Preferred lies.

[effayjay]

We have recently introduced preferred lies on closely mown areas. Mark ,lift, clean and place within 6 inches, a local rule.

I have seen some golfers who tee their ball up by creating a sort of half divot to perch the ball on rather than use a tee. Is there anything to prevent a player doing the same on the fairway so long as it is within 6 inches of where the ball comes to rest? Doesn’t seem right but not sure what rule would prevent it.

 

[effayjay]

Absolutely no way is that allowed.

My initial response to, but what prevents it?

 

[williamalex1]

You can't create anything, but if there's already a raised piece of turf within the 6 inches fill your boots. Not sure how it would go if there was a tee already teed up left there though

 

[Colin L]

My initial response to, but what prevents it?

Rule 8.1. You are not permitted to improve your lie in the relief area in which your are going to drop or place a ball.

 

[robinthehood]

But a nearby wormcast makes a fine tee.

 

[Imurg]

Rule 8.1. You are not permitted to improve your lie in the relief area in which your are going to drop or place a ball.

But, when preferred lies are in operation, aren't you improving your lie..?

 

[effayjay]

Rule 8.1. You are not permitted to improve your lie in the relief area in which your are going to drop or place a ball.

But the whole point of the Local rule is to enable an improved (or preferred) lie?

 

[Imurg]

It means you can't improve the lies that already exist before you choose where to place your ball.

Yep...been a long day

 

[effayjay]

In a lie that already exists.
That's it.

Makes sense, thanks

 

[Colin L]

But the whole point of the Local rule is to enable an improved (or preferred) lie?

Taking a preferred lie is a form of relief. Yes it will give you a better lie, but one that is there not one you have created, as explained above.

 

[rulefan]

You can't create anything, but if there's already a raised piece of turf within the 6 inches fill your boots. Not sure how it would go if there was a tee already teed up left there though

In fact you can use a left behind tee that that was already positioned for use or anything else that is already in situ.

 

[williamalex1]

In fact you can use a left behind tee that that was already positioned for use or anything else that is already in situ.

I knew that, was only testing and teasing

 

[rulefan]

I knew that, was only testing and teasing

But many don't

 

[Rlburnside]

We have 1 club length preferred lies and sometimes I can tee it up on a raised bit from a plug mark ?

 

[rulefan]

We have 1 club length preferred lies and sometimes I can tee it up on a raised bit from a plug mark ?

So non-qualifiers then. Why doesn't the club use 6"? Are the fairways in such dreadful condition?

 

[Rlburnside]

In fact you can use a left behind tee that that was already positioned for use or anything else that is already in situ.

Ok that’s interesting , after some competitions Texas Scrambles etc you sometimes see tees left on fairways are you saying I could tee it up and hit a driver from the fairway?

 

[rulefan]

Ok that’s interesting , after some competitions Texas Scrambles etc you sometimes see tees left on fairways are you saying I could tee it up and hit a driver from the fairway?

Yes, providing the tee is in the 'correct' position and you don't move or readjust it.

 

[Rlburnside]

So non-qualifiers then. Why doesn't the club use 6"? Are the fairways in such dreadful condition?

We have 1club length preferred lies all year round and are qualifiers, I suppose our course is unique in a way in that our course is built on peat land and our fairways are not pristine, but they are getting better year on year, up until a few years ago it was 2 club lengths

 

[rulefan]

We have 1club length preferred lies all year round and are qualifiers, I suppose our course is unique in a way in that our course is built on peat land and our fairways are not pristine, but they are getting better year on year, up until a few years ago it was 2 club lengths

Have you had authorisation from the county. That is strictly against CONGU rules for Qualifiers.

 

[Slab]

Rule 8.1. You are not permitted to improve your lie in the relief area in which your are going to drop or place a ball.

Can you remove loose impediments in the relief area before you drop or place the ball ? (I thought a player could)