Fixed Distances (not club lengths) Used for Measuring
Bruce had been reading a Golf Magazine and came across an article on the New Proposed Rules for measuring One & Two club lengths in relief situations. He was playing with Andrew on Saturday and thought it would be helpful if he explained to him the new procedure. Club lengths would no longer be used to measure for any purpose. The relief area for dropping a ball would have a fixed size of 20” (50.8cms) replaces one club length, and 80” (203.2cms) replaces two club lengths. A re-drop would only be required when a ball comes to rest outside the relief area and therefore how many club lengths a dropped ball rolls would no longer matter when determining if a re-drop is required. The teeing area of a hole would have a fixed depth of 80” (203.2cms) Reason for Change. The smaller relief area (and not permitting any ball to roll outside the relief area) would usually mean that the player will play from closer to the ball’s original spot and the nearest point of relief than where the player may play from today. Using a fixed distance for measuring would eliminate a number of issues such as: • The inconsistency and potential unfairness of having the size of a relief area differ for each player based on the length of their clubs (including eliminating the advantage for players who currently can use a long putter for measuring.
• The confusion about when a player may use two different clubs in taking relief ( under current rules a player may use one club to find his nearest point of relief and another club to measure but must use only a single club for measuring the area for dropping and the distance a dropped ball has rolled). Using a fixed measure would be a simple process, with 20” and 40” (50.8 and 101.6cms) markings measured on the shaft of a players club which will likely be the primary tool used by players for measuring. The dropping of a ball at shoulder height and arm’s length will no longer be used. How a ball may be dropped is simplified, with no limitations on how the ball must be held or how high it must be dropped from, the only requirement would be that the ball be let go from a height (say 1 inch) above the ground or any growing thing or other natural artificial object so that it falls through the air, rather than being set down or placed on these things. Andrew said to Bruce that is a lot to take in but it does sound simpler. Thanks. | 
