By Rahul Banerji
Professional golf returns with the winners-only Sentry Tournament of Champions PGA Tour event in Hawaii starting in a few hours but the talk at the moment is still mostly about the rule changes that have been rung in by the USGA and R&A.
It has been a little over 72 hours since the amended rules came into force, and while there have been extensive efforts to ensure that word spreads and is as concisely explained as possible, I’m sure plenty of arguments have already happened over interpretation and application.
The R&A is also posted a short tutorial on some of the more basic rule changes that were posted on Twitter by the Ladied European Tour, the link of which is copied here so those who want to take a quick look.
⛳️ https://t.co/Fj8yR3hW8s
(https://twitter.com/LETgolf/status/1080510403015307264?s=09)
A look at the PGA Tour website threw up more than a few interesting observations from some of the top professionals who will shortly go into action at Kapalua, where defending champin Dustin Johnson will be gunning for his 20th Tour title.
Some are happy
Johnson is paired with Bryson DeChambeau, a.k.a The Professor, who will be very happy with the new rule that allows the flag-stick to stay in place while putting, something he has been working on for some time.
“Inside a certain distance it could become a problem,” the PGA site quoted him as saying. “Most people are going to want the flagstick out and I’m going to want the flagstick in,
“There are going to be weird instances where I want it in because I know it is a benefit. If it’s a 20 to 30-footer I’ll just put it in and it might add a little time taking it in and out.
“So I don’t know how I am going to deal with that yet (with playing partners) … it is certainly going to be interesting.”
More time
Added Johnson, “It’s going to be weird because the flag’s going to be going in and out a lot. But it’s all right. I mean it’s not bad.
“If you got a real long putt or something I might leave it instead of having the caddie stand there and tend it. Or if you know it’s sometimes if you hit one up there, it’s always awkward trying to take the flag out. You can just tap it in.”
Said 2017 winner Justin Thomas, “If I have an eight-footer to win a golf tournament … I mean no offense, I can’t really take myself seriously if I kept the pin in.”
For DeChambeau, the approach to the amendments is very clear. “All I try to do is use every aspect of the game of golf to my advantage,” he said last year. “I try to use the rules to my advantage in the most positive way possible. Not trying to skirt around anything, just use them.”
Writing on the website, Ben Everill noted, One thing is certain: There will be an adjustment period, and everyone should try to remain as patient as possible.
“Everybody’s going to be calling a rules official in as much possible,” Thomas said. “So unfortunately play is probably not going to be too fast. But it’s tough, with anything, with change it’s always going to be different.
“I’ve tried to study up … You would hate to get penalised just for making a mistake for something you’ve done your whole life, so it will be different.”
Also read: Wading the Internet in search of better golf
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