New USGA golf Rules for 2019
Regarding out of bounds or a lost ball. Instead of stroke and distance, you can drop a ball in the vicinity of where the original was lost or out of bounds, including the nearest fairway area, with a two-stroke penalty.
Another tweak: The height of your drop
The new rule stipulates drop be taken from knee height, still a significant change from the current shoulder level.
There's also no longer a penalty for a double-chip
Golfers will now just count the hit as one stroke.
No more penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the green. You are still penalized, however, if it is "virtually certain" you caused it to move on purpose.
You can putt with the flagstick in
You can repair all the spike marks your heart desires As well as repair animal or other damage on the green.
Another penalty removed: touching the line of the putt
You can now move impediments in bunkers and water hazards
There's also no penalty for touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
In the sand, however, you cannot ground the club right next to the ball.
However, if you're "generally" touching the sand with the club, that's OK.
An extra relief option has been added for an unplayable ball in a bunker. You can play the ball to be outside the sand with a two-stroke penalty.
You also are no longer required to announce when you are lifting a ball to identify or see if it's damaged
You're no longer allowed five minutes to look for a lost ball
Your search party now has three minutes.
And a player can take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke