Publications »2006 Rules of Golf
Changes to the Rules of Golf
New Interpretations Of Rules Set By USGA And R&A
For 2006
Far Hills, N.J. – The United States Golf Association
and The R&A, golf’s governing bodies, have
announced 111 changes to the book “Decisions on
the Rules of Golf,” published every two years
and effective for all golfers starting Jan. 1, 2006.
The 2006-2007 Decisions book includes
37 new Decisions and 66 revised Decisions, while eight
Decisions have been withdrawn.
Each year The R&A and the USGA receive
thousands of requests to clarify the Rules for on-course
incidents that have occurred at all levels of the game,
throughout the world. With changes to the Rules of Golf
established on a four-year rolling cycle, the ability
to publish official interpretations of the Rules in
the Decisions book every two years is helpful to the
game. The book contains more than 1,200 individual Decisions,
which are set out in question-and-answer format...Read
More.
USGA Changes to the Rules of Golf
Appendix I
List of Conforming Driver Heads
Introduced to allow a Committee to require, as a condition
of competition, players to carry a driver, identified
by model and loft, that is on the List of Conforming
Driver Heads.
Rules of Amateur Status
Rule 3-2a, Exception
Amended to allow an amateur golfer to accept a prize
of any value for a hole-in-one made while playing golf.
Rule 4-2b
Amended to provide that junior golfers may accept expenses
to only junior competitions without having to go through
their state or regional golf association (see Rules
4-2c).
Rule 4-2c
Amended to allow amateur golfers of any age to accept
expenses, provided the reimbursement is made through
the player’s state or regional golf association.
Rule 4-2f
Introduced to allow an amateur golfer to accept expenses
to participate in an exhibition to aid a charity.
Rule 4-2g
Introduced to allow amateur golfers to accept expenses
to a sponsored handicap (i.e., not gross) competition,
provided the USGA first approves the competition.
Rule 5-2b
Introduced to allow amateur golfers to receive compensation
for giving instruction in programs that have been approved
by the USGA.
Rule 6-6
Amended to allow an amateur golfer to accept membership
or privileges in a club or at a course without full
payment, provided the offer is not made as an inducement
to play for that club or course.
Rule 9-2b
Amended to provide for a shorter period awaiting reinstatement
for those who have been in breach of the Rules between
one and five years. Also, those applying for a second
reinstatement will now undergo the same period awaiting
reinstatement as those who are applying for the first
time.
Policy on Gambling
Reformatted for clarity and emphasis
