Preferred Lies, through the green

[BTatHome]

Ok, ok, ok, I've seen many many threads with the comment that preferred lies can not be through the green, in order to be a qualifier it must state closely mown.

So, the question is .... where is this stated?

I believe you should try to use the local rule as stated in the rule book, but can't you also modify the rule too so that it reflects your course. Could the rule be modified with county approval?

Background, we have some new holes introduced, so a fairly extensive part of the course, there is a worry that areas of the rough could still contain partially buried flints, so rather than marking up huge areas of GUR it would better to be able to say 'across holes 3-8 preferred lies through in the green is in operation'.

 

[louise_a]

It is in the CONGU manual and states closely mown areas through the green.

 

[Colin L]

1. You are not permitted by the Rules of Golf to modify any of the rules.
2. You are not permitted by CONGU to have a qualifying round that is not played according to the Rules of Golf.
3. If you modify a rule, the round is consequently non-qualifying.

I'm away from home and can't provide references but that's the general principle not just specific to preferred lies.

 

[BTatHome]

Thanks guys, no need for anything more. I'd already stated these to the club and just wanted to fully understand that I hadn't missed anything and/or they hadn't figured out a way around it.

A simple addition of "closely mown areas" will solve the issue, but that will be a miracle to get someone to admit !

 

[SammmeBee]

Why not just mow those bits and not make them rough?

 

[rulefan]

From the CONGU Manual

It is emphasised that preferred lies must apply only when a Local Rule has been made
and published in accordance with Appendix 1, Part A, 3b of the Rules of Golf as follows:
’A ball lying on a closely mown area through the green may be lifted without penalty
and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the
ball, he must place it on a spot within 6 inches [150mm] of and not nearer the hole
than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

 

[Smiffy]

A mate of mine won an honours board comp one winter where they played preferred lies in the rough!
Shot a net 63. He'd never have shot that if he had been hacking out of the crap.

 

[duncan mackie]

Background, we have some new holes introduced, so a fairly extensive part of the course, there is a worry that areas of the rough could still contain partially buried flints, ....

I am afraid that if this is the situation now, it will pretty much for ever unless it's dealt with.

Absolutley no point in any LR other than completely taking the area out of play for ever...better to bite the bullet and get it all redone properly, or accept it as it is. Even rolling the areas when damp to bury them isn't going to resolve it as clubs will still strike them and they will reappear.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

we have some new holes introduced, so a fairly extensive part of the course, there is a worry that areas of the rough could still contain partially buried flints

In my previous club we had new holes built. once fully in play my mate hit a shot into the deep clag a good bit off the fairway - he found it and it looked playable so he took a might swipe at it..CLANG!!!! His ball was sitting on a only just buried car exhaust.

 

[williamalex1]

Over the winter [ non qualifiers ] we play preferred lies through the green .