Welcome / Rule Changes for 2008

Will the snow ever go away? Let's hope so. Welcome to Mississippi Dunes Golf Links in Cottage Grove. With this being a new added feature to our website, I would appreciate any comments and questions anyone may have.

In our first segment of the year, I'd like to go over all the rule changes for the 2008 season. Every couple years or so the USGA and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews sit down and decide what rule changes they need to make to adapt to the ever so changing game of golf. Usually you have a couple minor adjustments, but nothing to serious. However this session was completely opposite. There were some major rule changes that will change how everyone plays.

1) Beginning in 2008, a golfer will be allowed to lift a ball for identification in a bunker or water hazard. However, there now will be a two-stroke penalty for playing a wrong ball from a hazard. In match play, the penalty will be loss of hole.

This rule was made to speed up play. Sometimes in a hazard or bunker, the ball can be positioned in a way it can not be identified. The player then had the option of playing the ball and then identifiying the ball. If the ball was not his or hers, they had the option of going back to the hazard and searching once again, charged with no penalty.

Now they will be able to pick up the ball identify it, if it is their ball, place the ball to the orginial lie and play away.

2) Another notable change is the reduction in penalty in Rule 4-1 for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to, in stroke play, a penalty of two strokes per hole, with a maximum penalty of four strokes for the round.

So if you are as good as Tiger, which I know you all are, you don't have to empty the bag before the big Club Championship. Keep that "Texas" wedge or that old, non-corming ERC Callaway Driver in your bag, just don't use it and all you have to do is give the field 4 strokes, but hey at least you are not DQ'd like last year.

I wonder what Taylor Smith would of said about this change. Remember he was the one DQ'd for the illegal grip on his putter after tying Tiger in the Disney tournament in the late 90's. Though he wouldn't of won, he could of still pocketed a hefty check for it would of be his 7th place finish with the 4 stroke penalty versus the automatic DQ.

3) Lastly, the penalty for the accidental deflection of a ball by a player, his partner or either of their caddies or equipment under Rule 19-2 will be reduced to one penalty stroke in both match play and stroke play. (In 2007, the penalty was loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play.)

That law most famously caught out Jeff Maggert in the final round of the 2003 Masters when he was penalized two strokes after his bunker shot at the third caught the lip and rebounded back into his chest. Jeff ended up with a triple-bogey to ruin his victory chances.

Overall there were 28 amendments to 34 rules, but most of it was language to clear up exactly what the rule was supposed to be or act.

That wraps it up for "Blog #1". Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions. Please e-mail me at tbrewton@mississippidunes.com