Darrell Davis: Get ready for better golf

Golf is making some good rule changes, starting with ready-golf, the notion that you can hit your ball when it’s safe and you’re ready.

Several professionals lauded the changes made by golf’s governing bodies, but Saskatchewan-born Graham DeLaet believes the pro tour should have rules that are different from amateur rules.

Some sports have variety in their basic rules — pro basketball players don’t foul out ‘til six fouls; amateur baseball allowed aluminum bats; few minor sports have any video challenges.

Part of the joy of golf is knowing we’re playing the same courses and using the same rules as the world’s best players. These new rules are intended to simplify the game; they don’t punish players for accidentally hitting themselves or forgetting to pull the flagstick, mostly things that happen to amateur players. So there’s already a difference because pro golfers know the game’s rules. We don’t.