News
USGA, R&A release clarification on controversial caddie alignment rule
After high profile rulings in recent weeks, the USGA and R&A have been forced to make clear Rule 10.2b(4) which in the recent modernization of the rules, aimed to prevent caddie alignment of players.
On Wednesday, in a joint statement, the organizations stated
“The purpose of Rule 10.2 is to reinforce the fundamental challenge of making a stroke and to limit the advice and other help a player may receive during a round. Rule 10.2b(4) ensures that aiming at the intended target is a challenge that the player must overcome alone.”
In Dubai last month, Haotong Li fell foul of the rule while lining up a putt on the 18th green, and at last week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, Denny McCarthy was penalized under rule 10.2b, after his caddie aligned him prior to an approach shot. That penalty was later rescinded as McCarthy had backed off to reset after his caddie had aligned him, and in future, resetting will prevent any potential punishment.
The USGA and R&A’s clarifications:
- Meaning of “Begins Taking a Stance for the Stroke”: If a player backs away from a stance, the player is not considered to have begun “a stance for the stroke.” Therefore, a player can now back away from his or her stance anywhere on the course and avoid a breach of Rule 10.2b(4) if the caddie had been standing in a location behind the ball.
- Examples of When a Caddie is Not “Deliberately” Standing Behind the Ball When a Player Begins Taking Stance for Stroke: As written, the Rule does not apply if a caddie is not deliberately standing behind a player. It is clarified that the term “deliberately” requires a caddie to be aware that 1) the player is beginning to take a stance for the stroke to be played and 2) he or she (the caddie) is standing on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball.
Several examples are given in the clarification to provide additional guidance.
A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.
As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.
Let’s get to the gifts.
Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo
We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.
STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover
If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.
Why Golf: Putting Thing
When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.
OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes
Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!
Therabody Theragun Relief
A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.
World Cup golf apparel
Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.
FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes
Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.
Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker
Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.
It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.
Check out links to all our albums below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ryan Palmer – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
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- Alvaro Ortiz – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Russell Knox – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ian Holt – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Mitchell Meissner – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Travis Trace – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Bryce Lewis – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
Pullout Albums
Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.
From the listing:
Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.
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David Mattner
Feb 7, 2019 at 6:43 pm
I would think the role of a caddie is to discuss the players swing, alignment during and after a game of golf. If i was a caddie i would expect tostand behind the player when they are hitting the shot to provide feedback AFTER the swing has been completed. During the round i might say the golfer is aiming slightly right and the player can make adjustments. I just assumed that what players and caddies discuss during a round. Or the caddie may provide feedbacl to the coach about any number of things inc alignment. But that doesnt mean i will be aligning the player during the stroke. Its a gre yarea and i can’t help but think how many meetings there have been to discuss rule changes to only have a grey area like this. frustrating.
Leftshot
Feb 7, 2019 at 11:13 am
This rule doesn’t affect most of us. We don’t have caddies! For the pros, there are 7 ways from Sunday toprkvide alignment help without breaking the new rule as clarified. The caddie could align the player, the player presses down with his feet leaving an indentation, backs away, then resets with his caddie now to his side. The caddie could pick out two points on the tee box and say put your toes here, then pull away. There are many possibilities and it seems the rule-making bodies haven’t thought of any of them, or thinks golfers are too dumb to come up with them.
Regis
Feb 7, 2019 at 10:49 am
Every new rule in golf or in everyday life is a result of people seeking unfair advantage. There are golfers who travel with a caddie, a swing coach, a nutritionist, and a fitness coach all with the purpose of executing a golf swing at a critical time. The new rule was put in to curb abuses and everybody saw those abuses drawing criticism from avid golfers and fans. The initial rulings may at first be misapplied but it will eventually find a level of reasonable interpretation. That’s the nature of new rules
mark
Feb 7, 2019 at 9:50 am
What is so difficult? The player and caddie stand behind the ball, look/discuss what the line or aim point is. The caddie moves, the player approaches his/her ball, sets up. and swings.
Rory O Donnell
Feb 7, 2019 at 2:33 am
What about blind people who need assistance lining up there shots.
Charles Cartwright
Feb 6, 2019 at 7:01 pm
This could easily be clarified just to say the caddie may not be on the line of the stroke when the club is behind the ball.
No more interpretation. Problem solved.
HKO
Feb 6, 2019 at 6:56 pm
soon PGA becoming like NFL—marshals stop game every 2 mins to discuss who did what. ads come in.
Dave
Feb 6, 2019 at 6:47 pm
This is still the worse written rule ever. The wording including “advice and other help” “aiming” leaves so much open to interpretation. E.g. cadie Behind player says take it off the right trap. They have assisted in aiming. I thought the pro elm was they wanted to illuminate caddies assisting in alignment. So just say that in the purpose. Is this the first time these guys wrote a rule or policy
Tom
Feb 6, 2019 at 5:48 pm
USGA has let equipment (ball) get completely out of hand…now stupid rules like dropping a knee height, grounding clubs in hazards….what’s next, dog and cats playing together???
15th Club
Feb 6, 2019 at 6:33 pm
Lol.
Can I tell you about all of the GolfWRX members who hate the USGA, because of the threat that there might be a ball rollback? And who sneered at the Rules enforcement against a player whose club barely brushed the sand on takeaway in a fairway bunker?
The drop rule is so simple. Lower your arm to hold the ball just above your knee and drop it. The new rule lessens the likelihood that a re-drop may be needed.
I read the anti-USGA comments and just shake my head.
James
Feb 7, 2019 at 2:31 am
Yes, because moving five to ten grains of sand is something you (or I) as a player can feel. Clear -intent- of improving her lie there in that instance.
It’s not that (some) of us sneer at the rules, we sneer at the stupidity with which they’re applied. (See: USGA over-ruling their own rule about ref’s assigned to a group having the final say about DJ moving the ball *forward* by touching the ground *behind* the ball)
Greg V
Feb 6, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Right, so we get the caddy standing behind his player problem fixed.
Now, go back to the old rule about leaving the pin in- can’t do it on the putting green – for elite players. Elite players: you know who you are.
And, btw, if you want elite players to play faster, enforce time limits.