DAVID Howell has welcomed the changes to the rules of golf in a bid to modernise the game.

The Royal & Ancient and the United States Golf Association have announced changes to the rules, including eliminating numerous penalties and banning caddies from lining up for players.

The number of rules has been reduced from 34 to 24 in an effort to modernise and simplify the regulations.

In the revised list, the search time for missing balls has been cut from five to three minutes.

Players are now also permitted to repair spike marks on greens and may drop a ball from any height when taking relief.

Along with other changes, Howell believes anything which speeds up the game can only be a good thing.

“I was made aware of them a few weeks ago. They’ve been working on them for a few years now to make the game simpler,” said the 41-year-old.

“You’re going to be able to putt with a pin again which you used to be able to do many years ago.

“But in reality, it will just speed the amateur game up, so that is a good idea.

“A lot of the debate around it is trying to speed the game up just by a minute or two, so that’s why the time allowed to look for a ball has gone down.

“A few minutes will be saved on each round and then the only other two big ones is tapping down spike marks.

“That was one of the things people thought it was unfair that you couldn’t, that will have a reasonable effect.

“That will be quite a big change, especially at professional level.

“Generally speaking, it all makes sense. It is a great thing they are trying to simplify it and make it much easier to play by the rules.”

Howell also thinks the new rules may mean people remain interested in the game for longer due to less confusion.

“The rules of golf don’t stop people playing it, when you play socially you don’t play by the rules,” added the two-time Ryder Cup winner.

“It just comes as a shock when you play your first tournament or you’re progressing with handicaps.

“Anything to make it slightly quicker is a good thing. Golf is a frustrating game and there were a few rules which just added to the frustration.

“Lessening the frustration in any way and speeding things up is definitely positive.

“It might make it less frustrating so that those who try it might carry on playing.”