Which Rules of Golf apply at South African clubs in 2026?

The 2023 edition of the Rules of Golf, written jointly by The R&A and the USGA, which took effect on 1 January 2023. The USGA administers the Rules in the United States, its territories and Mexico, and The R&A everywhere else, so South Africa (through GolfRSA) comes under The R&A.

• The R&A and USGA publish clarifications of the 2023 Rules, normally each January, April, July and October. The October 2026 update still applied to the 2023 edition, with the next update due in January 2027.
• GolfRSA requires clubs' Local Rules to follow the Model Local Rules for the 2023 Rules. Your club's Local Rules (for example, on preferred lies or out of bounds) apply on top of the Rules, so read the card or notice board.

Sources: Rules of Golf (2023); R&A/USGA "Additional Clarifications of the 2023 Rules of Golf", updated 2 October 2026; GolfRSA Rules of Handicapping 2024 club training.