Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-10
REVISING GOLF RULES.
Special Committee of Amateur Asso-
citation Working Cautiously.

The special committee appointed by Presi-
dent R. H. Robertson, at the last meeting
of the United States Golf Association, Is
creating widespread interest among anna
teur golfers. Just what changes will be
suggested at the next meeting none OF the
members of the committee will announce.
This committee, consisting of Charles b.
Macdonald, G. Herbert Windeler and Wal
ter j. Travis is now at work on revision
of the playing rules.
1t seems odd that for a game played for
centuries there should be so many vague
rules Probably every player who follows
the game at all closely has read the rules.
both match and medal play. yet 1t is fact
that very few Of the amateurs have a clear
conception Of all the rules
On the other side, the Royal and Ancient
Club of st. Andrew recently submitted a
number OF alterations. but the golf commit
tee proceeded very cautiously with regard
to the American or rubber covered ball. No
attempt was made to ostracise 1t nor to ad-
vocate a standard ball. The alterations In
the rules will go into effect over these on
January 1, but In some instances they are
as ambiguous as ever.
A change has been made in the St. An
drews rules with regard to putting in
medal play. New holes shall be made for
stroke competitions. and thereafter before
starting no competitor shall play on any OF
the putting green's. nor shall he Intentional
ly play at any OF the holes. nor on to any
Of the putting green's under penalty Of dis
qualification. In rule IA 1t Is now stipulated
that ball may be lifted from any place
under a penalty Of two strokes, and q ball
so lifted shall be teed, IL possible, behind
the place where 1t lay. II 1t Is impossible
to tee the ball behind where it lay 1t shall
be teed near possible thereto. The
penalty for breach of this rule shall be dis
qualification.
Section II Of the same rules also relates
to putting in medal play. 1t says that all
balls shall be holed out under penalty of
disqualification. When a competitors ball
Is within twenty yards of the hole, the
competitor shall not play until the flag has
When both balls are on the putting green
the ball nearer the hole shall, upon request
of the player be either lifted or faoled out,
at the option of the owner, under penalty
of disqualification.
II the players ball strike his opponents
ball, the penalty shall be one stroke.
Through the green a player may have any
other competitors ball lifted If he finds 1t
interferes with his stroke
In another section of rule II 1t says that
a competitor shall not discontinue play nor
delay the start on account of bad weather
nor for any other reason whatever, except
such as is satisfactory to the committee
Of the club in charge Of the competition
The penalty for breach Of this rule is dis
qualification.
Rule 10, section 81, reads:
II the player, when not intending to make
stroke, or his partner, either of their
caddies. move his or their ball or by touch
ing anything to cause 1t to move when It IS
In play. the penalty shall be one stroke II
the ball in play move after the player has
grounded his club in the act Of addressing
it. or when In a hazard II he has taken I'D
his stand to play 1t. he shall be deemed 70
have caused 1t to move, and the movement
shall be counted as his stroke.