RULE OF THE WEEK...PREFERRED LIES
PREFERRED LIES
The rule relating to preferred lies is a local rule and, as
such, is not in the small rule book that everyone should have a copy of.
So, this is a summary of the rule in the full rule book.
When taking a preferred lie, the player may take relief once
by placing the original ball within the appropriate distance of the original
spot.
Several things are important to note here.
Firstly, it is vital to choose a good place to move your
ball to, because if you decide you don’t like it, too late, you can only move
it once under this rule.
Secondly, what happens if you place your ball and it subsequently
moves off that spot? In the past, as many of you would remember, you had to
play the ball from where it rolled to. BUT, this rule changed in 2019 and, now,
you must replace the ball on the spot you first moved it to. If for some
reason, it won’t stay there, you need to place it as near as possible, no
nearer the hole, so that it will stay in place.
Thirdly, do you have to mark the original spot before you
prefer your ball? Again, in the old rules you did have to. Again, this changed
in 2019, so that you can simply move it to the new position. However, if you
wish to clean your ball, as permitted, before you prefer it, then it makes total
sense to put a marker down in the original position, so that you know exactly
where it was.
Fourthly, it is very important, when playing at other clubs, to check their local rule regarding preferred lies, as often they can be different from our local rule. For example, some clubs only have 15cm, not 30cm preferred lie. (I have even played at a course where there was a club length preferred lie!)
Some courses may also have preferred lies on just one or two fairways that may have been
damaged. Others, I am told, insist on you marking your ball. So, with this and
all other local rules, make sure you are in the habit of reading the local
rules board at any club where you play.
Finally, on this topic, try your best to get into the habit of checking the sign on our first tee. (There are 2 of them!) How many times have you been walking down the first and suddenly wondered whether its preferred lies fairways only, or in the general area (through the green).
Happy golfing,
Jenny
