Rules and Rants

Playing Conditions Calculation will adjust golf scores to reflect weather and course setup

Under the new World Handicap System, will analyze how players have performed that day compared to their expected performance on that golf course. It will naturally include weather and course setup (reflected in the scores), and if expected results fall outside a tolerance level, an adjustment will apply to all scores played on that course for that day.

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Rules and Rants

Net Double Bogey is the new maximum hole score

Under the World Handicap System, a limit of Net Double Bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only). Net Double Bogey will replace the existing Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) procedure for determining the maximum hole score.

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Handicapping Inside Golf House Rules and Rants

How your handicap is calculated under golf’s new World Handicap System

The World Handicap System will ensure handicaps are calculated consistently around the world.

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Rules and Rants

Rules of Golf: When to replace your ball

If a ball subsequently moves after a player has marked, lifted and  replaced the the ball on the putting green, the player must always replace the ball back on its original spot.

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Rules and Rants

Rules of Golf: Maximum score per hole

The 2019 Rules include a new form of stroke-play called “Maximum Score” where a player or side’s score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes set by the Committee.

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Rules and Rants

Rules of Golf: Causing your ball to move

If you take an action near your ball and cause it to move, you get a one-stroke penalty, unless your ball is on the putting green.

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Rules and Rants

Rules of Golf: Caddies can now lift golf ball without approval

When your ball is on the putting green, your caddie is now allowed to mark, lift and clean it, with or without the player’s approval.

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Rules and Rants

Rules of Golf: Repairing damage on putting green

You or anyone else are now allowed  to repair almost any damage on the putting green.

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Rules and Rants

Rules of Golf: Leaving the flagstick in

There is no longer a penalty for hitting the flagstick that is in the hole when you’ve played your stroke from off the putting green or if you’ve played your stroke from on the green.

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Rules and Rants

Rules of Golf: Penalty area

The term penalty area has been introduced and will replace areas previously known as water hazards.

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