Rules of golf 2019 - key changes

The new Rules of Golf 2019 will take effect from 1st January 2019. The key rule changes include:

New Definitions:

- Penalty Area - an area from which relief with a one-shot penalty is allowed (formerly 'Water Hazard'). Still defined as either yellow or red. 

- Relief Area - the area in which the ball must be dropped (and come to rest) when taking relief under a rule.

- Reference Point - the point from which the size of the Relief Area is measured.

- General Area - anywhere on the course except Teeing areas, Penalty areas, Bunkers and Greens (formerly 'Through the Green')·

- Temporary Water - formerly 'Casual Water'

- Pace-of-play support - Encouragement of Ready Golf in Stroke Play. Players may agree to play out of turn in Matchplay. Elimination of 'Ball Moved' penalties. No penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball.

- Relaxed Putting Green rules - No penalty if a ball hits an unattended flagstick in the hole. Players may repair damage to the green, whether their ball is on the green or not. This includes old hole plugs, spike marks and damage made by shoes, animals and maintenance practices (but not aeration holes, unless there is a local rule in place). No penalty for touching the line of putt. A ball resting against the flagstick is deemed holed if part of the ball is below the surface of the ground. Interference by a wrong green now includes the player's stance.

- Relaxed Bunker rules - No penalty for moving loose impediments (stones, leaves, etc.) in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with hand or club (but not directly in front or behind the ball or in making a backswing or practice swing). An extra relief option for an unplayable ball, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.