The USGA and The R&A have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, to be implemented on 1 January 2019.

The USGA and The R&A finalised golf’s new Rules this month after an extensive review that included a request for feedback from the global golf community on the proposed changes. Golfers can now access the official 2019 Rules of Golf by visiting www.RandA.org or www.usga.org/rules.

The process to modernise the Rules began in 2012 and was initiated to ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body, Golf Canada worked alongside The R&A and the USGA on the Rules modernisation initiative.

While the majority of proposed Rules remain intact in the final version, several important changes to the initial proposals and further clarification of many Rules were incorporated.

The most significant adjustments made following the review of feedback received from golfers around the world, includes:

• Dropping procedure: When taking relief (from an abnormal course condition or penalty area, for example), golfers will now drop from knee height. This will ensure consistency and simplicity in the dropping process while also preserving the randomness of the drop. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested dropping from any height).
• Measuring in taking relief: The golfer’s relief area will be measured by using the longest club in their bag (other than a putter) to measure one club-length or two club-lengths, depending on the situation, making for a consistent process for golfers to establish their relief area. (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested a 20-inch or 80-inch standard measurement).
• Removing the penalty for a double hit: The penalty stroke for accidentally striking the ball more than once in the course of a stroke has been removed. Golfers will simply count the one stroke they made to strike the ball.  (Key change: the proposed Rules released in 2017 included the existing one-stroke penalty).
• Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance: A new Local Rule will now be available in January 2019, permitting committees to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. This Local Rule addresses the concerns raised at the club level about the negative impact on pace of play when a player is required to go back under stroke and distance. The Local Rule is not intended for higher levels of play, such as professional or elite level competitions. (Key change:  this is a new addition to support pace of play)

“We’re thankful for the golfers, administrators and everyone in the game who took the time to provide us with great insight and thoughtful feedback,” said USGA Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status, Thomas Pagel. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new Rules ahead of their education and implementation.”

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We are pleased to be introducing the new Rules of Golf after a collaborative and wide-ranging review process which has embraced the views of golfers, rules experts and administrators worldwide. We believe that the new Rules are more in tune with what golfers would like and are easier to understand and apply for everyone who enjoys playing this great game.”

“The approach and process to modernise the Rules was critical to make meaningful changes that are relevant to all golfers worldwide beginning in 2019,” said Golf Canada Director of Rules, Competitions & Amateur Status, Adam Helmer. “We are confident that the outcome of this important initiative will be well received and we will work closely with our club, provincial and national partners to inform and educate Canadian golfers.”

Major proposals introduced in 2017 that have been incorporated into the modernised Rules include:

• Elimination or reduction of “ball moved” penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that he or she did so.
• Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.
• Relaxed rules for “penalty areas” (currently called “water hazards”): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
• Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.
• Relying on player integrity: A player’s “reasonable judgment” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.
• Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of “ready golf” in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play.

Presented in digital, text-based form today, the new Rules will also now be translated into more than 30 languages and readied for final delivery via print and digital formats, including searchable Rules of Golf official apps developed by The R&A and the USGA. The full version of the new Rules of Golf in French will be available soon and posted on Golf Canada’s Rules of Golf website at  http://golfcanada.ca/rules-of-golf/

Three important publications, to be distributed this September, will help players and officials, who regulate the game, and provide interpretation and guidance in how the Rules are applied:

• The Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf: An abridged, user-friendly set of the Rules with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, and diagrams. Written in the “second person,” The Player’s Edition is intended to be the primary publication for golfers.
• The Rules of Golf: The full edition of the Rules will be written in the third person and will include illustrations. The Rules of Golf is intended to be the primary publication for officials.
• The Official Guide to the Rules of Golf: This “guidebook” replaces the Decisions book and will contain information to best support committees and officials. It includes interpretations on the Rules, Committee procedures (available local rules and information on establishing the terms of the competition), and the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities. It is a “long-form” resource document intended as a supplementary publication.

More than 30 “how-to apply” videos and a summary of the principal changes are now available at www.RandA.org and www.usga.org/rules.  Additional education tools will be released in September.

Players are reminded that the current edition of the Rules of Golf (2016) must be applied when playing, posting scores or competing for the remainder of 2018. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and the USGA’s efforts to modernise golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Emmett Oh made the biggest move among Top-10 golfers, picking up 63 spots in world rankings and moving from No. 10 up to No. 7 in Canadian rankings.

Myles Creighton males his Top-10 debut, gaining 44 spots in the world rankings after finishing eighth at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate. It was his fourth top 10 result in six tournaments and the 12th of his collegiate career. It also moved the Nova Scotia golfer into the Top 10, settling in at No. 9. The result also earned him Big South Golfer of the Week honours.

Biggest move: Noah Steele gained 642 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 25th at the Louisiana Classics. It’s the fourth Top 25 result for the sophomore from Kingston, Ont. who is playing his collegiate golf at Sam Houston State.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Jaclyn Lee made the biggest move among the Top-10, picking up 28 spots after picking up her second career collegiate win in record fashion. The Golf Canada National Squad member carded a final round 64, to break the Ohio State school record by one stroke, en route to a win at the Westbrook Spring Invite. The former Alberta Ladies Amateur champion also picked up Big Ten Conference Golfer of the Week honours while breaking into the Top 100 in the world rankings for the first time in her collegiate career.

Top ranked Maddie Szeryk maintained her No. 32 world ranking after finishing in a tie for sixth at The Dickson. It was the sixth time in seven starts that the Golf Canada National Squad member has recorded a top 10 finish.

Biggest Move: Mackenzie Butzer gained 343 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 15th at the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Top ranked Adam Hadwin gained five world ranking points after finishing in a tie for ninth at the WGC-Mexico Championship. It was his second top 10 result in the last three weeks and his third top 10 finish in six starts this season. The result was worth 10.08 world ranking points and pushed the Abbotsford, B.C. golfer up to No. 44 in the rankings, which equals his career high.

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Brooke Henderson picked up one place in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for second at the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore. The result saw the top ranked Canadian pick up 18.21 world ranking points, moving her up to No. 13 in the world. It was also her third top 10 result in four starts this year.

Other Notable Results: No. 2 Alena Sharp finished in a tie for 60th at HSBC Women’s World Championship

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

The R&A and the USGA have completed the annual review of driving distance in golf, producing a research report that documents and evaluates important findings from the 2017 season.

Introduced in 2015, the annual report examines driving distance data from seven of the major worldwide professional golf tours, based on nearly 300,000 drives per year. The data from studies of male and female amateur golfers is also included.

The 2015 and 2016 editions of the distance report presented the increases in driving distance since 2003 as a slow creep of around 0.2 yards per year. The 2017 data shows a deviation from this trend. The average distance gain across the seven worldwide tours was more than 3 yards since 2016.

As noted in previous annual reports, variability in driving distance of 4 or more yards from season to season on any one tour is not uncommon. However, this level of increase across so many tours in a single season is unusual and concerning and requires closer inspection and monitoring to fully understand the causes and effects.

As the review of this issue progresses, The R&A and the USGA remain committed to the spirit of the 2002 Joint Statement of Principles which recognise that distance impacts many aspects of golf and that any further significant increases in hitting distances at the highest level are undesirable.

Increases in distance can contribute to demands for longer, tougher and more resource-intensive golf courses at all levels of the game. These trends can impact the costs to operate golf courses and put additional pressures on golf courses in their local environmental landscape. The effect of increasing distance on the balance between skill and technology is also a key consideration. Maintaining this balance is paramount to preserving the integrity of golf.

Building on the extensive research we have undertaken in recent years, we will conduct a thoughtful conversation about the effects of distance prior to making any specific proposals. We remain open-minded and our absolute priority is to ensure that all key stakeholders are involved in an open and inclusive process and that we move forward together in the best interests of golf at all levels. There is no fixed timetable but we will commence this process immediately and endeavour to reach a conclusion as promptly as possible.

In conjunction with the publication of the 2017 distance research report, The R&A and USGA are carrying out a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of increased distance on both the playing and overall health of golf.

The R&A and the USGA intend to consolidate previous work conducted by the two organisations, as well as others in the golf industry, regarding the effect of distance on the footprint and playing of the game, conduct new research on these same topics to augment the current state of knowledge of the issues, and, most importantly, in the coming months, engage with stakeholders throughout the golf industry to develop a comprehensive understanding of perspectives on distance. Additional information on this stakeholder engagement will be made available in due course.

Ultimately, The R&A and the USGA remain steadfastly committed to ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable future for golf.

Download the 2017 Distance Report.

If ever there was a right person at the right time, it must be Leslie Dunning.

Dunning, Golf Canada’s new president, couldn’t have constructed a more appropriate resume for the position if she had started with it in mind all her life.

Golf credentials? Check.

She was introduced to the game by a forward-thinking teacher at her high school in Mississauga, Ont., who wanted to provide her students with skills they could use throughout life. Unlike team sports, golf could be enjoyed as an individual.

“That gave me confidence,” she recalled during a conversation following her ascendance to the presidency in February. “I don’t think I would have ever stepped on a golf course if I hadn’t had that early exposure to the game.”

Based on her experience, Dunning understandably is a strong proponent of Golf Canada’s Future Links and Golf in Schools program. “I would like to see a [Golf in Schools] kit in every school in the country and that every golf course is connected to at least one school.”

After moving to Calgary with her husband Neill in 1991, she became involved in the junior program at Earl Grey Golf Club where they are members.

Appropriate related background? Check.

Dunning holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Queen’s University. She is a chartered professional accountant and certified management accountant. She was selected to the Governor-General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, was Canada’s representative on the World Health Organization’s study to the Navaho Reserve, and was named an honoured alumna by the University of Waterloo.

Volunteerism? Check.

Dunning first volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross as a high-school student. That continued as she moved on to the University of Waterloo. After graduation, she joined the international humanitarian organization full-time, serving more than 36 years in various senior positions. When she retired in 2014, she was Director General, Violence and Abuse Prevention, for Canada.

Her involvement at Earl Grey led to positions on the club captain’s committee and subsequently various roles as a volunteer with Alberta Golf, including serving as president in 2007 and 2008. It was during 2008 that she was asked to assist in Golf Canada’s governance reform efforts. The following year, she was elected to Golf Canada’s Board of Directors as the first Provincial Council Chair. Since then, she has served on and chaired many of the national association’s committees.

Since achieving her national Rules of Golf certification, she has officiated at numerous local, provincial and national events.

Understanding of golf’s challenges? Check.

While with the Canadian Red Cross, Dunning championed significant initiatives such as Indigenous engagement and cross-cultural training. That experience stood her in good stead as she was selected to lead a Golf Canada working group to develop the association’s new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

“There is tremendous diversity among golfers and there are numerous diverse groups that have organized themselves to play golf,” she said in her speech to the Golf Canada annual general meeting in Calgary.  “We want to engage with these groups, learn what they are doing, how we might support them and what we might do together. As we identify these groups, we will reach out to build relationships with them, helping us to understand their needs and interests.  It is our aim to create greater relevancy to more golfers and ensure welcoming environments for all.”

This outreach is not just to golfers, prospective Golf Canada members who want to play the game, Dunning said in our interview, but to welcome those who would like to get involved as volunteers, officials, on provincial and national committees and Boards, etc.

“Two of our Board’s main objectives are to make sure that Golf Canada is relevant and sustainable. Inclusion will help to ensure that programs and services are relevant to all golfers and financial health will help to ensure sustainability for the future.  We understand that our focus on priorities such as diversity and inclusion isn’t just like flicking a light switch. It’s a real cultural shift. And we are committed to that purpose.”

When we spoke, Dunning was in Florida getting ready to head to a meeting. When asked if that meeting was on the first tee at a nearby golf course, she chuckled. “No, it’s not.”

Actually, she was heading out to tour a golf development centre and then attending the annual meeting of the United States Golf Association.

“You’re the president for only one year so I am trying to make sure that every day I’m doing something to grow the game of golf in Canada. That’s my mantra.”

Dedicated? Driven? Absolutely.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Joey Savoie needed a playoff before picking up the win at the recent Grant Clements Memorial Tournament in New Zealand. The result highlighted what has been a successful Australian swing for the Golf Canada National Squad member, which included a top 10 finish at the Australian Master of the Amateurs and making it all the way to the quarterfinals in match play at the NSW Amateur Championship.

One of the biggest moves of the week was made outside the Top-10 as No. 11 Myles Creighton picked up 60 spots in the world rankings.

Andrew Harrison makes his top 20 debut in the Canadian rankings, moving past Golf Canada Development Squad member Johnny Travale to occupy the No. 20 spot. Harrison is coming off a third place finish at the ACU Spring Invitational earlier this month which kicked off the spring portion of the UBC golf schedule.

Biggest move: Carter Graf gained 556 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for second at the Latin American Junior Classics.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Michelle Ruiz made a pair of big moves among Top-10 ranked golfers, gaining 99 spots in the world rankings after finishing third at the Lady Moc Golf Classic. That result enabled her to makes the leap from No. 10 up to No. 6 in the Canadian rankings. It was the fourth consecutive top five finish for the senior at Nova Southern University, who currently ranks as the No. 3 player in NCAA Division II golf.

Golf Canada National Squad member Grace St-Germain picked up another two places in the world rankings after finishing 13th at the JU Amelia Island Collegiate. The Ottawa golfer has gained a total of 20 spots in the world rankings over the last two weeks.

There was some significant shuffling outside the Top-10. Julia Champion goes from No. 19 up to No. 16 after picking up 80 places in the world rankings after finishing tied for 19th at the Rio Verde Invitational.

Kelsey Sear makes her Top 20 debut after gaining 53 places in the world rankings, taking over the No. 19 spot in the Canadian rankings while pushing Golf Canada Development Squad member Ellie Szeryk out of the Top 20.

Biggest Move: Kathy Lim gained 143 places in the world rankings after finishing tied for 40th at the Moon Golf Invitational.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Top ranked Adam Hadwin picked up a single place in the world rankings to move into the top 50 in the world. Despite taking the week off, Jhonattan Vegas’ slip after finishing tied for 72nd at The Honda Classic enabled Hadwin to move up to No. 49, just five spots away from his career best.

No. 2 Graham DeLaet picked up two places in the world rankings, temporarily putting ending a run that had seen him lose places in six of the first seven weeks. The former Presidents Cup player has been sidelined since undergoing stem-cell treatment on his problematic back. His return at this point is still uncertain.

Other notable results: No.3 Mackenzie Hughes finished tied for 59th at PGA Honda Classic; No. 6 Benjamin Silverman missed the cut at PGA Honda Classic;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Brooke Henderson maintained her No. 14 world ranking after finishing in a tie for seventh at the Honda LPGA Thailand event. The result saw Henderson gain 4.07 world ranking points

Other Notable Results: No. 2 Alena Sharp finished tied for 56th at Honda LPGA Thailand;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

St Andrews, Scotland- A significant growth opportunity exists for golf if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport more often according to a new research report published by The R&A.

Many countries are seeing a fall in the number of both males and females playing golf and the research report analyses the factors which affect whole family participation in the sport, including women and girls, and details a number of useful practical recommendations for national golf bodies and golf clubs to help them encourage more women and girls to play.

The R&A commissioned the International Institute for Golf Education to carry out the research, which brings together the findings of existing academic and industry research with the individual views of a wide-ranging group of golf experts.

The key themes identified in the report, which was produced by Dr. John Fry and Philip Hall, include:

• The importance of establishing the optimum environment for family participation by being aware of the make-up of the modern family
• A direct link between equality in sports participation and wider measures of gender equality such as women in influential decision-making positions in golf
• That parents are the chief factor underpinning families’ likelihood to play golf and that their motivations for their children taking part include having fun, improving health and developing friendships
• The increasing desire for golf to provide opportunities for socialising and to be adaptable and flexible given the time and cost constraints placed on the modern family
• The need for the sport to evolve to meet the demands of contemporary society and for clubs to encourage memorable events for their customers, as that memory itself or the ‘experience’, is increasingly replacing the ‘product’ of playing golf

The research reflects The R&A’s continued drive to encourage more women, girls and families to play golf more regularly, working with its affiliates around the world to enhance golf’s appeal.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The research demonstrates there is a tremendous opportunity for golf to grow its participation numbers and generate more income if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport.

“We know that more work needs to be done to achieve this outcome at a time when there are concerns about declining participation levels and this report provides useful actions and guidance for our affiliates and clubs that can lead to tangible, positive outcomes for golf.”

Dr John Fry, added, “The report brings together for the first time in one place the key academic and industry research articles conducted on family sports participation.

“The process involved searching scientific databases containing more than one million citations, peer-reviewed research papers and selecting the most appropriate evidence based studies that can help underpin strategies to increase participation in golf.

“The research is supplemented with case studies of best practice, analysis from a number of industry experts and offers a series of practical actions which golf clubs can adopt.”

The full report on ‘Women’s, Girls’ and Family Participation in Golf: An Overview of Existing Research (2018)’ can be viewed here. Click here for the R&A research summary

A video interview with Dr John Fry of the International Institute for Golf Education can be viewed below.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Matt Williams gained eight places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 25th at The All American.

Despite a four place drop in the world rankings, Lawren Rowe finished in a tie for fourth in his first tournament of 2018, the ACU Spring Invitational. It was his fifth straight top 10 result and the fourth-year player at the University of Victoria now finds himself as the No. 8 ranked player in Canada.

Blair Bursey, who took over the No. 9 ranking in Canada, made the biggest move among the Top-10, picking up 11 places in the world rankings.

Biggest move: Noah Steele from Kingston, Ont., a sophomore at Sam Houston State, gained 943 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 35th at the The All American.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Grace St-Germain made the biggest move among the Top-10, picking up 18 places in the world rankings. The Golf Canada National Team member moves up to No. 4 in Canadian rankings.

Biggest Move: Annie Yang of Vancouver gained 259 spots in the world ranking after finishing in a tie for 30th and helping BYU women’s golf to a second place team result at The Gold Rush.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Adam Hadwin had the biggest gain among the Top-10, picking up seven places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for sixth at the Genesis Open. It was his second top 10 result of the PGA season and the result was worth 11.16 world ranking points. It was his second largest points-paying finish of the year and the fifth straight event that he has scored world ranking points.

Other notable results: No. 4 Nick Taylor finished tied 41st at PGA Genesis Open; No. 6 Benjamin Silverman finished tied 53rd at PGA Genesis Open;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Despite missing the cut at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, Canada’s top ranked pro Brooke Henderson maintained her No. 14 world ranking.

The news was not as good for No. 2 Alena Sharp, who slipped a spot in the world rankings after also missing the cut in Australia.

No. 5 Brittany Marchand, who has limited membership on the LPGA Tour this year, made the biggest move inside the Top-10, picking up five places in the world rankings.

Other Notable Results: No 4 Anne-Catherine Tanguay missed the cut at LPGA ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

USGA and The R&A Release Key Features
Golf Canada to adopt all features of the proposed new World Handicap System

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and ST ANDREWS, Scotland: The R&A and the USGA announce key features of the proposed new World Handicap System (WHS), designed to provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability globally.

The idea for a new, unified system was conceived by the USGA and The R&A and developed following an extensive review of systems administered by six existing handicapping authorities – Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The new system will feature the following:

• Flexibility in formats of play, allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes and ensuring a golfer’s handicap is more reflective of potential ability.
• A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; a recommendation that the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap be 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds, but with some discretion available for handicapping authorities or National Associations to set a different minimum within their own jurisdiction.
• A consistent handicap that is portable from course to course and country to country through worldwide use of the USGA Course and Slope Rating System, already successfully used in more than 80 countries.
• An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of previous demonstrated ability for better responsiveness and control.
• A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day.
• Daily handicap revisions, taking account of the course and weather conditions calculation.
• A limit of Net Double Bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only).
• A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game.

Quantitative research was conducted in 15 countries around the world, through which 76 percent of the 52,000 respondents voiced their support for a World Handicap System, 22 percent were willing to consider its benefits, and only 2% were opposed. This was followed by a series of focus groups, in which more than 300 golf administrators and golfers from different regions around the world offered extensive feedback on the features of the proposed new system.

This feedback has helped shape the WHS, which has been developed by the USGA and The R&A with support from each handicapping authority as well as the Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada.

Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, commented, “For some time, we’ve heard golfers say ‘I’m not good enough to have a handicap,” or ‘I don’t play enough to have a handicap.’ We want to make the right decisions now to encourage a more welcoming and social game. We’re excited to be taking another important step – along with modernizing Golf’s Rules – to provide a pathway into the sport, making golf easier to understand and more approachable and enjoyable for everyone to play.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are working with our partners and National Associations to make golf more modern, more accessible and more enjoyable as a sport and the new World Handicap System represents a huge opportunity in this regard.

“We want to make it more attractive to golfers to obtain a handicap and strip away some of the complexity and variation which can be off-putting for newcomers. Having a handicap, which is easier to understand and is truly portable around the world, can make golf much more enjoyable and is one of the unique selling points of our sport.”

Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada Chief Executive Officer added, “We are proud to have worked collaboratively with our partners at the R&A, USGA and other golf federations throughout the research process and development of a World Handicap System. We are fully committed to adopting the system and believe it will have a meaningful impact on the Canadian golf experience.”

The tenets of the new system focus on three main objectives: to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap; to enable golfers of differing abilities, genders and nationalities to transport their handicap to any course globally and compete on a fair and equitable basis; and to indicate with sufficient accuracy the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.

Given worldwide alignment towards a single system, all parties will now embark on a two-year transition period targeting implementation in 2020. When adopted, the World Handicap System will be governed by the USGA and The R&A and administered locally by the six existing authorities and National Associations around the world, with safeguards included to ensure consistency as well as adaptability to differing golf cultures.

The six handicapping authorities represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

The announcement is the latest step in a multi-year collaboration between The R&A and the USGA, handicap authorities and national and regional golf associations around the world to introduce one set of Rules for handicapping, aimed to support modernizing, growing and supporting accessibility of the sport.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and USGA’s efforts to implement a World Handicap System.

To provide feedback on the new World Handicap System, visit www.usga.org or www.RandA.org.

Learn more about the World Handicap System here.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Hugo Bernard begins his sixth consecutive week atop the Canadian Amateur Rankings, picking up four places in the world rankings. The Golf Canada National Team member now sits at a career-best No. 59 in the world.

Fellow National Team member Josh Whalen made the biggest move among the Top 10, gaining five places in the world rankings.

Biggest move: Andrew Nagel from Elmvale, Ont.gained 527 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 24th at the Titan Winter Invitational.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Top ranked Maddie Szeryk slipped out of the Top 30 in the world rankings for the first time in six weeks despite finishing tied for 15th in her first tournament since the winter break, the Florida State Match-Up. It was the first time in six events that the Golf Canada National Team member has failed to record a top-10 result this year.

Golf Canada National Development Squad member Celeste Dao made the biggest move among the Top-10, gaining 11 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 12th at the AJGA Buick Shanshan Feng Girls Invitational.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Roger Sloan made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up six places in the world ranking after finishing in a tie for 16th at the Web.com Tour Club Colombia Championship. The result was worth 1.22 world ranking points and marked his second consecutive points-paying finish after missing the cut in each of his first two Web.com Tour starts. Over the course of the last two weeks, Sloan has gained 111 spots in the world rankings.

Adam Svensson gained three places in the world rankings despite having to withdraw from the Web.com Tour event in Bogota.

Other notable results: No. 3 Mackenzie Hughes, No. 4 Nick Taylor, No. 6 Benjamin Silverman No. 7 David Hearn all missed the cut at PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; No. 5 Austin Connelly finished 80th at the European Tour ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Only top ranked Brooke Henderson and No. 5 Brittany Marchand were able to maintain their standing in the world rankings as everyone else in the Top 10 slipped back.

Henderson, No. 2 Alena Sharp and No. 4 Anne-Catherine Tanguay are all in the field for the LPGA’s ISPS Handa Woman’s Australian Open, which starts Valentines Day.

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.