The USGA released at the beginning of the year, the revised rules and new decisions within their “Decisions On The Rules Of Golf For 2006″. When going over the new decisions that have been made, some of them are quite interesting and can be agreed on, while others can be debated over coffee. I will briefly mention a few of the more interesting new decisions here, but a visit to the usga.org website can explain them in greater detail.

Based on Decision 4-4a/14, which pertains carrying around an extra broken club, a player would not be penalized for having more than 14 clubs if they do not used “during the round”.

Another new decision that was released was Decision 9.2/3.5 which can be used if you are playing with someone who refuses to tell you have many strokes has been taken. As a result, this player will be penalized with losing a hole, either played or completed.

Decision 1-2/7 addresses the issue in which you have made par, and your partner needs to birdie, but fails to make the hole. By pushing the ball towards your partner before it has come to a complete stop, is know longer considered exerting influence and will not result in a penalty.

But lastly, Decision 14-3a regards the legitimate use of a stretching device such as a pipe or rubber tubing that is not used to help or during the golf swing.

Of course the list of new decisions for 2006 is quite longer than the ones discussed here, and familiarizing yourself with them can only help if you find yourself in any of these circumstances. eg. Decision 25-2/8 “Ball Embedded In Teeing Ground”.