Fernandina Beach Men's Golf Association

Most notably, there are 10 fewer rules: 24 versus 34.  And, for the most part, they are more understandable and more accommodating to the realities of today’s game.

To summarize:

Regarding the “stroke and distance” penalty for hitting a ball out of bounds: the new rules will provide for a local rule “to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty.” The change is intended to support pace of play and is not for higher levels such as professionals and elite amateurs.

Accidentally moving your ball on the putting green won’t cost you a stroke

No additional penalty for hitting a ball in motion. The “double hit”.

No penalty if your ball in motion accidentally hits you or your equipment.

Embedded-ball relief anywhere except in a bunker.

No penalty for hitting an unattended flagstick if you are putting while on the green. This may or may not be to your advantage.

You can repair “spike marks, and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green.” There is no penalty for touching the line of putt. 

There also are more generous applications regarding relief from hazards and other penalty areas. Under the new rules, a player will be able to move loose impediments in a bunker and touch the sand with club or hand. It goes without saying, it is hoped, that this is not for players to improve their lie therein. 

In relief situations, you can drop from the knee, not shoulder, level. 

The time searching for a lost ball is down to three minutes from five.

The 600-page Decisions on the Rules of Golf doorstop is gone. It will be replaced by three volumes: Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf, the Rules of Golf and the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. There will be more than 30 “how to apply” videos and a summary of the principal changes available at www.usga.org/rules and www.RandA.org or try this: https://sports.yahoo.com/nine-changes-rules-golf-absolutely-192449723.html