Five M’sians attend R&A Bangkok rules seminar
World governing body focuses on improving new golf rules
MALAYSIA had five representatives at the R&A Asia New Rules Teach the Teachers (TTT) Seminar in Bangkok as the world governing body makes huge strides to improving the sport’s overall appeal and make it more of a pleasure to play.
Drawn from the Malaysia Golf Association’s (MGA) Rules & Amateur Status Sub-Committee, those who represented the country in the Thai capital were instructors, chairman C.C. Boo, Deborah Wong Moey Hua, Harbans Singh, Yeoh Chin Nam and Mohammad Khairi Abdul Jalil.
“The purpose of the TTT seminar was to introduce experienced rules instructors to the new R&A Level 1 and Level 2 teaching material, so that they in turn could prepare to deliver seminars on the new Rules of Golf later in the year in their home countries (from mid-September 2018),” said Boo.
“The five of us (MGA delegates) have been given the heavy task to come back home and not just assist in the training of other local instructors, but also assist in teaching as many golfers as possible on the implementation of the new rules of golf starting end of September 2018.”
According to Boo, Khairi has been entrusted with translating the new Rules of Golf 2019 into Bahasa Malaysia.
The R&A had four instructors in Bangkok and they were the rules chairman David Bonsall, Shona McRae, rules assistant director Clare Dowling and R&A
Asia Pacific rules manager
Jin Woo Kim.
The high-powered R&A instruction team in Bangkok touched on several areas of the game, with particular attention drawn to four categories of the new 2019 rules.
When the five Malaysians hold their seminars, they will do the same, and focus on:
1) Club presentation
This is an elementary new rules programme that caters for all affiliates club level golfers, club administration, marshal, caddies and golfers at large. It is a three to four-hour long briefing with teaching material provided by the R&A. A high demand of this briefing is expected.
2) Level 1 New Rules School
It will be conducted over one day and focus on the basics of the New Rules of Golf with an on-course demonstration with emphasis on the changes and new definitions with regards to the method of dropping of the ball when taking relief, etc.
Affiliates, golf clubs, golf administrators, media and event organisers are encouraged to contact the MGA and get involved with this.
3) Level 2 New Rules School
This caters for participants who have already attended the Level 1 rules school and is to provide instruction on the rules, advice on refereeing and the responsibilities of the committee.
4) Level 3 Rules School
This rules school will guided by R&A Instructors and cover a higher level of the rules knowledge – it’s for experienced rules officials.
Commenting on the latest developments, Boo told TeeUp: “The New Rules of Golf 2019 will make it easier to understand and to apply, by all levels of golfers – who play for pay or just ordinary amateurs.
“The current rules are rather more complicated and sometimes even rules officials struggle with it.
“The rules numbers has also being significantly reduced from the current 34 to only 24, and it certainly will encourage more social golfers to understand it more easily.
“It is also a good move to have the introduction of the “Reasonable Judgement Standard”. This allows players to estimate a spot, line, an area or other location under a new ruling.
“I’m also happy about the new local rules that will help prompt the pace of play in club events.
“This applies to a lost ball or an out of bounds (OB) where the relief procedure under the penalty of two strokes now allows the player to drop a ball at an estimated spot where the ball was lost,” said Boo.
“The new rules also hammer home the honour, honesty and integrity that everyone should exercise when playing the game – giving them the full authority without having to announce to his marker or another player that he or she intends to lift the ball for identification, etc,” he added.