This will be the start of a series of discussions of the significant proposed Rules changes.
The USGA and R&A have proposed “Modernizing the Rules” – i.e. Simplifying the Rules – to make them easier to understand and apply more effectively.
I wholeheartedly applaud this initiative as it makes a lot of sense and is in accordance with some suggestions in my books “Just Hit It” (©2008) and From Sticks and Stones (© 2011) — I note that the discussions to makes these global changes date back to 2012, and with some massaging should be in effect in 2019.
My first comment is about the proposal to publish a proposed shorter version of the Rules called the Players Edition. This does not have to wait until 2019, as this document exists today and is entitled “A Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf”, and formerly known as “The Rules in Brief.” This will allow at least 90% of golfers to know about 95% of what they need to know about the Rules.
Once the rules have changed then an updated version can be published. (see http://www.randa.org/RulesEquipment/Rules/QuickGuide/Start for a free download and https://www.usgapublications.com/products/a-quick-guide-to-the-rules-of-golf for 50cents)
Proposed Change: New Procedure for Dropping a Ball
This week I will address the proposed rule change regarding how to drop a ball when taking relief.
The only requirement will be for you to hold the ball above the ground and let it go so that it falls through the air before coming to rest.
I encourage you to click here to review the USGA proposal, with video, on the USGA website.
One justification for this change is that under the present procedure, that “The player has no guarantee that the ball will come to rest on a desired spot or in a good lie”
The proposed change will minimize the randomness of the final resting place of the ball after being dropped.
We would like your input. I will withhold my personal input, until after comments are received from our Frankly Friends and other visitors, thus giving you the opportunity to form your own opinion and comment (by replying below) about this particular proposed rules change.
Looking forward to a lively discussion. Next week we will talk about TV referees.
Frank
franklygolf 
I think sll the proposed changes are great for the game. This one is abdolutely wonderful, especially in bunkers and other hazards.
Greg and Jack are both NUTS.
Go read what peter kostis said about the rule changes he suggests
It would speed up the game, as the ball would not roll away if dropped at a much lower height. Thus eliminating another drop or two.
Many of the rules changes seem designed to speed up the game, an example would be no longer needing to remove the flagstick when putting. I don’t see the purpose of this rule change. Seeking relief is not meant to “guarantee” a good lie, just to grant relief from whatever situation you find yourself in so you can continue. Currently, I see too many players who believe the drop should be in an improved position rather than the nearest point. I also think that dropping from just above the surface will be a great temptation for many players to effectively place the ball rather than actually drop it. Dealing with the vagaries of the bounce is a great part of golf, whether it’s a bad bounce from a good shot or from dropping the ball. Keep the rule as is.
I read discussions of the randomness and vagaries of the bounce when a ball is dropped. OK, what happens to a ball after it leaves the club face? We don’t always get a perfect lie on a perfect fairway. Golf is not meant to be fair. We are challenged and we try to overcome the challenges that the game throws at us. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we hit bad shots. The rules can be simplified while leaving us some of the tradition and history that I cherish. We’re going to the “general area” because people will not pick up a rules book and read definitions. What makes the ruling bodies think that golfers will learn the definition of the general area when they haven’t learned the definition of “through the green”? Sorry Frank. I got off of this week’s topic but thanks for the opportunity.
I wholeheartedly agree with the proposed changes. The Lexi Thomson incident took the game back many years and lost a lot of potential new golfers. What would happen if an incident like that happened in after the second round and the player in question just made the cut on the number? It would have deprived another player of getting a cheque. Ridiculous decision.
As usual, the USGA blew it. The drop should be from 7 5/16 inches.
I like the rule changes. Golf is not just for the pro’s. The average golfer needs to have fun. This will speed up play and grow the sport.
I want to know if the new Rule 11.1, for all accidental deflections, will eliminate a penalty for the “TC Chen”, double hit? Seem like it should, but it’s not clear.
Interesting. Why This rule? There are many others that need, no require, updating. However, drops should certainly be less “contested” for duffers and pros. Professional events may be slowed down some. I can just. envision a pro scouring the drop area for the perfect lie, bending down, & dropping an inch or less from the turf. Or, a player taking a chance by purposely hitting into a hazard just to get a perfect lie placement-drop because the randomness of the drop has been removed. The randomness should be retained, for tour events, but let’s give us duffers a break, PLEASE.
All TV review after the fact should be prohibited because there is no way to ensure equal review of all players. Once a card is signed, attested and accepted by the official scorer there should be no further review. All ambiguity should be removed.
under the present rule you drop it twice and if needed a third, you place it, so why not just p[lace it in the first place. Seems simple enough to me. No common sense in Far Hills.
Well said Chet!
This is all well and good, but the media and the USGA are still missing the point!!!
If you are going to scrutinize, by video, one player you must scrutinize all of the players in a tournament otherwise it is totally unfair.
We all know that the media will not do that because they could not have enough cameras or enough time and a tournament would go on forever.
So I still say that the cameras should be set to show only what the naked eye can see from a reasonable distance. And if the media refuses to do that the tournament should be awarded to another network.
Overzealous media producers and cameramen are ruining the game.
This is not just about whether Lexi was cheating or not. If her playing companions saw her moving her ball illegally / wrongly they should have called it to the attention of an official.
I personally think the drop should be from approximately 6 inches. Dropping through the air for 1/64 of an inch is basically placing the ball and brings into question whether the ball actually flew through the air. I prefer rules to be as black and white as possible.
I agree your idea, but why all this fuss like air drop, height drop etc. I like to just place the ball after players and official determine location, of course not near to hole and after-all you are taking relief.
Being able to drop from any height gives the player a chance to avoid a random bad lie. Taking relief from an obstruction or after a splash shouldn’t incur an extra penalty because of the vagaries of the bounce.