The Met Office say it’s been the wettest winter in England and Wales for nearly 250 years. It’s also been the wettest 18 months in England since records began in 1836, reckon climate scientists.
It’s probably not a surprise, then, that our golf courses aren’t ready for the traditional start of the competition season next month.
That has led England Golf to extend the period for preferred lies until the end of May – and clubs may be able to go even later.
A statement to counties and clubs said: “As stated in the Winter Checklist, the period of preferred lies was due to end on the 30th of April 2024.
“However, due to the unprecedented weather conditions during the 2023/2024 winter period whereby many clubs have experienced rainfall in record numbers, England Golf have decided to provide an extension to the preferred lies period up to 31st May 2024.
“Clubs do have the option of an extension for preferred lies past 31st of May 2024 but they must obtain approval from their county office for further support, with any extension being for specific areas/holes of a course, and not as a blanket approach.”
England Golf added: “England Golf hope by taking the initiative to extend the preferred lies period it will support golf clubs in their course maintenance plans and ensure they can set up their course appropriately whereby their courses will be in an acceptable condition to submit scores for handicapping either through General Play or Competition rounds.”
Winter rules golf: What is the Preferred Lies rule?
Model Local Rule E-3, otherwise known as Preferred Lies, is designed for periods when adverse weather conditions are widespread on the course.
You may know them as Winter Rules and your club employ them to protect the course and to allow fair play.
Most forms of this rule are restricted to areas of the general area that are cut to fairway height or less and they allow a player to take free relief. They can place their ball in a relief area, which is usually within six inches from the spot of the original ball.
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When lifting a ball under this rule, players are allowed to clean it.
England Golf advise the Local Rule reads as follows: “When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:
- Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.
- Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:
- Limits on Location of Relief Area: must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and must be in the general area.
“For clarification, relief is available within the general area if any part of the ball touches an area cut to fairway height or less.”
This Local Rule is not to be confused with Model Local Rule E-2, which requires a ball to be marked, lifted, cleaned and put back on its original spot.
Got a question for our expert?
Despite the changes to the Rules of Golf in 2019 and 2023, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. I’ll try to help by featuring the best of your queries in this column.
Winter rules golf: How bad has the winter been at your course? How long do you think preferred lies, or winter rules, should remain in place? Let me know by leaving a comment on X.
