Par For the Course: Understanding the rules of golf

The rules of golf can be as tough to interpret as the game is to play!

But the new version of the 34 "Rules of Golf" has undergone a major revision. Every four year's the R&A and the USGA make, if necessary, modifications to keep up with changing situations.

But this is the biggest change in the content and presentation of the rules trying to simplify yet maintaining detailed and precise interpretations.

The R&A produces over four million copies of the rule book and Golf unions affiliated to the R&A reproduce the book under licence in 21 other languages.

So how do you get to know what the major changes that comes into effect on January 1, 2004?

The most direct route is visit either the R&A (www.randa.org) or USGA (www.usga.org)websites and there you can download the new version as well as have the opportunity to compete in their Rules quiz. The UGA will also distribute both English and Arabic books once received to all the clubs throughout the UAE complimentary.

Bringing everyone's attention to the new changes is very difficult as there is a large percentage of golfers who play the game without knowing the most basic rules.

How many golfers carry a rule book in their golf bag just in case there is a need to clarify a situation? Not many!

Hopefully the new version will make the rules easier to interpret. Staying with the rules, help protect your amateur status!

This subject has been a major issue in the UAE over the last few years but recently since the corporate season has begun there have been too many instances with large organisations and sponsors hosting golf days and attracting guests and clients with large and expensive prizes.

But the rules of amateur golf are very clear and those who accept these expensive prizes do face a ban from playing in any amateur tournaments.

Ironically, with the new version of the Rules of Golf the R&A have decided to increase the value of prizes allowed from GBP300 to GBP500 effective January 1st, 2004.

As the UGA continues to ensure all tournaments and golfers abide by this limit there are still many private events that totally ignore the amateur status rules.

But as game is ultimately a game of honesty the office does receive calls from members informing us of such events and prizes awarded and therefore action is taken against the individual, not the sponsor, for accepting the prize.

If found guilty, the minimum ban from the amateur game is now one year up to five year's depending to severity of the breach.

Golf is essentially a self-regulating sport and everyone should take interest in understanding the game better through the rules applicable to all.