XIAMEN, China, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The China LPGA Tour (The Tour) was recognized by The R&A as China's first supporting organization on promoting the new golf rules at the 2018 Women's China Open presented by World Golf Series here in China's Fujian province.

The Tour was presented with a gold level certificate of appreciation by The R&A, which governs the sport of golf worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, on behalf of over 36 million golfers in 143 countries and regions with the consent of 155 organizations from amateur and professional golf.

For the first time, a new Player's Edition of the Rules of Golf is being introduced to provide a shorter, more user-friendly version of the rules for golfers at all levels of the sport. The new rules which will take effect globally on January 1, 2019, features the following traits: a more intuitive organization with ten simplified topical groupings; a "Purpose of the Rule" description at the top of each rule, to better define why the rule exists; easy-to-follow, full-colour diagrams and charts.

The rules modernization began in 2012, several important changes have been incorporated in the new edition. They cover such rules as the dropping procedure, measuring in taking relief, removing the penalty for a double hit and balls lost or out of bounds.

Jennifer Lee, executive director of CLPGA, said: "We are honored to receive this recognition from The R&A as the Tour has spared no effort to follow and promote the rules on and off the field. The Tour has followed the rules as well as help its members to the same."

"Promoting the rules is an important part of growing the game in China as well as around the region which we see it as part of our missions."

"The R&A has tried to modernize the rules of golf to make the game faster, simpler and more fun as well as attractive and accessible to newcomers," Lee said. "We have chosen to highlight key changes in the rew rules in video clips so that it is easier for everyone to understand regardless if he or she is an active golfer."

The new video series, A guide to the new rules of golf, produced by China LPGA Tour, features 27 installments with more than one hour of content.

Yee Lam, general manager of Bravo Digital, marketing service provider in China for the R&A, said "The well-produced video clips caught our attention because they were produced professionally presenting the new rules in an easy to understand format.

"They are trying to promote new rules as much as us. We should join force in promoting the rules of golf in China," Yee noted. "This is the first time we work with a professional tour to promote the new rules. The rules of golf are relevant to many parties at a professional game including players, coaches, caddies, course staff and the audience.

"We sincerely thank the CLPGA Tour for promoting the new rules and hopefully this initiative is a good starting point for the growth of golf in China," Yee added.