RoG Updates for 2023
Key changes to the RoG from 1st January 2023 include:
- Modifications for Players with Disabilities: The modifications to the Rules for players with disabilities have been made part of the Rules and are in effect for all players who fall under the categories covered in Rule 25.
- Handicap Usage in Stroke Play: With the continued growth of digital scoring following the adoption of the World Handicap System, players are no longer required to show their handicap on their scorecard in stroke play. The Committee will be responsible for calculating the player’s handicap strokes for the competition and using that to calculate the player’s net score.
- Club Damaged During Round: The 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.
- Ball Moved by Natural Forces: 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.
- 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, and the ball must come to rest within one club-length of where it is dropped.
Lost Ball
There are only two situations when a ball is deemed lost, see Rule 18;
- When a ball is lost out of bounds.
- When a ball in the General Area cannot be found after 3 minutes of searching.
A ball cannot be declared lost other than in the situations above
Preferred Lies
Winter Rules
Winter Rules, more correctly Preferred Lies will be in force from the 1st October and will remain in force until the 30th April. This feature of the game of golf often causes confusion. A ball that lies in the General Area* which is cut to fairway height or less may be marked, lifted and cleaned without penalty. The original ball or another ball should be replaced within 6 inches (150mm) of the original spot, not nearer the hole. Ensure you mark your ball before you lift it. You can only do this ONCE per occasion. If you pick the ball up again you will incur a one-stroke penalty.
Taking A Drop
Putting Green Know How
The line of putt does not extend forward beyond the hole, so standing in front of the player on or near the line will not attract a penalty, however, standing in a players eye line is poor etiquette.
Animal Scrapes
Under the new Rules of Golf, an animal scrape is one caused by any living animal, other than a human.
If your ball comes to rest in an animal scrape you get free relief from the abnormal course condition, but this not always the case. A common claim by many players when the ball comes to rest typically in an animal scrape and against a tree. The former is used to get them out of trouble! But is this always true? See the following examples.
Remember a player can declare a ball unplayable anywhere on the course except in a penalty area.
Balls Lifted or Moved
- If a ball is lifted without marking it by accident can I replace it for free?
- If a player lifts their ball believing it has been conceded but an opponent says it has not, is this accidental and is there a penalty?
Gravel Overspill from Paths
Loose Impediments
The margins of paths and buggy-paths are
clearly defined by the edging material in their construction.
Out of Bounds
The diagram is self explanatory regarding the position of the ball relative to the OOB. The course extends vertically upwards and any part of the ball touching the course is inbounds. The OOB line is one that runs on the course side of the posts.
The exception to the above is the fence along the 17th which is both a safety fence, due to the steep drop, and the line of a No Play Penalty Area (red posts). A ball lying beyond the fence is in the Penalty Area. When a ball comes to rest against the fence on the 17th and the fence interferes with the players stance or swing relief without penalty is allowed.
Playing From The Wrong Tee
More Flagstick Questions.
- Applies only to the General Area that is closely mown not in the rough.
- Always mark your ball before lifting.
- Replace the ball within six inches no nearer the hole.
- Lift and replace it only once.
- If you pick it up a second time at the same spot you'll incur a 1 shot penalty.