The @USGA is doing their part for pace of play!  By my count, 10 of the new rules go directly or indirectly toward improving pace of play.  Perhaps these changes are overdue, but I congratulate them on actually making substantive changes.  I suppose these are simply “proposed” at this point, but the paper on them with detailed rational and issues with existing rule is quite thorough.

1. Putting with flagstick in is ok, no penalty
2. Recommend 40 seconds to take your shot
3. Allow maximum score on a hole, enable you to “pick up” on a bad hole
4. drop ball from any height, not shoulder height so that it’s more likely to stay about where you dropped it
5. free drop for plugged ball when not on fairway
6. can repair any damage on the green in your line, no longer have to decide if it’s a “spike mark” or not
7. can’t change ball due to “out of round” nor have to ask a competitor to change ball for a crack
8. maximum 3 minutes searching for lost ball
9. can take relief out of a bunker for 2 shot penalty
10. GPS and range finders approved

I suppose 6 is a stretch, but if you have a slightly higher chance to hole a putt, you could argue play will go a little faster.

I did NOT expect so many changes, 30 total, and all have been very well thought out and explained with a universal goal toward increased pace of play and making golf easier to play.  Making play easier and faster, which makes golf more fun, is music to my ears.  It’s what 80BREAKR is all about!