With the influx of new golfers in the past few years, golf’s governing bodies have made many updates to their lengthy and often complex rules to keep pace with changing times and to encourage accessibility for all. Want proof? Look no further than this year’s spate of rules changes.
The USGA Rules of Golf
One of the most notable changes is the elimination of the penalty for a golfer accidentally moving their ball while searching for it. Under the new rules, a golfer will simply be required to replace the ball in its original position without incurring a penalty. This change is intended to speed up play and reduce frustration for golfers who have accidentally moved their ball while searching for it. We’d call that a common-sense ruling.
Similarly, another change for ’23 is the elimination of the penalty for a golfer accidentally causing their ball to move while marking it on the green. Under the new rules, a golfer will simply be required to replace the ball in its original position with- out incurring a penalty.
The forgiveness factor doesn’t stop there with this year’s changes. Up until now, golfers whose clubs accidentally broke in the middle of a round weren’t allowed to replace them. But starting this year, players may now swap out a damaged club for a replacement, “provided the player did not damage it through abuse.”
The USGA and R&A taketh away in another category — time spent looking for a lost ball. A golfer previously had five minutes to search for a lost ball. Under the new rules, this time has been reduced to three minutes. Keep it moving!
In addition to these changes, the USGA and R&A have made changes to how they classify rules for disabled players. For 25 years, the USGA and the R&A have had modified rules at their disposal for players with disabilities. Now those rules will be adopted into the rulebook. Tournaments will no longer be required to put modified rules into place, rather, players who fall under the categories in Rule 25 will be permitted to play under the rules for players with disabilities. In other words, the way it should be.
Overall, the changes to the rules of golf this year are aimed at simplifying the game and making it more enjoyable for players of all skill levels, something we haven’t always seen from golf’s governing bodies. And that’s a very welcome change, indeed.
For more information, visit usga.org.
';