Some modifications to the rules (to help simplify and speed up play) are being introduced from 2019.  Read about some of them here.

Please note that despite rumours to the contrary there are no plans at present to change the rule on playing out of a divot/pitch mark.  You will still have to ‘play it as it lies’ in such situations.

One potential rule change (stroke and distance) will be down to the discretion of each local club.  You may be able to drop another ball in the vicinity of where your ball was lost or went out of bounds i.e. rather than playing 3 from the tee, 4 from the same spot as your 2nd etc.  This will be at the discretion of each club so check with the match secretary or members of each golf club that you play at. The number of penalty strokes will not change (2 shot penalty) but it may help prevent multiple penalty shots (i.e. 5 off the tee etc)…..