USGA and R&A considering new rule changes for the 2020

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Updated: March 2, 2017

Get ready for arguably the biggest shake up to the Rules of Golf in generations.

The R&A and USGA are set to introduce a plethora of revised rules that will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. It will be an attempt to simplify the code by which the game is played and has been played.

Among the revised rules under consideration are: Reducing the search time for lost balls from five minutes to three; allowing players to repair spike marks on greens; allowing players to drop a ball from any height when taking relief rather than the current stipulation of shoulder height; more of an emphasis on using red stakes for water hazards while still allowing yellow stakes.