[Texas Wedge]

From the letter sent to me by the USGA members program with the new rule book ...

While the fundamental principals remain unchanged from the first edition of "The Rules of Golf" compiled in 1744, the changes to the Rules generally fall into two broad categories: (1) those that improve the clarity of the Rules and (2) those that reduce the penalties in certain circumstances to ensure that they are proportionate.

It's a good thing the USGA is willing to QUESTION the rules to see if they can improve them in some way. Otherwise we'd be playing with the same rules they started with in 1744.

I don't think people are saying the rules are stupid and everything should be made easier so that there are basically no penalties in golf. They're just looking at certain rules and trying to gauge the appropriateness as it pertains to certain situations. They're looking for ways to possibly improve the game even more. That said, I (and probably everyone else) am content to play by the rules as they are now. But I am glad the USGA considers the rules every year and attempts to improve them on the behalf of all golfers.