Winter Rules or Abnormal Ground Conditions

[mikejohnchapman]

Played 2 couses in Surrey recently where we were told we were playing "winter rules" due to the recent rain.

The first course specified the usual 6" move NNTH but the other allowed a full club length.

Whilst I know there is no such thing as winter rules I wonder if there is guidance for taking such general relief?

 

[Hosel Fade]

There are recommended wordings for local rules within the appendix of the rules which clubs are encouraged to use. However the one for "winter rules" does not recommend one distance over another.

 

[Colin L]

The recommended LR is in Appendix 1 Part 1 3b:

A ball lying on a closely-mown area through the green (or specify a more restricted area, e.g., at the 6th hole) 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 (specify area, e.g., six inches, one club-length, etc.) of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule 20-4). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, Rule 20-3d applies. If the ball when placed comes to rest on the spot on which it is placed and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.

If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it, moves the ball-marker prior to putting the ball back into play or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.

Note: "Closely-mown area" means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

 

[rulefan]

Played 2 couses in Surrey recently where we were told we were playing "winter rules" due to the recent rain.

The first course specified the usual 6" move NNTH but the other allowed a full club length.

Whilst I know there is no such thing as winter rules I wonder if there is guidance for taking such general relief?

The CONGU regulation is very specific for qualifying competitions. The distance MUST be 6".

Incidentally, Appendix I, Part A , 3b is entitled - [h=4]"Preferred Lies" and "Winter Rules"[/h]

 

[jim8flog]

The difference between the two is if you want a competition to be a qualifying comp the it must be in accordance with Congu rules which specify 6".

It is emphasised that preferred lies must apply only when a
[FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]Local Rule [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic][/FONT][/FONT]has been made
and published in accordance with Appendix
1, Part A, 3b of the [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]Rules of Golf [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic][/FONT][/FONT]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.
A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule
20-4). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it is placed, Rule 20-3d

The other point is that if a club wishes to introduce preferred lies and have a qualifying comp outside of the allowed dates they have to obtain the permission of the Local Authority (England and Ireland)


[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]Note:

[FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]Competition Play Conditions [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic][/FONT][/FONT]will only apply when the specified area is within six inches (150 mm). See Clause 15.3
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[3offTheTee]

We had preferred lies on closely mown areas last weekend.

Additionally if the ball was plugged 'in the rough' it could be lifted and dropped without being cleaned.

Is this allowed Rulefan/Colin L

 

[Colin L]

It is permissible for your Committee to put in place a Local Rule allowing relief for a ball embedded in the rough (i.e through the green ). I don't know where it got the idea from that you cannot clean your ball, however. Here's the text:

Rule 25-2 provides relief, without penalty, for a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in any closely-mown area through the green. On the putting green, a ball may be lifted and damage caused by the impact of a ball may be repaired (Rules 16-1b and c). When permission to take relief for an embedded ball anywhere through the green would be warranted, the following Local Rule is recommended:

"Through the green, a ball that is embedded may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.

 

[rulefan]

We had preferred lies on closely mown areas last weekend.
Is this allowed Rulefan/Colin L

You club must have sought permission from the County if the competition was to be a qualifier.
If they hadn't sought and been granted permission, it cannot be a qualifier.

Further, not permitted cleaning of the ball would be considered 'waiving a rule' and could also mean the competition was non-qualifying.

 

[3offTheTee]

You club must have sought permission from the County if the competition was to be a qualifier.
If they hadn't sought and been granted permission, it cannot be a qualifier.

Further, not permitted cleaning of the ball would be considered 'waiving a rule' and could also mean the competition was non-qualifying.

Cheers RF. on the basis that they did not seek permission and the Competition re cleaning the ball was 'waived' what should happen now.

Whilst little intention of saying anything what should happen to The Comp and results please?

This is only for my own education for the future.

Many thanks

 

[Colin L]

Cheers RF. on the basis that they did not seek permission and the Competition re cleaning the ball was 'waived' what should happen now.

Whilst little intention of saying anything what should happen to The Comp and results please?

This is only for my own education for the future.

Many thanks

The Competition and results in terms of winners and prizes are entirely a matter for your club. In CONGU terms, it is non-qualifying and does not count towards handicap adjustments.

 

[3offTheTee]

Many thanks Colin really appreciate your input

 

[rulefan]

Cheers RF. on the basis that they did not seek permission and the Competition re cleaning the ball was 'waived' what should happen now.

Whilst little intention of saying anything what should happen to The Comp and results please?

This is only for my own education for the future.

Many thanks

As it happens counties seem to be checking up on unauthorised use of PLs. If a county was made aware of breaches of CONGU regulations they would no doubt take action.