Ryan Moore and the New Rule 18-2b

They need to re-write the rules into something resembling English.

After reading the Rules, the Internal Revenue Code is sometimes easier to understand than the Rules of Golf.

That's absurd.

I was once told that lawyers actually write/edit the verbage......don't know if that's true or not.

The change is somewhat confusing.  As Eric says, it gets you off the hook for wind and outside agencies only.  Whether this happened or not has to be a question of fact .  Not a maybe. This change is going to help people on windy days.  Where there is going to be confusion is gravity.  If your ball moves, after you address, because of gravity, ( ball on a slope) you still are going to get a penalty on 18-2.

Having said all that, I do think it's a positive change.

Edit:  Saw Eric's response.  The confusing part, is going to be because no one reads the rules.  The word will get out that the rule changed.  However it's going to be along the lines of, "you know that unfair rule about if the ball moves after address, you get a penalty even if you didn't cause it to move, now you're off the hook if you didn't cause it to move."

I think Erik's change would be a big improvement, but I think the rule is fair as it is currently meant to be understood. Basically, there better be clear evidence that something else (wind or an outside agency) caused the movement, or you're on the hook. I don't see any other way to make the rule consistent with the principles of playing the ball as it lies. I've seen plenty of times (thankfully mostly on the practice green) when a ball in a precarious lie on a slope starts moving when a club is set lightly beside it. While that's frustrating, there's no way to see it but that the club caused the movement. Maybe, just maybe, the ball was going to roll anyway, but I think the vast majority of rulings will be made correctly by assuming that the address caused the ball to move unless there's evidence of another cause.

There are still quirks, though. Sometimes walking a couple feet away from the ball on a soft green can make it roll. On the one hand, in principle you should be penalized for causing this. However, you also have a right to take your stance, so being too harsh here would be counterproductive. Address seems like a decent line to draw in the sand as to where the onus of proof transfers.

I agree.  The rule leaves a lot to interpretation, but then again many rules of golf do and that's ok.  It is a great part of the game that the character of the player is so important.

But, I think that the rules need to really take into account the speed of the greens these guys are putting on.  I've only played on greens that fast a few times when it is windy.  One time, not too breezy, on a very fast green I placed my putter behind the ball and the ball started rolling forward.  The wind coming from behind and over the putter had essentially pulled the ball forward, bernoulli and all.  Interesting thing is we were able to replicate the situation and it wasn't an extreme weather condition.  Extreme green condition, yes, extreme weather, no.

Personally, I think that if you're not making a stroke you should be penalized.  Much like the ball falling off the tee on the tee box (which happened twice to me yesterday).

Another problem from the standpoint of understanding a lot of the rules is the term "outside agency"  Next time you play, ask your group what "outside agency" means.

I'm sure you've seen attempts at simplifying the rules, that don't work.

I have a masters degree in law in taxation, and after reading the rules of golf, I continue to think "there must be a better way."

I try to look back at the documents we draft for a client and put it away for a day or two. Then I pull it out and pretend I'm the typical client and ask, "Can I understand this easily without constantly going back and forth?

I kept on going back and forth with the initial post.

OT, but we have a Wiki article if anyone wants to try to write a condensed version of the rules: http://thesandtrap.com/a/rules-of-golf-in-one-page-maybe-two

So, if it moves when you address your putt.......but you don't ground the putter at all.  Let's say you know it's on a big hill, and don't ground the putter.  Ball moves without wind or an outside agency.....then what?

I wouldn't mind trying it as a long term project - but I'd have to have someone who knew the rules to review drafts.

Thanks for sharing.  I found it interesting about grounding the club definition - and taking address.  That is good to know that if the ball moves from placing the club in-front or behind the ball - regardless of taking the stance, if it moves - it is a penalty.  I thought it was only a penalty if you actually was fully set with your feet - and club.

The definition of Addressing the Ball changed this year and no longer requires a stance to have been taken.

It is simply a matter of grounding the ball immediately behind or in front to the ball.

According to the rules, the player never addressed his putt in the example you describe above.

Brandon

Which means that, rather than being deemed to have caused it, you must determine whether or not you caused it. If you stomp next to the ball and it starts rolling, addressed or not, that is a penalty. It'll depend on the situation, but IMO if you're reasonably (and gently!) taking your stance, I think you'd be justified to treat it like a rub of the green.