Caddie Network

Caddies sound off on rule changes; a fascinating player-caddie conversation

Mark Fulcher
A conversation between Justin Rose and caddie Mark Fulcher was captured on video over the weekend and it led to a perfect shot. Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The United States Golf Association (USGA) recently announced a number of changes to the rules of golf, which will impact golfers at all skill levels. The majority of the changes are geared toward speeding up the game, which will help amateurs and professionals enjoy the game more.

As we inch closer and closer to the January 1 effective date, golfers and caddies are taking to social media to sound off on how the changes will be received. Some are even reflecting on how the changes may have helped in the past, like PGA Tour caddie Scott Sajtinac.

And, in some instances, revisiting the rules can be a helpful reminder on what you should — or should not — be doing on the course (this was tongue-in-cheek).

One of the more interesting changes involves the option of leaving the flagstick in while putting, which would have resulted in a penalty prior to the new rule. While most of us weekend hackers probably leave the flagstick in anyway, how this rule will play out on Tour remains to be seen.

Caddie Kip Henley offered a glimpse into how this might look for some players, especially after the first time the new rule backfires for a player.

Kip brings up a great point; the precision of a PGA Tour player should not be taken lightly, and the scenario he outlines is a real possibility. Despite having the option to leave the flag in, most players will likely opt to take it out for shots on and around the green.

Speaking of precision and flagsticks, the European Tour shared this conversation between Justin Rose and his caddie, Mark Fulcher, while playing last week’s Turkish Airlines Open.

While it may seem like a lot of information to hit a wedge shot, this collaboration between two of the best in the game shows exactly how much thought goes into every swing.

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