Golf’s

rule makers have been struck with a bout of common sense regarding the rule changes for 2019.

Decisions like being able to putt with the flag in and being allowed to remove objects from bunkers are good moves. Reducing the time looking for a ball from five minutes to three, and introducing a local rule whereby you can drop a ball in the area where the previous one was lost – for a two-shot penalty – are also very sensible.

The overall effect of this should be to speed up the average round. No-one should now have to make that demoralising and timeconsuming walk back to play three off the tee.

The rule about dropping the ball at knee height is a bit gimmicky, but it means drops should be more favourable and the game can crack on.

The reality is that The R&A and USGA are formalising rules that have been used – informally, anyway – and won’t radically alter the game.