Grant Moir on Five Key Changes for 2023

A regular update to the new Rules of Golf is coming into effect on 1 January 2023 as The R&A and the USGA continue to make the Rules easier to understand and apply.

While there are fewer changes of significance compared to the fundamental modernisation of the Rules in 2019, there are important updates for golfers of all abilities to understand.

In our latest blog, Grant Moir, Director – Rules at The R&A, talks us through five key changes to be aware of for 2023…?

Sustainability and inclusion are at the heart of our latest update to the Rules of Golf. Before detailing five notable Rules changes, let me highlight how sustainability underpins our collective work.

Between The R&A and the USGA, we have reduced the number of printed Rules books produced by more than four million. We previously sent these books by plane or other means to many countries around the world so we have also reduced the environmental impact of our distribution considerably. While golfers can still access a hard copy of the Rules, our focus is very much on our digital and mobile app offerings.

In 2020, we did a survey of golfers – representative of all ages who play the sport – which revealed that?80%?carried their mobile phone in their golf bag. It highlighted to us that if we can get the Rules of Golf onto people’s mobile devices, they will be carrying those Rules every time they play.?

The app also provides intuitive searchable functions – including the ability to use more diagrams, illustrations and videos – so that answers to Rules questions are provided whether golfers are on the course or in the clubhouse. With golfers now regularly using their phones to submit scores for handicapping purposes through the World Handicap System (WHS), it makes senses to focus on our digital products that support the Rules.

We are also grateful to the continued support of longstanding partner Rolex to help us produce high quality digital products.

Now to five key Rules changes for 2023…

1.?????Modifications for Players with Disabilities

For the first time, the modified Rules for players with disabilities (which have been around for over 25 years) have been fully incorporated into the playing Rules, without the need to adopt a local rule by a committee. They now form part of the mainstream Rules of Golf and will apply automatically to the players who fall under the category of disabilities covered in the new Rule 25.?

This change continues our focus to make the sport fair and equitable and ensuring the Rules are as inclusive as they can be. We have worked closely with EDGA, in particular, to ensure the modified Rules are meeting the needs of all players with disabilities. This is an expanding area of golf and highlights the sport’s drive to provide opportunities for everyone.?

2.?????Handicap Usage in Stroke Play

Where possible, our continued desire is to relax penalties and perhaps reduce the severity of certain outcomes within the Rules. With the continued growth of score-posting technology following the adoption of the WHS, players are no longer penalised for failing to put their handicap on their scorecard in stroke play. When golfers post scores in competitions or for handicap purposes they are often doing so on phones or computer terminals and their correct handicap is assigned to them. If a scorecard is also being returned, why would we invoke a penalty for not writing in their handicap when it has no impact on the results that the committee produces?

3.?????Club Damaged During Round

We are also continually looking for ways to ensure the Rules reflect the way the modern game is played. This Rule has been amended to allow a player to replace a club that is damaged during a round, provided the player did not damage it through abuse. This Rule had become a little complicated and somewhat severe, in that it allowed repair but not replacement. Very few people damage their club into a better state than it was in before, so to allow a replacement is reasonable.

4.?????Ball Moved by Natural Forces

With the way that modern golf courses are prepared, with tighter cuts of grass and the like, we have seen more instances of a ball that has been dropped, placed or replaced then rolling off that spot back into the area that the player had taken relief from. In some instances, this meant the player having to take another penalty drop, and this was not reflecting well on the Rules. A new Exception provides that a ball at rest must be replaced if it moves to another area of the course or comes to rest out of bounds after being dropped, placed or replaced.

There have been a couple of examples of this at the highest level, involving Rickie Fowler in 2019 and Charley Hoffman this year, and it’s timely we can bring this change in. It’s an example of the Rules being relaxed to provide more appropriate outcomes and reflecting the modern way the game is played.

5.?????Back-on-the-Line Relief Procedure

The back-on-the-line relief procedure, often used for penalty area and unplayable ball relief, has been simplified so that the player now drops their ball on the line. The ball must come to rest within one club-length in any direction from the spot where the ball hit the ground when dropped.?

For more information on the 2023 Rules of Golf Update, please click below.