The R&A and the USGA have unveiled an update to the Rules of Golf for 2023 in a bid to make them easier to understand and apply. We delve into the key changes to explain how they will impact your game.
1.Club Damaged During Round
Many golfers are familiar with the situation, whether it is trying to hit a roping hook or slice when hugged up against the tree and, unfortunately, snap the club on a root or even the base of the tree.
If this happens without any intention of purposely breaking the club, you will, in this circumstance, be able to replace the club. This is great for tour players and high-level golfers but doesn’t particularly apply to the everyday golfer, assuming they don’t have a tour van feeding them clubs.
2.Back-on-the-Line Relief Procedure
If you played in any capacity of a tournament or any other rules-regulated golf rounds with friends, you likely came in contact with this scenario. Before, when taking an unplayable lie or hitting the ball into the penalty area, you needed to stay in line with the hole where your ball crossed.
Now living up to the name of “Back-on-the-Line Relief Procedure,” you will be able to simply drop on the line your golf ball crossed and forget about being in line with the hole
3.Modifications for Players with Disabilities
Rule 25 will be in effect at the start of the new year in all competitions and forms of play. Rule 25.1 states that “a player’s category of disability and eligibility determine whether they can use the specific modified Rules in Rule 25″.
The categories this would apply to are players who are blind (which includes certain levels of vision impairment; amputees (those with limb deficiencies and those who have lost a limb); players who use assistive mobility devices; and players with intellectual disabilities.
Modifications include, depending on category of disability: allowing the setting down of objects to help with aiming, stance, and swinging; anchoring; and touching sand in a bunker with a club in front or behind the ball. All in which makes the game inclusive for golfers across all spectrums to enjoy the game.
4.Handicap Usage in Stroke Play
“With the continued growth of score-posting technology following the adoption of the World Handicap System™, players are no longer penalized for failing to put their handicap on their scorecard in stroke play. The committee will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of each player’s handicap.”
This will put more emphasis on the committee to do their due diligence, assuring that they have the handicaps according to each player in their leagues and or tournaments. Additionally, this will lessen possible stress on the player for them to better focus on their game.
All in all, some good rules changes for pros and amateurs alike. What rule changes would you like to see implemented in the future?
