Under the current Rules of Golf, you are only allowed to substitute your ball when it is damaged or when taking penalty relief in situations like the first image above, when you can’t successfully retrieve it from a hazard. However, the R&A wants a more consistent approach for the new rulebook… From 2019, you’ll ‘always be allowed the choice of substituting a ball’ when taking relief, regardless of whether its free or penalty relief. This change will allow for substitutions in situations like in the second image above, or when dropping from a cart path or GUR. |