Thursday 2 March 2017 16:48, UK
Joint proposals from the R&A and the USGA to significantly change the Rules of Golf have received a mixed reaction from the sport’s leading players.
The alterations would include the elimination of penalties for balls moving on the green and a reduction in time a player can search for a lost ball, with the number of rules reduced from 34 to 24.
World No 1 Dustin Johnson was one of a number of golfers to publicly praise the proposals, which would come in to effect from January 1, 2019, although several others openly criticised the plans.
The changes are designed to reduce penalties and speed up the pace of play and Johnson, who was controversially penalised for his ball moving on the green during the 2016 US Open, encouraged by the new rules.
Speaking ahead of the WGC-Mexcio Championship, Johnson said: "I think some of the rule changes are really good and I think they're trying to simplify the rules a little bit, so that there's not so much confusion.
"Especially the ball on the putting green, when you don't feel like you caused it to move and you're still getting a penalty. That to me makes no sense."
Johnson's positive comments were echoed by Ian Poulter, who tweeted: "I'm so happy the R&A and the USGA are addressing the complex very confusing rule book. Common sense will help all enjoy the game of golf."
Poulter then suggested his own way to speed up play, adding: "The tour greens books should be banned. No one on Tour got a card because of those books. The art of putting has been lost. If you can't read a green, that's your fault."
Tiger Woods was also pleased with the proposals and tweeted: "Lots of thought & hard work by @USGA and @RandA to modernize our rules. Great work to benefit the game."
The changes would also see rules "relaxed" for putting and bunker play, with players encouraged to take no longer than 40 seconds per shot in a bid to speed up play.
Graham DeLaet said in a social media statement: "We should have our own book and distance ourselves from amateur governing bodies.
"Fact is, there's an old boys club based in New Jersey that have never hit a shot on Tour who make decisions that affect our families....and the best part...they don't even know the rules!
"I think the changes are moving the right direction for golf, but I think professional golf should have its own book."
The same issue was also a concern of Daniel Berger, who later tweeted: "Maybe there should be professional rules and amateur rules because I'm not getting a good vibe about some of these proposed changes."
What do you make of the proposed R&A and USGA rule changes? Let us know by tweeting @SkySportsGolf and taking the R&A's survey.
