FAR HILLS, N.J. -- One change in the Rules of Golf came five years too late for Jeff Maggert.
Golf's governing bodies said Wednesday they have amended 28 of the 34 rules starting in 2008, with only a few significant changes. One of them is when a ball deflects off a player, which is what happened to Maggert in the final round of the 2003 Masters.
He was leading the tournament when his fairway bunker shot at No. 3 caromed off the lip and bounced off his chest. Maggert was assessed a two-shot penalty, went on to make triple bogey and never regained the lead.
Under the revised rule 19-2, the penalty has been reduced to one shot in stroke play and match play. Previously, it had been loss of hole in match play.
Other changes include:
-- Rule 12-2, which allows a player to lift a ball in the bunker or a water hazard for identification purposes.
-- Rule 4-1, which reduces the penalty for carrying -- but not using -- a non-conforming club from disqualification to two strokes per hole, with a maximum penalty of four strokes per round. In match play, the penalty is loss of hole with a maximum of two holes per round.
Most of the other changes by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club and the U.S. Golf Association were made to improve clarity or reduce penalties. The rules are effective Jan. 1, and will not be amended again until the start of 2012.
"The simpler, clearer language of the 2008 editions is designed to make it easier for players to use," said David Rickman, director of rules and equipment standards for the R&A.
Also part of the new rules, rather than appearing in a separate book as a decision on the rules, is a move to speed up play by allowing players to tap in putts while standing on or astride the line.
Action on the distances balls are flying these days has still not been deemed necessary at this stage, with data from the professional game showing that there has been a levelling off in the past few years.
On the European Tour this season, for instance, only four players -- Alvaro Quiros, Emanuele Canonica, Daniel Vancsik and Henrik Stenson -- have drives averaging over 300 yards. Last year there were 12, and it has not been lower than four since 2002.
On the PGA TOUR, there are 21 players averaging over 300 yards. Last season it was 20.
Also announced were revisions to amateur status allowing leading amateurs to assist in the promotion of the game.
Restrictions are being eased to permit players "of skill or reputation" to have their name or likeness used to promote their national unions and associations. This will also extend, with the agreement of the union, to competitions and other events considered to be in the best interests of the game.
"Looking to the future, the R&A believes that the time is right for a fundamental review of the Rules of Amateur Status and this will be conducted over the next four-year period," said Rickman.
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