The main changes include:

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• When dropping a ball, it must be dropped from knee height.

• When taking relief of one or two club lengths, any club can be used except the putter.

• No penalty will apply for an accidental double-hit.

• The flag-stick does not have to be removed when putting.

• Spike marks and other damage can be repaired on the green.

• If a ball moves or is accidentally moved on a green it must be replaced but without penalty.

• Penalty Area is the name now given to any hazard other than a bunker.  Penalty Areas may or may not contain water.

• Loose impediments can be removed in penalty areas and bunkers.

• A club can be grounded (touch ground or water) in a penalty area.  A club can still NOT be grounded in a bunker.

• If the ball is embedded in the ground (anywhere other than in a penalty area or bunker) you are entitled to a free drop.

• The time to search for a lost ball is 3 minutes instead of 5.

• If a ball is moved during a search, it can be replaced without penalty.

• Ready Golf is to be encouraged.

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NOTE:  The new rules allow for golf clubs to apply a local rule to allow a ball to be played from where it went out of bounds, subject to a penalty of two strokes.  However, as CONGU (the governing handicap body) will not allow this rule to apply in any "official" competition most clubs will not be implementing this rule.