In the 2023 Rules of Golf, there is a new exception to Rule 9.3, which states that if a ball is moved by natural forces after being dropped, placed, or replaced while taking a relief and it comes to rest in a different area of the course or out of bounds, the ball must be replaced.
This means that if you take relief anywhere on the course and your ball is then moved by natural forces, you can replace it at its original spot. This is a more forgiving rule than the previous rule, which meant that you had to play your ball from where it ended up.
Here is an example of how the new rule would apply:
You hit your ball into a red penalty area.
- You take a penalty drop and the ball rolls outside the relief area a second time, you may replace your ball at the spot where the ball struck the ground within the relief area.
- A gust of wind blows your ball back into the red penalty area.
- Under the new rule, you can replace your ball back to its original position within the relief area.
- The new rule is designed to make the game fairer and to give golfers more options when their ball is moved by natural forces.
Here are some other examples of how the new rule would apply:
- If you take relief from the fairway and your ball rolls into the bunker, you can replace it at its original spot in the rough.
- If you take relief from the rough and your ball is blown out of bounds, you can replace it at its original spot in the rough.
- If you mark your ball on the putting green to clean it, and the wind blows your ball away, you can replace it back to its original spot.
It is important to note that the new rule only applies to balls that are moved by natural forces.
You must also replace it back to its original spot, even if the ball moves to a more desirable outcome.
Do be aware that if you play your ball from the wrong place, there will be a two-stroke penalty or a disqualification depending on whether the golfer has gained a significant advantage or not.
In the first episode of our new series, “And Now You Know!”, Joyce Lam, SGA Rules Official, covers what to do when your ball is moved by natural forces. Check out the video!