Can I put in a score if there are winter greens?

It is a crispy dry morning, you arrive at the golf course only to see what must be one of the most dispiriting sights in winter golf: temporary greens.

Yes, we know how vitally important they are to protect our fragile putting surfaces and, at many clubs, the thought of dozens of golfers trampling their way around a frost-laden hole cup and the foot traffic that ensues is enough to give your greenkeeper palpitations.

But you were feeling good and were relishing the chance to put in a score that counted for handicap. Has the weather put paid to that? Can you submit a card under the World Handicap System if winter greens are in operation? Here is the answer to this golf handicap winter rules poser…

How many temporary greens are allowed?

You can but there are limits. In their Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide, England Golf say that for scores to be acceptable “no more than two temporary greens are allowed to be used” in an 18-hole score. For a 9-hole course, it is only one temporary green.

Handicapping chiefs also cover the question of winter tees – as clubs can often move teeing areas up and down to try and save wear and tear.

There are restrictions over temporary alterations to the distance of a course. Appendix G of the Rules of Handicapping reveals the front of the teeing area should not be placed more than +/- 10 yards from the fixed measurement point on each tee.

That is the permanent yardage marker you should be able to find by the side of the tee box. It can often be a little slab or a stone.

But there is more. “The overall length of the course MUST NOT be more than +/- 100 yards from its measured length (from the fixed markers), reports the Adverse Weather guide.

There is a “300 yards rule” for temporary situations where there might be issues such as course excavation work or drainage, but “this ‘temporary rating’ must be submitted to, and approved by, England Golf” for acceptable scores to continued to be returned. That permission also comes with a maximum duration of a year.

Now, no one is expecting you to go out with a measuring tool to make sure everything is ship shape. You should feel confident your committee are taking this task in hand.

Now have your say

What do you think of these winter greens regulations? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment on X.

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