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Preferred lie - nearer the hole

KenL

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Apologies if this has come up before.

Under congu rules is it permissible under covid to take a preferred lie in a bunker closer to the hole?

Thanks
 
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We've been doing preferred lies in bunkers since last year due to no rakes. I always mark my ball before lifting and moving, but I've seen only one other person doing so.
Should those lifting without marking be penalised in comps?
 
We've been doing preferred lies in bunkers since last year due to no rakes. I always mark my ball before lifting and moving, but I've seen only one other person doing so.
Should those lifting without marking be penalised in comps?

I seem to recall that a ball only needs marking if it's being replaced but not if being moved
 
We've been doing preferred lies in bunkers since last year due to no rakes. I always mark my ball before lifting and moving, but I've seen only one other person doing so.
Should those lifting without marking be penalised in comps?
No. A ball that has to be replaced has to be marked before being lifted. A ball being placed (within 6 inches or whatever) doesn't .
 
Just found this on randa.org

Q. So how do I prefer the lie under the Local Rule?
If the player chooses to prefer the lie of the ball, the position of the ball must be first marked. Most players will use a tee to mark the position of the ball but a coin or other similar sized object is suitable. Once the position of the ball has been marked, the player can then lift the ball and clean it if desired. The ball must then be placed on a spot no nearer the hole within the area specified by the Committee, e.g. within six inches.
 
We've been doing preferred lies in bunkers since last year due to no rakes. I always mark my ball before lifting and moving, but I've seen only one other person doing so.
Should those lifting without marking be penalised in comps?

Marking the position of the ball when it is being moved to another place is no longer required (2019 rule change).
 
Just found this on randa.org

Q. So how do I prefer the lie under the Local Rule?
If the player chooses to prefer the lie of the ball, the position of the ball must be first marked. Most players will use a tee to mark the position of the ball but a coin or other similar sized object is suitable. Once the position of the ball has been marked, the player can then lift the ball and clean it if desired. The ball must then be placed on a spot no nearer the hole within the area specified by the Committee, e.g. within six inches.

You must have found an old Q&A

As per Backwoodsman

The new* model Local Rule E3 does not require the ball to be marked

Model Local Rule E-3

“When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less [or identify a specific area such as ‘on the fairway the 6th hole’], the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:
etc

* If you consider Jan 2019 to be new
 
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Just found this on randa.org

Q. So how do I prefer the lie under the Local Rule?
If the player chooses to prefer the lie of the ball, the position of the ball must be first marked. Most players will use a tee to mark the position of the ball but a coin or other similar sized object is suitable. Once the position of the ball has been marked, the player can then lift the ball and clean it if desired. The ball must then be placed on a spot no nearer the hole within the area specified by the Committee, e.g. within six inches.
Have you got a more specific link to that statement.
 
Must have stumbled on a 2013 version in haste.

If I choose to clean my ball when taking preferred lie in a bunker in Covid conditions local rule, can I walk out of the bunker to my bag and clean ball on a towel, then return to place the ball without having marked it?
Is there any penalty if I mark my ball in the bunker before lifting?
I would do this in order to be able to do the above cleaning procedure and have certainty as to its original position when returning to place the ball within 6 inches of its original position.
 
Must have stumbled on a 2013 version in haste.

If I choose to clean my ball when taking preferred lie in a bunker in Covid conditions local rule, can I walk out of the bunker to my bag and clean ball on a towel, then return to place the ball without having marked it?
Is there any penalty if I mark my ball in the bunker before lifting?
I would do this in order to be able to do the above cleaning procedure and have certainty as to its original position when returning to place the ball within 6 inches of its original position.
1) Seemingly
2) No
3) A good idea if you don't want to be challenged on the placing position. But you could "draw a line in the sand"
 
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