In November 2009, The R&A and the USGA issued a ‘Joint Statement’ on electronic devices, including distance-measuring devices, to clarify how the Rules are applied in relation to these devices. See the full Joint Statement here.

Most of the questions that we receive in connection with the Joint Statement relate to distance measuring devices, and some of the most common questions, along with the answers, are provided below.

Q. Can I use a distance measuring device in a competition?

A. The use of distance measuring devices during a stipulated round remains contrary to the Rules of Golf – the penalty being disqualification under Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment). However, since January 2006, a Committee can permit the use of some such devices via a Local Rule.

Q. What kind of distance measuring devices are allowed by Local Rule?

A. GPS, laser, any really; however, it is important that the device only measures distance. The use of a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play, like gradient, wind speed or temperature, is not permitted, regardless of whether such an additional function is used or not, and even if that function is disabled.

To help golfers and/or officials to determine the status of a particular device, The R&A has produced a flowchart explaining what is allowed when the Local Rule is in place:

You can download the above flowchart here.

Q. What about multi-functional devices, such as a mobile phone, with a distance measuring application?

A. On the course, subject to any club or course regulations, a multi-functional device may be used to phone, text or email – provided the purpose is not a breach of the Rules, e.g. you are not asking for advice.

When an application that measures distance has been downloaded to the device, the application must be restricted to providing only distance information in order to conform to the Local Rule. If there are any other features or applications on the phone that gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play, such as a temperature gauge, compass or anemometer, this would render the device non-conforming regardless of whether these other features or applications are used or not.

The flowchart referred to above also covers the use of multi-functional devices and should be of assistance determining whether a certain device is permissable or not.

Q. What should the Local Rule permitting distance measuring devices say?

A. The wording of the recommended Local Rule (Appendix I, Part B, 9) reads as follows:

“Distance-Measuring Devices:

[Specify as appropriate, e.g., In this competition, or For all play at this course, etc.], a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.”

Q. Why not simply allow distance measuring devices without the need for a Local Rule?

A. The advent of distance-measuring devices and their use in the game divides opinion at many levels. Many golfers are fans of these devices as they feel it puts them on a level footing with tournament professionals who have caddies providing distance information, whilst others will argue that there is no place for such technology in the game. As such, it was, and remains, appropriate to allow individual clubs and Committees to decide what is right for them, their competitions and their players.

Q. If a Club has in place the Local Rule permitting distance measuring devices and an external body, the national golf association, for example, is running an event there, does that mean that distance measuring devices are automatically allowed in that national event?

A. No. It is the responsibility of the national golf association to establish its own Local Rules for the event. Those Local Rules supersede what the Club has in place on a day to day basis.

Q. Does The R&A permit distance measuring devices at events like The Open Championship or The Amateur Championship?

A. No, it doesn’t, but ultimately it is for each individual Committee to decide whether it wants to allow the use of such devices for play on its course or in certain of its competitions. In the absence of a Local Rule, the use of such a device is contrary to the Rules of Golf, so always check the Local Rules!

Q. If the Local Rule for distance measuring devices is in place, may players share a distance measuring device?

A. Yes…although it is important that players sharing devices do not unduly delay play.

via R&A

延伸阅读：
2008版高尔夫英文规则15：Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball	2008版高尔夫规则下载	[新料]USGA高尔夫规则视频解说网	在线高尔夫规则测试 – 0916
无觅

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这是一个USGA推出的高尔夫规则视频解说网，采用视频的方式向高尔夫规则爱好者、学员和裁判解释了各规则的应用、要点、和相应的处置和处罚。

目前已经上传了3个重要规则的解说视频，每个视频包括有规则的介绍、定义、处置（或补救）、例外等。由于采用的是视频加解说的方式，使得学习高尔夫规则更加有效和简单。

看看预览图：

在这里我感慨一下，USGA和R&A为了推广和普及高尔夫、高尔夫规则，可谓是不遗余力啊！相比于某国高尔夫球协会的举办各种考试捞金、对本已没发展好的职业赛课以重额批准费、比爪哇国还落后的全国差点系统、混乱的国内青少年及业余赛事体系，形象光明而高大啊。

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觉得你高尔夫规则的水平不错？现在是你施展身手的好机会！R&A在昨天发布的E-newsletter里有这么一个在线规则测试的活动，参加答题即有机会赢取今年英国公开赛的门票，而且有机会获得其它的礼品，包括有球、R&A出版的DVD碟片、R&A的高尔夫规则图解版还有英国公开赛纪念读本等等。

本次规则测试使用最新版本2012-2015年的高尔夫规则，和2012-2013年的高尔夫判例书。测试会以选择题的方式出现，你将和John一起经过18个洞，每个洞会出现一些规则问题，需要你去解答。

（是不是很像高尔夫裁判考试呢！）

点击这里参加测试；答案将于2月26日公布。

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如果需要下载2012-2015高尔夫规则PDF版本的，请点击这里：2012-2015版高尔夫规则电子版下载。

新修订的规则将于2012年1月1日开始适用。

Definitions 定义部分的修改

Addressing the Ball 击球准备

The Definition is amended so that a player has addressed the ball simply by grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether or not he has taken his stance. Therefore, the Rules generally no longer provide for a player addressing the ball in a hazard. (See also related change to Rule 18-2b)
击球准备的定义修改成了，如果球员将球杆放在球前或球后，便视为做好了击球准备，而不管球手是否做好了站位。也就是说，由于在沙坑里击球前是不能将球杆头接触沙坑的，所以在沙坑里没有“做好击球准备”的说法。
如果发生了做好击球准备后球移动了的情况，在本次的修订中有关于18-2b的一个修订，见下方。

Rules 规则部分的修改

Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions
规则1-2 对球的运动施加影响或改变球的物理条件
The Rule is amended to establish more clearly that, if a player intentionally takes an action to influence the movement of a ball or to alter physical conditions affecting the playing of a hole in a way that is not permitted by the Rules, Rule 1-2 applies only when the action is not already covered in another Rule. For example, a player improving the lie of his ball is in breach of Rule 13-2 and therefore that Rule would apply, whereas a player intentionally improving the lie of a fellow-competitor’s ball is not a situation covered by Rule 13-2 and, therefore, is governed by Rule 1-2.
本次修订使规则1-2的应用说明更加清晰。如果球手故意违反其它规则去影响球的运动或改变它的物料条件，（由于有其它规则）并不算违反规则1-2。而如果球手对球施加的影响并没有相应的规则解释或涵盖，规则1-2适用。

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting
规则6-3a 出发时间
Rule 6-3a is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.
修改了6-3a，使得球手发球迟到，在规则上直接5分钟以内，罚两杆（比杆赛）或该洞负（比洞赛）。原来在2008版规则里，只有一个注释说明，只有在相应比赛球条件规则的情况下才可以5分钟以外罚杆不DQ，否则无论迟到多长时间均为DQ。
视频VIDEO: Rule 6-3a Explained

Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball
规则12-1 看见球，寻找球
Rule 12-1 is reformatted for clarity. In addition, it is amended to (i) permit a player to search for his ball anywhere on the course when it may be covered by sand and to clarify that there is no penalty if the ball is moved in these circumstances, and (ii) apply a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a if a player moves his ball in a hazard when searching for it when it is believed to be covered by loose impediments.
本次修订将规则12-1的结构给改了，更加清晰，如果你去看回规则书，会发现找球已经很清晰地划分成了“在球场上”、“在沙坑里”和“在水障碍里”等。并且不同情况下移动了球，会有不同的处罚/处理。新版规则在沙坑里找被散置障碍物覆盖的球时，移动了球，需要受到1杆处罚。

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
规则13-4 球在障碍区时禁止的行为
Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 is not breached.
这次修订这条也改动得比较大，现在允许球员在任何时间耙平沙坑，但仅限于维护球场的目的，没有改善球位、没有改善试图站位与挥杆区域、没有改善打球线。不再存在测试沙坑的处罚。
视频VIDEO: Rule 13-4 Explained

Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address
规则18-2b 击球准备后球移动
A new Exception is added that exonerates the player from penalty if his ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that he did not cause the ball to move. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position.
增加了一条新的例外情况，完成击球准备后，如果能够肯定不是由于球员本身的原因造成球移动（譬如是风吹动的），球员不受处罚。在2008版里的，很多大赛的球员在这条规则上受到了比白毛女还冤的罚杆，相信2012年开始不会再发生。
视频VIDEO: Rule 18-2b Explained

Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency
规则19-1 运动中的球被局外者变向或停止
The note is expanded to prescribe the various outcomes when a ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency.
注释展开说明了不同情况下的处理方法，不用再找判例啦！

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play
规则20-7c 比杆赛从错误的地方击球
Note 3 is amended so that if a player is to be penalised for playing from a wrong place, in most cases the penalty will be limited to two strokes, even if another Rule has been breached prior to his making the stroke.
注释3修改为，若球员从错误的地方打球，大部分情况下只会受到两杆的处罚，即使同时也违反了其它的规则。
（我很高兴，因为之前我一直弄不清从错误的地方打球，需要不需要罚其它违反的规则）

Appendix IV 附录部分修改
A new Appendix is added to prescribe general regulations for the design of devices and other equipment, such as tees, gloves and distance measuring devices.
增加了一部分附件，用于说明各种设备、装备（如Tee、手套和测距仪）等等的规范。
视频VIDEO: General Overview of the Rules changes

如果需要下载2012-2015高尔夫规则PDF版本的，请点击这里：2012-2015版高尔夫规则电子版下载。

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小常识：新接触高尔夫的朋友可能还不清楚高尔夫规则和判例的修订，经常在百度之类的要诸如2011年高尔夫规则等等。高尔夫规则是每四年修订一次，发布之后则在接下来四年内使用，也就是说，本次修订是2012-2015年的，而上次修订是2008-2011年的，并不存在2011年版的规则。

而高尔夫判例书则是每两年修订一年，第一次是跟随新版高尔夫规则发布，而第二次则是两年后，主要为了修订一些在上次修订没涉及的而在两年间发现的一些细节或判例问题。

2012-2013版的高尔夫规则判例

2012-2015年版高尔夫规则图解版

 高尔夫规则书图解版预览：

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2012版规则点此下载（地址1）
2012版规则点此下载（地址2）

相关的修订内容（包括1个定义、7条规则和1条附录有了新的修订）。

• Addressing the Ball
• Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions
• Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting
• Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball
• Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
• Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address
• Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency
• Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play
• Appendix IV

其中一条很重要的修订是关于做好击球准备后，球动了这种情况的处理。原来是做好击球准备后球动了，1杆罚杆是跑不掉了。但新的修订之后，若是由风造成的移动，则不会受罚。

详细的修订请查看前一篇日志：《2012-2015版高尔夫规则的主要修订》。

PS. 自从八月份大运会、安妮卡女子青少年之后，压根没歇过。出了一场职业赛裁判，之后就一直在被工作折腾。本来博客是要定时更新和总结自己规则学习和总结的。

不过呢，上个星期忙完了汉克哈尼到访后，和汉克哈尼合照了一张，哈哈，上图！

Updated: 被新浪转了,将个人照片移走. -_-!

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上了R&A的官方网站，果然看到有规则修订的内容，还有规则电子版的下载（注：该版本规则于2012年1月1日生效）。

由于最近比较忙，被高尔夫世界杯的准备工作累坏了，修订的内容大家看英文吧。

New Rules 2012-15

Principal Changes Introduced into the 2012 Code

Rules of Golf

Definitions

Addressing the Ball

The Definition is amended so that a player has addressed the ball simply by grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether or not he has taken his stance. Therefore, the Rules generally no longer provide for a player addressing the ball in a hazard. (See also related change to Rule 18-2b)

Rules
Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions
The Rule is amended to establish more clearly that, if a player intentionally takes an action to influence the movement of a ball or to alter physical conditions affecting the playing of a hole in a way that is not permitted by the Rules, Rule 1-2 applies only when the action is not already covered in another Rule. For example, a player improving the lie of his ball is in breach of Rule 13-2 and therefore that Rule would apply, whereas a player intentionally improving the lie of a fellow-competitor’s ball is not a situation covered by Rule 13-2 and, therefore, is governed by Rule 1-2.

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting
Rule 6-3a is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.
视频VIDEO: Rule 6-3a Explained

Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball
Rule 12-1 is reformatted for clarity. In addition, it is amended to (i) permit a player to search for his ball anywhere on the course when it may be covered by sand and to clarify that there is no penalty if the ball is moved in these circumstances, and (ii) apply a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a if a player moves his ball in a hazard when searching for it when it is believed to be covered by loose impediments.

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 is not breached.
视频VIDEO: Rule 13-4 Explained

Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address
A new Exception is added that exonerates the player from penalty if his ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that he did not cause the ball to move. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position.
视频VIDEO: Rule 18-2b Explained

Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency
The note is expanded to prescribe the various outcomes when a ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency.

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play
Note 3 is amended so that if a player is to be penalised for playing from a wrong place, in most cases the penalty will be limited to two strokes, even if another Rule has been breached prior to his making the stroke.

Appendix IV
A new Appendix is added to prescribe general regulations for the design of devices and other equipment, such as tees, gloves and distance measuring devices.
VIDEO: General Overview of the Rules changes

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