Three out-of-date golf rules which need to be scrapped in order to make the game better for amateurs

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The game of golf has numerous rules and regulations and many of them have been hot topics of discussion recently.

Professional golfers are obviously held to a higher standard than amateurs are.

So there must be a way for the the USGA and the R&A to bend the rules to make the game more enjoyable for the average player.

• Read also: Three things amateur golfers can do to improve their handicap this winter without leaving the house

There are numerous golf rules that need to be changed urgently, in order to help bring the game into the 21st century.

But which rules and regulations can be switched up to help amateur golfers actually enjoy the game more?

Three out-of-date golf rules which need to be scrapped for amateurs

99 per cent of the golfing population play for fun, nothing more.

So why should they be held to the same standards as those who are competing at the highest level of the game?

Here are three of the harshest rules in golf which need to be changed so that amateurs can enjoy themselves more out on the course.

Free drop from fairways divots is a no-brainer

Hitting a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway and walking up to your ball to find it nestled at the bottom of an old divot is arguably the most gut-wrenching feeling in the game.

Nobody should ever be punished for hitting a good golf shot, but that’s exactly what happens when you’re forced to play your ball out of a divot in the fairway.

That rule needs to be changed as a matter of urgency for amateur golfers. A free drop within six inches of the divot should be mandatory moving forward.

However, it’s understandable why this rule probably won’t be changed for professional golfers, as it would be left far too open for interpretation, i.e., what actually is a divot and what isn’t?

Stroke and distance out of bounds rule not fit for purpose

There aren’t many harsher rules in the game of golf than the out of bounds rule.

Hitting your ball out of bounds can be a complete card-wrecker.

If you hit your tee shot out of bounds, you are forced to re-tee from where you played your original shot, with a one-stroke penalty.

The fact that you get penalized with a stroke AND distance is simply not fair.

The rule needs to be changed to one or the other. Either allow amateur golfers to drop their balls at the point of entry for a one-stroke penalty or allow them to re-tee from the original position with no penalty incurred, i.e two off the tee, rather than three.

Bringing this rule into play would speed the game up as well, as nobody would ever have to walk back to the tee if they don’t find their tee shot.

Golf rules must be simplified for amateur golfers

Some golf rules are simply unfair, and the final one which needs to be changed urgently is actually absurd when you think about it.

The ridiculously harsh flooded bunker rule

Finding fairway or greenside bunkers is always a bit of a disappointment for amateur golfers.

However, there are times when a ridiculously harsh rule is imposed which makes playing out of the sand actually impossible.

If casual water has gathered in the sand, you are allowed to lift your ball out and drop it without penalty.

However, you MUST drop your ball in the sand. But what happens if your ball finds the bunker and the entire area of sand is covered by water?

Well, you have two options.

You can either attempt to play your ball out of the water or you can take a drop outside of the bunker, for a one-shot penalty.

The rule is simply unfair for amateur golfers. Bunkers completely filled with water should be deemed out of play or ground under repair, but if they’re not, a free drop should be given to any golfer who hits their ball into them.