I read my first Golfweek email this morning under the changes they've made as they are 'reinventing' themselves (discussed in another thread). I liked this new format and the topics they covered - the pieces are short and sweet.
One of the articles touched on a few of the rules that may be rewritten by the R&A and USGA that would be effective in 2020. I like it!
http://golfweek.com/2017/01/23/rules-of-golf-ra-usga-changes-2020/
Hard to believe that these changes have been under review for 3 years and will not be effective for 3 more years. Seriously?
The 3 minute rule will help a little but won't be respected in public play I fear. I'd like to see the USGA focus on growing the game.
The two minutes shaved off the time legally allowed to look for a lost ball will be offset by now allowing a golfer to tamp down spike marks on the greens. If every golfer did this on every green for 15 seconds each (even just walking along your line looking for spike marks), the average round of golf just got extended.
I liked the shortened article under the revamped Golfweek email format. Short and sweet. Sure beats trying to navigate the online magazine.
There are far too many rules to begin with, simply amending rules that should have never been on the books to begin with, IMO just complicates it even more. Short of blowing the whole rule book up, starting fresh with more common sense
...Or the ability to use common sense on applying rules vs. being in a box. They should simply eliminate any wording/reference to being able to tamp down/repair spike marks.....Should be up to the player to decide how to go about that, just common flipping sense. And if pace of play was enforced to begin with it ought not make a difference what the rules are....3 vs. 5, tamp spike marks, etc.
