The latest edition of the Rules of Golf booklet is now available for collection at the My Golf Kaki office! Simply present your valid membership card or quote your NRIC for verification before collection.

Some of the significant changes include:

i)              Ball Moving After Address (Rule 18-2b).

A new exception is added which exonerates the player from penalty if their ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that they did not cause the ball to move. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position.

ii)             Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions (Rule 13-4).

Exception 2 to this Rule is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 (improving lie, area of intended stance or swing or line of play) is not breached.

iii)            Time of Starting (Rule 6-3a).

The rule is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.

The most significant change (