New rules meant to be make golf faster, fairer and simpler

FILE PHOTO: Dec 7, 2018; Naples, FL, USA; Emiliano Grillo positions the ball for a putt during the 30th annual QBE Shootout Pro round two at Tiburón Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Srijita Chattopadhyay/Naples Daily News via USA TODAY NETWORK

(Reuters) - The New Year will usher in dozens of new rules in the biggest revamp of golf regulations in decades, even if at the recreational level it is more a case of catching up to what many casual players have been doing for years anyway.

Formulated by the U.S. Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Club of St. Andrews, with input from professional bodies including the PGA Tour, the rules should among other things speed up the game.