Golf Tips and Tricks to Know for the New Year

The new year is an exciting time for everyone, but this year is an especially exciting year for golfers, as the rules of golf have been revised. With the release of the 2019 Rules of Golf, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) enacted the most significant modifications to the game’s rules in this generation of golfers. Recently, the 2023 Rules of Golf were made public and aim to make the game of golf simpler to comprehend and execute. 

As with any changes in the sport, it’s important to stay informed in order to compete fairly. 

That’s why we are taking an in-depth look at the new rules, along with additional golf tips and tricks you can use to up your game this new year. Let’s take a look! 

1. Modifications for Players with Disabilities

There are several accommodations for players with disabilities under the current rules. However, these are regarded as local regulations that regional committees are free to establish. On January 1st, the modifications for players with disabilities will be added to the rules and will be applied to all players with impairments.

With this change, there is no longer a requirement to ask about needed modifications, but rather, they will be present by default. 

2. No Penalty if a Handicap is Not Noted on the Scorecard

Scores were once only kept on paper and pencil, but all of that has altered with the emergence of electronic scoring apps and other technologies. As the World Handicap System has evolved to become increasingly digital, it makes it easier for tournament committees to verify each player’s handicap. With all that being said, golfers will no longer be disqualified for not recording their handicap on their scorecard. 

Pro Tip: If you want to lower your handicap, try experimenting with a variety of golf courses. At each of the seven luxury properties at The Cliffs is an upscale golf course — a new golf course for every day of the week! Even the best golf professionals benefit from competing in all types of different playing environments.

3. A Broken Club Can Be Replaced 

In 2023, you’ll now be able to swap out a club that sustains damage during a round, thanks to a new amendment. The only condition is that the club may only be replaced if the damage was unintentional. Overall, only accidental mean cause for a replacement club during a game. 

Pro Tip: Your golf clubs can start to deteriorate faster than you may think, especially if you’re an avid golfer. For this reason, we recommend updating your clubs every four to five years. Golf clubs especially have undergone great technological advancements within the last couple of years. When looking for new clubs, be sure to research the newest technology, as it can help improve all areas of your game. At The Cliffs Golf Shops, our expert staff can assist you with choosing the right golfing equipment for your game.

 4. Simpler Back-On-The-Line Relief Procedure

If you knock the ball off the line when it is in the penalty area or out of bounds, you are called back-on-line relief. It can often be a tedious and challenging process to get the ball back on the line. For instance, if you drop the ball as it approaches the hole, you must drop it once again. The procedure will be more accommodating this new year — a relief to all golfers! With this new change, if the ball comes to rest within one club length of the target, it is now considered in play. 

Pro Tip: Any direction, including forward, is now acceptable for that club length — so be sure to take advantage of this new rule change!

5. A Ball Moved by Natural Forces May Be Substituted 

In the past, a ball that moves as a result of natural factors is played in its present position. The penalty for placing a ball, dropping it, or replacing it in the relief area and having it roll out of bounds or off course is no longer available beginning January 1st. Instead, you will simply need to pick it up and replace it.

Pro Tip: You can’t always control the wind or other natural forces that may affect your golf game. However, at The Cliffs, you can practice with the latest technology such as the FlightScope™, a Doppler radar that measures virtually every aspect of the club and ball interaction. This is significantly helpful as you can see exactly what’s happening during impact!

Suggested: Top Habits Every Golfer Should Develop

Experience Golfing at The Cliffs 

The golf experience we have created is one of our most prized amenities at The Cliffs, and as a member, you can test out these new golf tips and tricks on an award-winning course, every day of the week! As a golfer, there is never a dull moment at The Cliffs, from a true mountain golf experience at The Cliffs at Glassy to lakefront golf at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards. Each of our seven luxury communities is built around a state-of-the-art golf course, designed by some of the game’s best players and course designers.

From Tom Fazio to Jack Nicklaus, every course has been masterfully designed to enhance the natural elements of the landscape as players move throughout the course. Our communities offer not only world-class courses, but also state-of-the-art practice facilities, spacious locker rooms, private bars and lounges, golf shops, and more. 

If you want to learn more about our one-of-a-kind golf membership at The Cliffs, contact a member of our team by simply clicking the button below.