From the Clubhouse: Taking you inside the new 2023 Rules of Golf

Steve CarrollTom Irwin

There’s plenty to catch up on, so Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin get stuck into the 2023 updates

It has been a big week for club golf with the R&A and USGA announcing new revisions to the Rules of Golf, and which come into force on New Year’s Day.

So in this week’s episode of From the Clubhouse, a National Club Golf podcast, Steve Carroll, who has passed the R&A’s Level 3 Rules of Golf exam, and Tom Irwin go through some of the major changes and give their views on what we can expect when we get out for a round in 2023.

If you are confused by the new back-on-the-line relief rule, need a bit of guidance on putting your handicap on your scorecard, and require an explanation on the new penalties for Stableford – among many others – settle down as Tom and Steve dive right in.

What do you think the new 2023 Rules of Golf? Have a listen to the podcast and then let us know your thoughts in a tweet.

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About the author

Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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