doublebogey7
Head Pro
And neither could they do that previously.
No more Winter Rules.....
- Thread starter Imurg
- Start date
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Yet some clubs appear to have have mailed their members with that exact information
D-S
Well-known member
The only real change is that now from 1st May until 30th September, if a club wants to introduce Preferred Lies they now can without reference to the County.
Everything else remains exactly the same as it was last year.
Simple.
Everything else remains exactly the same as it was last year.
Simple.
doublebogey7
Head Pro
Have they, I have seen no evidence of such mail being issued by any club.
Ye Olde Boomer
Well-known member
What's the rule change in question?
I'm not sure how it might affect the guys at my club.
We believe in "suggestions," not "rules."
I'm not sure how it might affect the guys at my club.
We believe in "suggestions," not "rules."
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Yeah it seems so, just from posts on this thread saying so
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Yes ours did just that.! 1 Oct until May 2025.
It even quotes marking the ball? Lift clean and place not more than 6” from the reference point.
Last edited:
doublebogey7
Head Pro
Fair enough, but no doubt those same clubs did the same previously, so nothing there has changed.
D-S
Well-known member
It was within their power to remove or reinstate these rules at any time from 1/10 to 30/4 without reference to anyone else - they chose to do as they did whether the conditions warranted it or not (if they thought they weren’t needed it they could/should have removed the local rule).
The only difference now is that they can do it wrongly or rightly now without any need for permission - this change doesn’t make them any better or cleverer, it just allows them to do it without seeking permission from 1/5 to 30/9 i.e whenever they like.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
I didn’t say it did.
I just said “ they have sent an email telling us it’s PL until May.!
D-S
Well-known member
As I have said on various WHS threads and this one, it is not the system or the rules it is the competence, knowledge and diligence of those who are charged with the oversight and control of it i.e. the Handicap Committee.
Unfortunately these capabilities and their resulting performance is incredibly variable.
Unfortunately these capabilities and their resulting performance is incredibly variable.
KenL
Tour Rookie
Indeed, a few popular landing zones on my course where there are a lot of divots. GKs work hard to seed them.
tobybarker
Active member
Will the other uk golf unions adopt it too? We are in Wales
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Well I imagine so it does make sense to give clubs the power.
Springveldt
Well-known member
Email this morning from the club saying preferred lies are back off from tomorrow. I guess someone has read the new rules.
I didn’t take a single PL yesterday as it simply wasn’t needed, good call by the club to take them back off.
I didn’t take a single PL yesterday as it simply wasn’t needed, good call by the club to take them back off.
D-S
Well-known member
They could/should have done this last year too.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
The GM has asked for some clarification in regards daily actions
Springveldt
Well-known member
To be fair, last year was ridiculous. It’s a links course and we were getting mud balls from November right through till middle of May. Wasn’t really opportunity to take them off.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
So we just had this email:
Dear Members,
Local Rule E-3 is now in place:
"When any part of a player's ball touches 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: One scorecard length 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."
This Model Local Rule E-3 has replaced what was commonly referred to as preferred lies and there is no such term as "winter rules".
If conditions alter the rule above will be removed, it does not automatically apply until 1st May.
Just seems like another case of golf over-complicating things pointlessly. I imagine this will stay until May realistically, but instead of 'preferred lies' 'pick and place' or 'winter rules' we have to call it 'Local Rule E-3'. Political correctness gone mad!
Dear Members,
Local Rule E-3 is now in place:
"When any part of a player's ball touches 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: One scorecard length 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."
This Model Local Rule E-3 has replaced what was commonly referred to as preferred lies and there is no such term as "winter rules".
If conditions alter the rule above will be removed, it does not automatically apply until 1st May.
Just seems like another case of golf over-complicating things pointlessly. I imagine this will stay until May realistically, but instead of 'preferred lies' 'pick and place' or 'winter rules' we have to call it 'Local Rule E-3'. Political correctness gone mad!
D-S
Well-known member
One Scorecard Length?So we just had this email:
Dear Members,
Local Rule E-3 is now in place:
"When any part of a player's ball touches 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: One scorecard length 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."
This Model Local Rule E-3 has replaced what was commonly referred to as preferred lies and there is no such term as "winter rules".
If conditions alter the rule above will be removed, it does not automatically apply until 1st May.
Just seems like another case of golf over-complicating things pointlessly. I imagine this will stay until May realistically, but instead of 'preferred lies' 'pick and place' or 'winter rules' we have to call it 'Local Rule E-3'. Political correctness gone mad!
That is not the correct local rule. This is the excerpt from the correct one
"For scores to be acceptable for handicapping, the Local Rule may only allow the lie to be preferred on grass cut to fairway height or less, within six inches of the original lie of the ball."
If your scorecards are longer than 6 inches then your scores with this version of the rule in place will not be acceptable.
