New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-16
CHANGES IN GOLF RULES.
A REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF
THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION.

A REPORT TO THE ESECOIINE toMMii LEE VIZ
THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION.
The Executive Committee of the United States
Golf Association made known yesterday the re-
port of the Special Committee on Rules, which
was submitted to the executive body at Its meet
ing at the Holland House last Thursday care
fu,-,tYdy Of the report shows that the committee
has made radical changes in the wording OF
the rules they stand in the code OF the Roya
and Ancient Golf Club of ST. Andrews. revised IN
1891 The chief labor seems to have been In ap-
pending to them the rulings of the United states
Golf Association, based upon decisions OF experts
In both this country and England. or upon GUS
toms which have obtained in the best CLUBS OIL
both countries In this work the committee mas
received advice from many prominent players IN
Guiding Harold n. Hilton. the present open cham-
pion of England: II. j. Whigham. the American
amateur champion: Leslie Melville Balfour' W. l.
I.nslkll Horace G. Hutchinson and others
The report is exceedingly comprehensive IN
scope, taking up in turn each OF the io''' %"
Andrews rules and adding to 1t definite resuia
tions for the guidance of American players
The principal change that has been made and the
one most likely to affect present methods OF match
play is in regard to lifting the BAH from d oau ne
Here the American and the scotch rue" nav a."
ways been in conflict The former perni''eA ',.e
player to lift with penalty of two strokes whiie
the latter imposed the penalty OF loss oil the hoe
Now the American rule has been changed so as 10
comply with the ST Andrews regulation lhis ue
cision however not affect those cases ihciuu
ed in rules Il and q of the old regulations which
provide for the lifting OF ball when piocheu ny
a temporary obstruction or when lost IN water
In case of a tie in handicap match play. the rules
provide that the competitors shall decide the Tie
by playing either one hole. three or nVe more hGIe
according to the manner in which the hahui.ap
ceded falls upon certain holes, so as TO MAKE .ne
game a fairly proportionate representation oi 'ne
round , 4. .ou,b,,c
An exception to the rule in regard to touching
the club TO the ground when the ball lies in nazarn
is made in the case where a ball Hes on tuiI III
a hazard or surrounded by hazard Here the
club may be soled. Long grass or casuai water OH
the fair green are held not to be hazards
In regard TO the dropping OF the pail me H NO.
important extension Of the old rules provides that
II Inc players opponent thinks the ball has not oee
properly dropped he is compelled to have 1t dropped
again. and the player must comply uhder Pehay u
disqualification. But when the bal! lies IN Casual
water on the putting green. 1t may be lified win.
out penalty and replaced by hand TO one SIDE put
not nearer to the hole ,,.-ue.a.,o. T.. tn,
The stringent penalty Of disqualification Is I'M.
posed in medal play. if the player attempts 10 putt
at a hole when the nag stick is in II. 49,. -.
There are also number OF new INTERPRETATIONS Oh
the Jules governing medal play. The old customs.
known as the etiquette of golf" have practically
been left unchanged.