New golf rules for 2012 : They make sense

One of the biggest golf rules changes for next year will be aboutball movement. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club announcedruleschanges Oct. 24. One of the most important is about penalizing golfers for the ball moving after it has been addressed.

 Addressing the ball refers to golfers taking a stance and are ready to hit the ball. Factors such as wind, terrain and even a rogue squirrel might cause the ball to move just as a golfer is about to hit it. Ealier rules stated a player was penalized a stroke for the ball moving even if the golfer didn't touch it before he struck the shot. This will no longer be the case from next year till 2015.

 Tour players Rory McIlroy and Webb Simpson have been caught with this rule this year. In Simpson's case, it could  have cost him the top money earner spot on the PGA Tour. Had Simpson gained an extra stroke at the Zurich Classic in May, Simpson might have gotten first place instead of second after the playoff. That difference would have been enough to make the top place on the money earner list in 2011.

 In some cases, penalizing golfers for a shot won't be necessary. If the ball is moving just as someone goes to hit it, the effect might be detrimental to the stroke. A ball already in motion will alter the trajectory before a club strikes it. A golfer hitting a ball in motion is a penalty in and of itself.

  Another important rule change involves allowing golfers to smooth over sand and dirt in front of the shot, givin it doesn't improve a stance, the ball's lie or the line of play. Another change involves redefining what addressing the ball means. Now it will be defined as simply grounding your golf club behind the ball, regardless of the stance.

 The rules changes are easy but could mean some differences for the future. Allowing a player to smooth over dirt or sand in front of the shot might improve a sight line to the hole. Of course if there is a boulder or rock in your way, smoothing over dirt won't do good. It's almost as if golfers need that rule so they can get into a routine for their golf shot. Baseball players commonly smooth over dirt in the batters box as part of their routine leading up to an at-bat. Smoothing over dirt and sand would be the same way. So all in all, i see no problem with the new changes to the rules and find them simple yet could make a big impact in some situations.