Rules of Golf (Dale Jackson) Amateur Status (Roland Deveau) 2016 Changes to… Rules of Golf (Dale Jackson) Amateur Status (Roland Deveau) Handicap System (Richard Smith) Rules: -Rules Education Pathway -More education via web posts, GC magazine, Twitter Takeover -NEW Level 1 & 2 -Dale’s role internationally Amateur Status -Roland’s role internationally -unified code since 2012 Handicap -Education via web posts, GC magazine, Twitter Takeover -Online education -Handicap chair at each member club

Rules Education Pathway Level 1 (online) Level 2 (online) Level 3 (provincial) Level 4 (national) Online prep course

Level 4 Officials in Canada

NEW Level 1 & 2 Rules of Golf -challenge group and provide free access to every AGM member -free rules and decisions books available at the office

2016 Rules of Golf Unified publication for first time Four Major Changes

2016 Rules of Golf Rule 6-6d. Wrong Score for hole – Major exception added Rule 14-1b. Anchoring the Club – New Rule 14-3. Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment: Abnormal use of Equipment - First offence is 2 stroke penalty, 2nd offence is DQ Rule 18-2. Ball at Rest Moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment - Ball moved after address no longer automatic breach

2016 Rules of Golf Rule 6-6 Scoring in Stroke Play 6-6d. Wrong Score for Hole Exception: If a competitor returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken due to failure to include one or more penalty strokes that, before returning his score card, he did not know he had incurred, he is not disqualified.

2016 Rules of Golf Rule 14-1b. Anchoring the Club In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point”. Note 1: The club is anchored “directly” when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm. Note 2: An “anchor point” exists when the player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.

2016 Rules of Golf Rule 14-3. Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment: Abnormal use of Equipment Preamble revised Terminology change: Use of Any Equipment in an Abnormal Manner Two-tiered penalty structure 1st breach – General Penalty Any subsequent breach – Disqualification Distance measuring device Local Rule broadened Future developments

2016 Rules of Golf Rule 18-2. Ball at Rest Moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment Ball at Rest Moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment Evolution of Rule 18-2 (2012 changes) Rule 18-2b eliminated Decision 18-2/0.5 - “weight of the evidence” standard

2016 Amateur Status Purpose and spirit of the Rules 2016 Significant Changes: Prize Money to Charity Golf-Related Expenses Reinstatement to Amateur Status Competitions Not Normally Encountered on a Golf Course Focus on the game’s challenges and inherent rewards, rather than financial gain Maintain the distinction between amateur golf and professional golf Keep the amateur game as free as possible from the pressures that may follow from uncontrolled sponsorship and financial incentive

2016 Amateur Status Prize Money to Charity New Rule 3-1b enables an amateur golfer to participate in an event where prize money or its equivalent is donated to a recognized charity, provided the approval of the governing body is first obtained in advance by the organizer.

2016 Amateur Status Golf-Related Expenses New Rule 4-3 clarifies that an amateur golfer may receive reasonable expenses, not exceeding actual expenses incurred, for non-competition golf-related activities. Former Rule 4-3 becomes Rule 4-4. For example: Coaching costs, including related travel and living expenses for individual lessons; physiotherapy, fitness training or sports psychology.

2016 Amateur Status Reinstatement to Amateur Status The recommended guidelines on periods awaiting reinstatement are amended to provide that a period in breach of the Rules of six years or more (previously five years or more) should result in a period awaiting reinstatement of two years.

2016 Amateur Status Competitions Not Normally Encountered on a Golf Course Decision 3-2a/6 revised to provide greater clarification that the Rules of Amateur Status Rules do not apply to a challenge that is not normally encountered on a golf course provided that challenge is being staged in conjunction with an event where golf is not the major factor in attracting people to the event as a whole. For example: Chipping into a barrel at a carnival or fair (versus at a golf exhibition).

Golf Canada Handicap System changes Definitions Amended the definition of “Par” replacing the term “expert player” with “scratch golfer”. This term better aligns with the Course Rating System, and reinforces the point that the “bogey golfer” is not expected to be able to reach the green in “regulation” on longer holes. Amended the definition of Peer Review to include Complete and General scoring record views. Amended the definition of “Score Type” by removing Internet (I), which is a method of posting a score but not a unique type of score. Amended the definition of “Tournament Score” to clarify that T-Scores need to be significant events. An accompanying note cautions that the consequence of designating too many competition rounds as T-Scores is that the chart value in the Handicap Reduction Table will be diluted. New chart is as follows (to help clarify)

Golf Canada Handicap System changes

Golf Canada Handicap System changes Section 4 The phrase “the principles of the Rules of Golf” has been revised throughout the Golf Canada Handicap System to simply read “The Rules of Golf.” Section 5 (5-1a, d, e: vi vii viii). Added references to a multiple breach of Rule 14-3, playing alone, and intentional breach of a Rule as an unacceptable score for handicap purposes. Section 6 Amended accessibility of scoring records to allow for electronic viewing instead of a printed list. Section 8 Amended so temporary and permanent disability modifications will be required to be displayed with an “M”.

Golf Canada Handicap System changes Section 9 Added new subsection, Flights. Re-numbered “How to Decide Ties in Handicap Competitions” to Section 9-6. Decisions Revised a number of the Decisions to be consistent with the above changes. Appendix E Replaced the Exceptional Tournament Score Probability Table in Appendix E with a new Score Frequency and Probability Table.