2023 Rules of Golf Review

2023 Rules of Golf Review

Below is a summary of the updates of the Rules of Golf for 2023.

You can download a copy of the summary as a Word Doc or PDF file, by clicking on a download button at the bottom of the page.

  • Rules for players with disabilities has been incorporated into the Rules in Rule 25.
  • The Interpretations are now called Clarifications.
  • The penalty for playing an incorrectly substituted ball is 1 penalty stroke. 6.3b(3)
  • A player may repair or replace a damaged club unless the damage was caused by abuse. 4.1a(2)
  • After a ball is dropped or replaced and is moved by natural forces into another area of the course, the ball is replaced without penalty. 9.3 Exception 2
  • When taking back-on-the-line relief the player must drop the ball on the line. 14.3b(3)
  • When taking back-on-the-line relief the dropped ball may roll 1 club-length in any direction (including forward) after hitting the ground. 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), and 19.2b
  • When a ball played from the putting green hits the player, the player’s putter, or an insect (or similar) the stroke counts. 11.1b(2)
  • If a player fails to replay a stroke when required, the penalty is the general penalty not a wrong place penalty which would be subject to disqualification. 11.1b, 11.2c, and Wrong Place
  • When there is not a spot in the general area immediately behind an embedded ball to use as a reference point for taking relief, the player may find a reference point at the nearest location (no closer to the hole) in the general area. Clarification 16.3b/1
  • The Committee (not the player) is responsible for including the player’s handicap on the player’s scorecard. 3.3b(4)
  • A player is not allowed to set anything down on the course to assist in determining the line of play (even if the object is lifted prior to the stroke). 10.2b(1) and 10.2b(2)
  • When multiple penalties occur (including different penalties), a player is only penalized for the larger of the two penalties unless there an intervening event (a stroke or the player becomes aware of the breach). 1.3c(4)
  • A player is disqualified for giving any information to an opponent which results in a player getting too few strokes or giving to many strokes. Clarification 3.2c(1)/2
  • Multiple markers do not need to certify the hole scores on the scorecard if one marker sees the player play all of the holes. 3.3b(1)
  • A player is permitted to remove an external attachment (ex. a sticker on the clubface) on a club without penalty if the club has not been used. 4.1a(3)
  • A player must not build a club from parts carried by anyone on the course. 4.1b(4)
  • The limitations on green reading material only applies to strokes made on the putting green. Clarification 4.3a/1
  • A player is allowed to practice on any holes not being played on the day of the competition. Clarification 5.2/1
  • In Stroke Play, when a local rule does not allow a player to practise on the course before a round in stroke play. The penalty statement in Rule 5.2b is not limited to making a stroke as the term “practising on the course” also includes testing the surface of the putting green by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface. If a player rubs the surface of a single green, they have only breached Rule 5.2b once no matter how many times they rub the surface of the same green. Clarification 5.2b/3 (Added December 2022)
  • When players agree to play out of turn to gain an advantage, those players are penalised when one of the players makes a stroke out of turn. 6.4b(1)
  • The conditions affecting the stroke that are worsened by a referee may be restored. 8.1d(2)
  • The area behind the player while the player is taking their stance is referred to as the “Restricted Area”. 10.2b(4)
  • A player’s caddie may stand in the “Restricted Area” prior to the player making their stroke if they are not assisting the player with aim. 10.2b(4)
  • A player must not stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball while their partner is making a stroke to gain information for their (the player’s) next stroke. Rule 22.6 and Rule 23.8
  • A player is not allowed to set a self-standing putter down to help with alignment. Clarification 10.2b/1
  • When attempting to correct playing from a wrong place, a player is only required to report the facts to the Committee when the player plays 2 balls. 14.7b(2)
  • An additional minute is the amount of time a player has to identify their ball after the 3 minute search time has elapsed. Clarification 18.2a(1)/3
  • Important Model Local Rule Changes
    • When a player does not replay a stroke that hits a power line, the stroke counts and the player gets the general penalty. MLR E-11
    • The Committee may allow relief from immovable obstructions in a penalty area. MLR F-24
    • The penalty for a breach of the one-ball rule is 1 penalty stroke. MLR G-4
    • The Committee may restrict the damage to a club before it can be replaced. MLR G-9
    • The Committee can prohibit the use of green reading material on the putting green. MLR G-12
    • The Committee can prohibit practice on practice putting greens. MLR I-1
    • Bad times can be carried over to subsequent rounds in stroke play competition. MLR K-2
    • The Committee may modify the penalty for a non-certified score card to 2 penalty strokes. MLR L-1