The end is nigh – for winter rules on your golf course, that is. England Golf have replaced their annual winter checklist with a new guide for adverse weather.
The governing body says with bad weather becoming more frequent during the year, their new document – called the Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide – gives clubs guidance and access to supporting rules.
The biggest change is the ability to use Model Local Rule E-3, also known as Preferred Lies, all year round and still allow their golfers to put in acceptable scores for their handicaps.
Historically that rule, which allows players whose ball is in parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less to take free relief by placing their ball in a relief area, was only allowed for a defined period. That was normally between the start of October and the end of April.
Over the past couple of years, that period was extended by England Golf into May because of prolonged wet weather.
But clubs who had to deal with inclement conditions outside of that time frame had to ask their counties for permission to bring in the Local Rule on a temporary basis.
Now that barrier has been removed and, if circumstances require, the governing body say clubs can use it throughout the year.
“Winter Rules is not a term stated within the Rules of Handicapping; therefore the guidance has been adapted to be focused on periods of extreme or adverse weather,” an England Golf statement said.
“Clubs must use the Model Local Rule appropriately and on areas of the course where it is required. They must also be removed as soon practicably possible.”
Winter rules: Why England Golf have changed the guidance on preferred lies
An FAQ on England Golf’s website says within the World Handicap System there is “no reference to the specific use of ‘winter rules’, only that there is an active and inactive season.
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“In England, WHS remains active all year round, therefore the term ‘winter rules’ does not exist and the limitation on when Model Local Rules can be applied has been removed.”
The move is likely to be popular with clubs as they will now be the ultimate authority for judging playing conditions on their course.
James Luke, England Golf’s head of handicapping, said: “We’ve got so many different types of golf courses in England – parkland, heathland, and links – and every golf course experience is slightly different.
“It is up to golf clubs who know their courses inside out and understand when they require support to keep them in the condition they need to be in to be acceptable for handicap purposes.”
The guidance advocates clubs should first think about using Model Local Rule E-2, Cleaning the Ball, on parts of the general area “where conditions result in an unfair playing condition”.
Luke added: “If you’ve got an area of your golf course that’s always wet, for example, you can use Model Local Rule E-2 in that area – and pick, clean and replace your ball – even if the rest of the golf course is fine.”
The new Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide also covers other Local Rules in a club’s arsenal, including the compulsory use of fairway mats and bunkers filled with temporary water, as well as how many temporary greens can be used if a score is to remain acceptable and recent changes that allow the use of plastic hole stabilising rings.
The full document is available on England Golf’s website.
Now have your say
What do you think about the removal of the term ‘winter rules’ and the ability to use preferred lies all year round? Will your club benefit from the move? Why not let me know by leaving a comment on X.
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