On the Course... Due to the recent wet weather conditions players are starting to experience mud on their golf balls. Notice is given that preferred lies will be in operation with effect from Sunday, 1 October 2017. This rule is necessary to take into account the current abnormal playing conditions. Preferred Lies Rule. Appendix I, Part A - Local Rules. b. “Preferred Lies” and “Winter Rules” 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/she must place it on a spot within six inches 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 their 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 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. Penalty for breach of local rule - Matchplay – Loss of hole and Strokeplay – Two strokes.
If a player incurs the general penalty for a breach of this Local Rule, no additional penalty under the Local Rule is applied. Paul Brown,
General Manager.
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