LIES, DAMN LIES AND PREFERRED LIES
I couldn't resist this headline and since we are in for a stretch of bad weather where Winter rules will certainly be needed, I thought a bit of clarification might be in order.
Preferred Lies (often called Winter Rules) is a Model Local Rule (MLR-E3) that allows players to improve their ball's position without penalty due to poor course conditions, often referred to aa "lift, clean and place". It is not a permanent rule of golf and must be enacted by the USGA Committee or tournament organizer. Here at Winchester, Winter Rules begin October 1st and end April 30th.
WHERE THE RULE APPLIES --Closely mown areas only. Usually limited to areas cut to fairway height or less.
--Generally does not apply in the rough, bunkers, penalty areas or on the putting green.
"LIFT, CLEAN AND PLACE" PROCEDURE.
--Mark the spot. While not strictly required for relief under local rule E-3, it is best practice to mark the original spot to ensure you don't place the ball nearer the hole, especially in competition play.
--Lift and clean. You are permitted to pick up the ball and clean of any mud or debris.
--Identify the relief area. Determine the allowed distance from the original spot. In Winchester, that distance in one club length from the original position but at other courses it might only be 6 inches or one scorecard length.
--Place the ball. Set the ball down by hand on a chosen spot within the relief area, not nearer the hole than the original spot.
--You may only place the ball once. Once you let go and the ball stays at rest, it is in play. If the ball moves after being placed due to wind or gravity, you must play it as it lies. You cannot place it again. Playing from outside the specified relief area or nearer the hole results in a two stroke penalty (or loss of the hole in Match Play)
--Under E-3, You may replace the original ball with another ball.
There is another Model Local Rule, E-2 which specifies clean only. In this case, the player MUST mark the ball BEFORE lifting it and the ball must be replaced in its original spot. You cannot replace the original ball.
Mark your calendars for our first 2026 Rules Clinic on April 9th at 8:30 am in the Pub. To get people ready for the quiz, I am adding a couple of True/False practice questions here about the Winter Rules procedures. Answers are below my sign off.
A player properly takes relief from a cart path while E-3 is in effect. After the player's dropped ball came to rest, they decided to take advantage of Winter Rules and lifts their ball, cleans it, and properly places it in the relief area and makes a stroke. The player will be penalized for playing from a wrong place. T/F
Winter Rules are not in effect and a player is searching for her ball. She finds a ball in the general area that may be hers but she can't be sure since the ball has some mud on it. The player can always mark, lift and clean the entire ball in this situation. T/F Enjoy those Winter Rules and as always---
Golf On.
#1. False. If a player proceeds under another rule that provides relief from the cart path, then E-3 (Lift, Clean and Place) may be used after the first relief procedure is complete.
#2. False. To Identify a ball, only enough cleaning of the ball is allowed to identify the ball. If the player cleaned the ball more than was needed, she will get one penalty stroke. (Lots of room for interpretation on this one I think!)
I couldn't resist this headline and since we are in for a stretch of bad weather where Winter rules will certainly be needed, I thought a bit of clarification might be in order.
Preferred Lies (often called Winter Rules) is a Model Local Rule (MLR-E3) that allows players to improve their ball's position without penalty due to poor course conditions, often referred to aa "lift, clean and place". It is not a permanent rule of golf and must be enacted by the USGA Committee or tournament organizer. Here at Winchester, Winter Rules begin October 1st and end April 30th.
WHERE THE RULE APPLIES --Closely mown areas only. Usually limited to areas cut to fairway height or less.
--Generally does not apply in the rough, bunkers, penalty areas or on the putting green.
"LIFT, CLEAN AND PLACE" PROCEDURE.
--Mark the spot. While not strictly required for relief under local rule E-3, it is best practice to mark the original spot to ensure you don't place the ball nearer the hole, especially in competition play.
--Lift and clean. You are permitted to pick up the ball and clean of any mud or debris.
--Identify the relief area. Determine the allowed distance from the original spot. In Winchester, that distance in one club length from the original position but at other courses it might only be 6 inches or one scorecard length.
--Place the ball. Set the ball down by hand on a chosen spot within the relief area, not nearer the hole than the original spot.
--You may only place the ball once. Once you let go and the ball stays at rest, it is in play. If the ball moves after being placed due to wind or gravity, you must play it as it lies. You cannot place it again. Playing from outside the specified relief area or nearer the hole results in a two stroke penalty (or loss of the hole in Match Play)
--Under E-3, You may replace the original ball with another ball.
There is another Model Local Rule, E-2 which specifies clean only. In this case, the player MUST mark the ball BEFORE lifting it and the ball must be replaced in its original spot. You cannot replace the original ball.
Mark your calendars for our first 2026 Rules Clinic on April 9th at 8:30 am in the Pub. To get people ready for the quiz, I am adding a couple of True/False practice questions here about the Winter Rules procedures. Answers are below my sign off.
A player properly takes relief from a cart path while E-3 is in effect. After the player's dropped ball came to rest, they decided to take advantage of Winter Rules and lifts their ball, cleans it, and properly places it in the relief area and makes a stroke. The player will be penalized for playing from a wrong place. T/F
Winter Rules are not in effect and a player is searching for her ball. She finds a ball in the general area that may be hers but she can't be sure since the ball has some mud on it. The player can always mark, lift and clean the entire ball in this situation. T/F Enjoy those Winter Rules and as always---
Golf On.
#1. False. If a player proceeds under another rule that provides relief from the cart path, then E-3 (Lift, Clean and Place) may be used after the first relief procedure is complete.
#2. False. To Identify a ball, only enough cleaning of the ball is allowed to identify the ball. If the player cleaned the ball more than was needed, she will get one penalty stroke. (Lots of room for interpretation on this one I think!)