R&A Rules of Golf

Principal Changes Introduced in the 2023 Rules of Golf

From the R&A USGA Rules of Golf

Rule 1.3c(4)

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Applying Penalties to Multiple Breaches of the Rules

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The Rule has been amended so that determining whether breaches are related or unrelated.

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If a player breaches a Rule with one penalty stroke, becomes aware of that breach and then breaches the same Rule or a different Rule with one penalty stroke, the player gets both penalties for a total of two penalty strokes.

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Example:  A player lifts their ball in the general area to identify it without marking the spot of the ball.  Another player tells the player about the penalty and that they get one penalty stroke under Rule 7.3.  Before replacing the ball, the player cleans the ball more than necessary to identify it, also in breach of Rule 7.3.  When the player was made aware of the first penalty, that was an intervening event and so the player also gets one penalty stroke for cleaning the ball, which means that the player gets two penalty strokes in total.

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If a player breaches a Rule without becoming aware of that breach and then breaches the same Rule or another Rule in playing their ball, the player gets only one penalty.

 

Example:  In stroke play, a player takes relief from an immovable obstruction near a putting green but mistakenly drops a ball in a wrong place.  Before playing the ball, the player removes sand on their line of play in the general area in breach of Rule 8.1a and then makes a stroke from the wrong place.  As there was no intervening event between the removal of the sand and playing the ball from the wrong place, the player gets only one general penalty of two strokes.

 

For the purpose of applying this Rule, there are two intervening events:

• The completion of a stroke, and

• Being aware or becoming aware of a breach of a Rule (this includes when a player knows they breached a Rule, when the player is told of a breach, or when the player is uncertain whether or not they have breached a Rule).

 

To be an intervening event in 1.3c(4), it's just the player themselves making a stroke that counts, though in foursomes, it would be the side. A stroke made by any other player would not be an intervening event.

 

Rule 3.3b(4)

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Player Not Responsible for Showing Handicap on Scorecard or Adding Up Scores

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The Rule has been amended so that a player is no longer required to show their handicap on their scorecard.  The Committee is responsible for calculating the player's handicap strokes for the competition and using that to calculate the player's net score.

 

However, Heydon Committee may choose to modify Rule 3.3b (4) to require players to show their handicap on the scorecard, specify which handicap to be shown and require players to calculate their scores.  Check the rules of the competition on how to complete your card before submitting your card.

 

Rule 4.1a(2)

 

Use, Repair or Replacement of Club Damaged During Round

 

The Rule has been amended to allow a player to replace a damaged club, provided the club has not been damaged through abuse.

 

But you must take the damaged club out of play.

 

Rule 6.3b(3)

 

Substitution of “Another Ball” While Playing a Hole

 

The penalty for playing an incorrectly substituted ball has been reduced from the general penalty to one penalty stroke.

 

Example:  If you have been asked by another player to move your ball because it is in the way of their stroke and then, rather than replace the original ball, you replace it with a different ball, there is a one stroke penalty.

 

However, you can avoid penalty if, before making your stroke, you replace the original ball (Rule 14.5(a)).

 

Don’t forget, in all instances, mark your ball before touching it.

 

Rule 9.3

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Ball Moved by Natural Forces

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New Exception 2 provides that a ball must be replaced if it moves to another area of the course after being dropped, placed or replaced.  This also applies if the ball comes to rest out of bounds.

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Example: You drop your ball within two club lengths of a penalty area and the ball rolls into the penalty area (or Bunker) so you can drop again.  Again the ball rolls into the “penalty area (or Bunker)” and now you can replace on the spot where it last dropped.  Having placed the ball and it is at rest, you turn to get the club you propose to use and, without any influence from you, the ball rolls from the “General Area” into a “penalty area (or Bunker)”.  You now must replace the ball at its last position (estimated if not sure) without penalty.