The following are the main changes to the Rules of Golf taking effect January 1, 2019 that are expected to have the most impact on the game and to be of most interest to golfers. Ball at Rest Ball Moved During Search No penalty for accidentally moving your ball during search. No Penalty for Moving Ball on the Putting Green No penalty for accidentally moving your ball or ball-marker on the putting green. Standard for Deciding Why a Ball Moved New standard to determine if you caused your ball to m...