5 Rule Changes You Need To Know!

How much do you know the Rules of Golf – and how can you avoid getting caught out ? From dropping the ball to scorecard handling, there have been some big shifts over the last few years.

Keep reading on to make sure you’re not falling foul of any of the rule changes that the R&A and USGA have implemented…

What are these rule changes and how could they affect your game?

Our very own Hannah Holden has gone through the changes in order to help you understand and implement them into your weekly competition round!

Your ball can go forward when taking back-on-the-line relief

Hit your last shot into a penalty area? We’ve all done it!

If you’re taking back-on-the-line relief, you can still go as far back as you want, keeping the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area between the hole and where the ball is dropped.

But there was a big shift in the 2023 Rules of Golf changes. Previously, if you dropped the ball and it rolled forward, you would have to re-drop. Now though, that has changed.

The ball can now bounce in any direction from where it is dropped, as long as it does not exceed one club length from the spot where it first touched the ground. But the ball needs to be dropped on the line.

Think about it. You’ve already come back from the penalty area you hit the ball into in the first place, so how can you be nearer the hole?

You can replace your ball if it is moved by natural forces after a drop

This only comes into effect after you have already taken relief and the ball must have come to rest first. If this is the case, you are allowed to replace the ball – but only if it rolls into a different area of the course.

This rule was not in place when Rickie Fowler was dealt a harsh blow at TPC Scottsdale. After hitting into one of the penalty areas at the WM Phoenix Open, he proceeded to drop. However, the wind then blew that ball back into the water.

Now he would have been able to replace the ball. But back in 2019, Fowler had to take another penalty shot despite having not done anything wrong.

You can’t stand behind your partner when they are putting

You’re playing a fourball match and your partner has a very similar putt to you. You’re going to stand behind them to get a feel for the putt, aren’t you?

You aren’t allowed to stand behind or anywhere near your partner, where it might be deemed you are trying to gain advantage ahead of your putt.

If you do this, you are in danger of receiving the general penalty, which is a two-shot penalty in stroke play, or loss of hole in a match play competition.

You can no longer responsible for putting your handicap on your scorecard

Prior to these rule changes, it was your responsibility to write down your handicap on your scorecard before handing it in.

Due to the differences in playing handicaps and course handicaps, it is now the club’s responsibility to record your handicap.

Just check, though. They can implement a local rule that flips the onus on putting handicaps on scorecards back to the player.

Forgotten to sign your scorecard…?

Previously, if either you or the person marking your card forgot to sign it then you would be disqualified from the competition.

Your club’s competition committee can choose to bring in a local rule which can override this.

They can now give you a two-shot penalty, which would go on to the last hole you played. Yes, it’s a penalty, but it does mean your card still counts and you haven’t been kicked out of the competition.

Have you fallen foul of these rule changes, whether you knew about them or not? Let us know with a post on X, formerly Twitter!