Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2023 - 11

Now, in 2023, when a ball is at rest
after taking relief and then rolls
into another area of the course or
out of bounds, there is no penalty,
and the ball must be replaced.
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made a mistake in showing or applying a
handicap or when adding up the scores,
there is no penalty. The Committee will
add up the scores and calculate the handicap
and net score.
Previously, if a player's handicap was
incorrect and it resulted in the player
receiving more strokes than they are
entitled to, the player was disqualified.
With handicaps changing daily, this is
something players should welcome. (Rule
3.3b(4))
Please note: This change applies to
stroke play only. The situation in match
play has not changed. In match play, if a
player's declared handicap is too high, and
this affects the number of strokes the player
gives or gets, the player is disqualified.
Another change pertains to when a
player takes " back on the line " relief
(that is, Penalty Area relief or Unplayable
Ball relief). The player is now required
to drop a ball on the line, and the Relief
Area is now one club length in any direction
from where the ball first touched
the ground (a circle one club length in
radius). (Rule 14.3c)
Please note: The ball must not end up
nearer the hole than the estimated point
where the original ball last crossed the
edge of the Penalty Area. In the past, the
Relief Area was a semi-circle one club
length in radius (and the ball could not
roll forward).
Some readers may remember the final
the 2019 Waste Management
day of
Phoenix Open when Rickie Fowler hit the
ball over the 11th green into the Penalty
Area. Fowler took a one-stroke penalty
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and dropped a ball in the Relief Area.
After sizing up his shot, the ball rolled
back into the Penalty Area, and Fowler
had to take another one-stroke penalty
and proceed, again, under the Penalty
Area Rule.
Now, in 2023, when a ball is at rest after
taking relief and then rolls into another
area of the course or out of bounds,
there is no penalty, and the ball must be
replaced. This situation demonstrates
the importance of knowing the " definitions "
(see the sidebar). You must know
the five defined " Areas of the Course " in
order to know if the ball must be replaced
or not.
The Rules changes for 2023 also include
the addition of a 25th Rule- " Modifications
for Players with Disabilities. " This Rule
provides modifications to certain Rules of
Golf to allow players with specific disabilities
to play fairly with players who have no
disabilities, the same disability or a different
type of disability. If this applies to
you, please become familiar with Rule 25,
because it now applies to all competitions
and forms of play.
For those of you who want to use a
" water ball " when playing over water on
a par 3 and then switch to a " putting ball "
on the green, there is great news for you.
In 2023, the penalty for making a stroke
at an incorrectly " substituted ball " has
been reduced to a one-stroke penalty.
Previously it was a two-stroke penalty in
Stroke Play or Loss of Hole in Match Play.
(Rule 6.3b(3))
There are more changes, but start by
learning these. Enjoy the 2023 season!
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Defined Areas of the Course
The general area covers the entire area
of the course except for the following:
The teeing area
Penalty areas
Bunkers
The putting green
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Know Your Definitions
Five Defined Areas of the Course
1. The Teeing Area the player must use
in starting the hole they are playing
(Rule 6.2)
2. All Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
3. All Bunkers (Rule 12)
4. The Putting Green of the hole the
player is playing (Rule 13)
5. The General Area includes everything
except the four above areas
Note: Teeing Areas and Putting Greens
other than the hole being played are
considered General Area
(example: Putting Green on 8th hole
while playing the 6th hole).
Directory 2023 MINNESOTAGOLFER
11
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Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2023

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