Golf’s most common winter rule is banished! How the change will impact your rounds all year round
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Unless you’re a conspiracy theorist, you’ll have noticed that the world’s climate is changing, and golf is updating its rules to reflect the unpredictable nature of the weather.
I’m based in the UK, and I’ve been used to ‘winter rules’ kicking in on October 31 and staying in place until the end of April, but from now on plenty of those cold and wet weather guidelines can be used throughout the year.
“Inclement weather is becoming more frequent during all seasons,” England Golf said in a statement outlining the updated laws.
But how will the changes affect you? The biggest difference will see clubs being allowed to put Model Local Rule E-3, better known to you and I as Preferred Lies, all year round with scores recorded while it’s in place still acceptable under the World Handicap System.
Preferred lies allow players to lift, clean, and place their ball within six inches (15cm) of its original position when in the fairway or closely-mown areas without any penalty. The only stipulation is that the ball cannot be replaced nearer the hole, in a penalty area, or on a putting green.
The rule had already been extended until the end of May to reflect the extended periods of wet weather we now get in England, but the time restriction is now gone and the rule can be put in place throughout the season.
“Exception MLR E-3 Preferred Lies no longer has a defined period for use, and a club may, if conditions require it, utilize this Model Local Rule throughout the year,” England Golf announced.
“Winter Rules is not a term stated within the Rules of Handicapping. Therefore, the guidance has been adapted to be focused on periods of extreme or adverse weather.
“Clubs must use the Model Local Rule appropriately and on areas of the course where it is required. They must also be removed as soon practicably possible.”
Everything else around the rule remains the same with the change simply allowing clubs to choose when they apply the Model Local Rules. A dive into the rules also reveals some small tweaks to guidance around temporary greens, fairway mats, and closed holes.
“Previously, ‘winter rules’ were applicable between October 1 and April 30. Within WHS, there is no reference to specific use of ‘winter rules’, only that there is an active or inactive season. In England, WHS remains active all year round, therefore the term ‘winter rules’ does not exist and the limitation on when Model Local Rules can be applied has been removed.”
Wales Golf is expected to follow suit with further discussions taking place in the coming months, while Scottish Golf send out an adverse weather document that offers supporting guidance to clubs wanting to run counting competitions or general play scores in periods of poor weather during the year.
Scottish golf clubs will still work within set dates for preferred lies, but have the power to implement Model Local Rules around cleaning the ball, preferred lies, fairway mats, and bunkers outside of that period.
Scottish clubs were given the power to implement temporary approvals last year and that will be the case again for 2024-2025.
Calum Grant, part of Scottish Golf’s handicapping team, said clubs could allow preferred lies on a competition-by-competition basis, or a day-to-day basis, without needing approval from the Fife body.
“That’s just to account for scenarios where, for example, there’s a sudden deluge or downpour in the morning and the competition can still go ahead.
“If a club wishes to have an extension of the preferred lies period, we’ve been happy to grant that and we would maybe give it to them for two, three weeks, or a month,” Grant said.
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About the Author
Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.
He’s passionate about the equipment used by professional golfers and is also a font of knowledge when it comes to golf balls, golf trolleys, and golf bags, testing thousands down the years.
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Changes to winter golf rules will make a big difference to golfers.
