19.3
12.	WATER HAZARDS – NOW CALLED “PENALTY AREAS”	Definitions
13.	TOUCHING GROUND IN PENALTY AREA – NO PENALTY	Rule 17
14.	BALL MOVES ON GREEN AFTER BEING MARKED – REPLACE, NO PENALTY	Rule 13.1d
15.	BALL ACCIDENTLY MOVED ON PUTTING GREEN – REPLACE, NO PENALTY	Rule 13.1d
16.	ALL DAMAGE TO GREEN CAN NOW BE REPAIRED	Rule 13.1c
17.	POSITIONING A CLUB FOR ALIGNMENT IS NOW NOT PERMITTED	Rule 10.2b
18.	CADDIE ASSISTING WITH ALIGNMENT IS NOW NOT PERMITTED	Rule 10.2b
19.	PUTTING WITH FLAG STICK IN HOLE IS NOW PERMITTED	Rule 13.2a
20.	BALL WEDGED AGAINST FLAG STICK AND SIDE OF HOLE IS DEEMED AS HOLED	Rule 13.2c