fbpx
How do the Rules help golfers with disabilities?

How do the Rules help golfers with disabilities?

The new Rules of Golf have an important addition. Our expert looks at why the modifications for players with disabilities were included in the main book

 

Golf is a game for everyone – regardless of age, race, gender or ability and in the 2023 Rules of Golf this was cemented with the addition of a new Rule 25.

The Modifications of the Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities were included for the first time as part of the overall laws of the game.

Let’s take a look at what they say…

Modified rules for golfers with disabilities

What did the old rules say about players with disabilities?

The modified rules of golf for players with disabilities were separate from the 24 Rules and they only applied if adopted by the committee in charge of a competition. They did not apply automatically to every competition involving players with disabilities and it was up to each committee to decide whether to adopt any of the modified rules for their own competitions.

What is the situation now?

Rule 25 now applies to all competitions and all forms of play. Rule 25.1 says it is a “player’s category of disability and eligibility that determine whether they can use the specific modified Rules in Rule 25″.

Those categories are: Players who are blind (which includes certain levels of vision impairment; amputees (those with limb deficiencies and those who have lost a limb); players who use assistive mobility devices; and players with intellectual disabilities.

Modifications include, depending on category of disability: allowing the setting down of objects to help with aiming, stance and swinging; anchoring; and touching sand in a bunker with a club in front or behind the ball.  

disabled golf rules

Why was it brought in?

Announcing the change, Grant Moir, the R&A’s director of rules, said: “We have worked closely with golfers with disabilities for a long time. We’ve had the modified rules for over 25 years and they have been refined over that time. We’re always heavily guided and influenced by the players and administrators who are involved in competitions for players with disabilities.

“But we felt the time was absolutely right to bring these modified rules into the Rules of Golf so that there’s no longer a need for committees to introduce a Local Rule for them to apply.

“We’ve seen a great increase in the focus on, particularly, elite level competition among players with disabilities, which has been terrific.

“It felt like it’s absolutely the right time to make them Rules.”

NCG verdict

Standardising the rules and removing the need for committees to be the arbiter of which modifications were and were not permitted was clearly a substantial boon for players with disabilities who wished to compete in any competitions – elite or otherwise.

This is now absolutely the case in club events with the modified rules a central part of the book instead of being, as was the case in the Official Guide, the last thing you read.

What do you think of the changes? Let me know with a comment on X.

Steve Carroll

Steve Carroll

A journalist for 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 currently floats at around 11.

Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.

What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.

Latest Posts

golf lost ball rule

Rules of Golf

Golf’s most brutal rule? It’s time to change stroke-and-distance

By

Read full article about Golf’s most brutal rule? It’s time to change stroke-and-distance
moving a golf ball marker

Rules of Golf

What can you use as a ball marker?

By

Read full article about What can you use as a ball marker?
ana pelaez disqualified

Rules of Golf

Golfer DQ’d from AIG Women’s Open after caddie uses DMD

By

Read full article about Golfer DQ’d from AIG Women’s Open after caddie uses DMD
embedded ball in bunker

Rules of Golf

My ball is embedded in the face of a bunker – can I take relief?

By

Read full article about My ball is embedded in the face of a bunker – can I take relief?
movable obstruction

Rules of Golf

What happens if my putt hits the nearest the pin marker?

By

Read full article about What happens if my putt hits the nearest the pin marker?

Rules of Golf

How could Matt Kuchar refuse to finish his round?

By

Read full article about How could Matt Kuchar refuse to finish his round?
golf rules questions

Rules of Golf

Our expert answers your golf rules questions!

By

Read full article about Our expert answers your golf rules questions!
searching for golf balls

Rules of Golf

Does the clock stop on a ball search if I let a group through?

By

Read full article about Does the clock stop on a ball search if I let a group through?
fresh air shot in golf

Rules of Golf

Why do people think this doesn’t count as a stroke?

By

Read full article about Why do people think this doesn’t count as a stroke?