The dark nights haven’t yet arrived, and some of us are still putting on sunscreen, but October 1 marks the first day of ‘winter’ in the golf calendar.
Why? Because it’s the day clubs in England can bring in preferred lies, which allows golfers to place their ball in a specified relief area in part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, without needing to get permission from their county.
From now until April 30 next year, your competition committee can utilise three Local Rules to help get their courses through adverse weather conditions and still allow scores to be submitted into the World Handicap System.
Preferred lies (Model Local Rule E-3) is the best known, but rules allowing players to lift, clean and replace the ball (MLR E-2) and forcing the compulsory use of fairway mats (MLR E-12) can also be utilised.
Between May 1 and September 30, any club wanting to use these rules have to get the go ahead from their county office first.
Preferred lies: When should they be used?
But did you know the use of such Local Rules comes with a twist? In updated guidance produced by England Golf, clubs are told they should be utilised “ONLY when it is absolutely necessary to do so”.
The instruction, contained in the governing body’s Adverse/Extreme Weather Guidance, also says it should happen “when the conditions would mean that acceptable scoring would not be possible without them being in place.”
“Furthermore, the Model Local Rules MUST be removed as soon as practically possible.”
Practically, when the coldest weather sets in, conditions often do not markedly improve until the spring, but the guidance might be food for thought for those who might bring in a blanket Model Local Rule throughout the entire period.
It goes on: “It is very important to remember that Model Local Rules may only be used when absolutely necessary, to ensure equity within the World Handicap System.”
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Clubs have also been reminded they must switch off courses and tee sets (in their WHS software) when “conditions mean acceptable scoring is not possible”. That is the case even if the Local Rules are in place, or if the course set-up does not comply with the Rules of Handicapping.
To view the entire Adverse and Extreme Weather guidance, visit England Golf’s website.
Now have your say on preferred lies
When does your club start using the preferred lies rule? Should it be used all winter, or as and when required? Let us know in the comments, or get in touch on X.
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