Rules of golf 2023, there’re different changes

In force from 1 January 2023 an updated version of the Rules of Golf; not a massive revision like the one in 2019, but some rules change in form and substance. Let’s see the most important ones:

Golf, rules

Rule 3.3b(4) The player is not responsible for indicating the handicap on the score card or for the sum of the scores
The current HCP system does not always allow the player to have a clear idea of the handicap he has to play and therefore the rules of golf have had to adapt to all this; therefore, the player will no longer be held liable if there is an incorrect handicap on his scorecard. However, it will be considered an administrative error and therefore “charged” by the committee.

Rule 6.3b(3) Substitution of another ball during play of hole
The penalty for playing an incorrectly substituted ball has been reduced from the general penalty to one penalty stroke.

Rule 9.3 Ball moved by natural forces
A new exception has been introduced (the 2) which will require the player whose ball, after being placed or dropped, should move from one area of the course and stop in a different one (for example from a fairway – which is a general area – in penalty area), to replace said ball without penalty.

Rule 21.1c Penalties in Stableford
The Rule has been amended to provide that penalties in relation to clubs, time of teeing and unreasonable delay are now applied to the hole in the same manner as in normal “medal” stroke play.

Rule 25 Modifications for Players with Disabilities
The introduction of the new Rule 25 means that the changes set out in the Rule apply to all competitions, including all forms of play. This means that it will no longer be necessary to introduce the changes for disabled players through a local rule, but simply apply the new rule 25.

The Rules of Golf are a set of standard rules and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played. They are jointly written and maintained by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the governing body for golf worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, which are governed by the United States Golf Association. An expert commission made up of members of the R&A and USGA, oversees and refines the rules every four years. The latest revision has been in force since January 1, 2016. Changes to the rules of golf generally fall into two main categories: those that improve understanding and those that in certain cases reduce penalties to ensure balance. The rule book, entitled “Rules of Golf”, is published on a regular basis and also includes rules governing amateur status. In Italy it is up to Federgolf to supervise the competitions by enforcing the rules issued by the R & A, checking that these rules are observed by the Clubs, Associations and their members and manages the resulting sporting justice, protecting their interests abroad.

The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they apply outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respect for the rules is a basic element in the game of golf which, almost always based on self-control and the free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, sometimes consciously, but often unconsciously or lightly, due to non-compliance by many players of the game rules. In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing your game with due respect to the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.