Tag Archives: Golf Rules
2023 Golf Rules & Regulations
By Mitch Moon As I did in January, I want to continue the editorial theme of the new rules in 2023. This month, we’ll review what you must do when a ball is moved by natural forces. In the USGA’s Rules of Golf, Rule 9.3 states that “if natural forces (such as wind, water or […]
New Rules For 2023
By Mitch Moon Starting January 1, 2023, the USGA, in conjunction with The R&A, has made several changes to the Rules of Golf, most of which are minor and will rarely come into play, but others are important for everyday golfers. There are new rules for golfers with physical limitations, replacing damaged clubs, how to […]
Enforcing A Penalty to Escape A Bunker
By Mitch Moon At the LPGA Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, I encountered a situation I never thought I would see in a professional golf tournament. Under Rule 19 (Unplayable Ball), if the ball is in the general area, bunker, or on the putting green, the player has several options if they choose to […]
HOW IS ‘THE PENALTY AREA’ DEFINED?
By Mitch Moon With the most recent changes to the Rules of Golf by the United States Golf Association, those ponds, creeks and other water related obstacles, that golfers find occasionally on a golf course and formerly called hazards, are now referred to as penalty areas. The new definition refers to, “Any body of water […]
Damaged Clubs Are Not Always Damaged Goods
By Mitch Moon Most people know about the existence of the 14-club rule in golf, but few are aware of a significant rule change made in 2019 pertaining to damaged clubs. Before that change, any type of damage to any of the clubs in your bag would cause it to become non-conforming and you were […]
‘Own The Spot’ On The Putting Green
By Mitch Moon It’s important to know how to properly mark your golf ball on the green, especially after Keegan Bradley’s costly error at THE PLAYERS Championship last month. During the second round, Keegan Bradley was assessed a two-stroke penalty for playing from the wrong place on the putting green. There is a common […]
THE ‘2 + 2 RULE:’ BE AWARE OF YOUR OPTIONS
By Mitch Moon (Manager Rules & Competition; LPGA Tour) As you play golf with your buddies on the weekends, during a weeknight league, or in a competitive tournament at your club, it’s a good idea to be aware of the ‘2 + 2 rule.’ The rule revolves around the issue of a sprinkler head being […]
A Required Mulligan
By The Rules Guy, Richard Todd The two major mantras, when it comes to golf are: Play the ball as it lies and always Play by the rules. But did you know there is such a thing as a legal Mulligan? Jesper Parnevik found out the hard way. It’s not always obvious, however, how […]
NOT SO NEW Golf Rules
By Richard Todd As I came out of the barber shop this week a friend shouted, “Just who I wanted to see. What gives with the tour players putting with the flagstick in the cup?” He, like many other golfers, are just now catching on that there are some rule changes that […]
Practice Facility Do’s & Don’ts
By Richard Todd, The Golf Rules Guy The golf season is beginning for those in the northern states, which means many golfers will spend time on ‘the range’, possibly even more than on an actual course. While most golfer’s etiquette on the links may be impeccable, that may not be true on the practice […]