New USGA / RA Decision Changes for 2014-2015

The below four decisions are the highlights among 87 changes made in time for the “2014-2015 Decisions on the Rules of Golf” book. There are three new decisions, 59 revised decisions and 24 decisions have been withdrawn.

The governing bodies have introduced a new decision, 18/4, so that players are not penalized under Rule 18-2 (“Ball at Rest Moved: By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment”) if a ball changes location and the movement could not have been seen without the use of enhanced technological evidence.

Players can access weather reports on smart phones during a round. Decision 14-3/18 allows players to access information about the threat of an impending storm without being in breach of the rules.

Two decisions have been revised for greater clarity. Decision 25-2/0.5 helps clarify the meaning of an embedded ball with the use of illustrations.

Decision 27-2a/1.5 has been changed to allow players to go forward approximately 50 yards without forfeiting the right to go back and play a provisional ball. Currently that is disallowed.