What are Preferred Lies in Golf: A Beginner’s Guide

A local rule that allows golfers to lift, clean, and place their golf balls in closely mown areas when the course needs better lies for fair play. People use preferred lies in wet weather, during course maintenance, or when nature makes the playing surfaces poor. This rule helps keep games fair when the course isn't in great shape while also protecting it from damage. To use preferred lies the right way, you need clear rules about how far you can move the ball and the eligible areas. Knowing when and how to use preferred lies makes sure everyone follows the rules and plays fair.

What Does Preferred Lies Mean in Golf?

USGA and The R&A formally define this type of relief, and it is available to a player only if the course conditions fall outside of those normally expected for “standard playability.” For example, when the turf becomes waterlogged, the fairways become uneven due to excessive rainfall or the mowers cannot be operated, the Committee has the authority to establish a temporary local rule called Preferred Lies or Winter Rules. This temporary rule is intended to provide the player with the best opportunity possible to complete his round while maintaining turf integrity.

When the Committee declares the course unplayable due to inclement weather or equipment malfunction, the player may remove his ball from the playing surface, clean it, and replace it on the playing surface, but only within the designated relief area (e.g., six inches or the length of a score card).

The player receives no penalty for lifting and replacing his ball under these circumstances, provided that the Preferred Lie/Temporary Relief Rule is in effect. However, if a player takes advantage of the temporary relief rule when it is not in effect, he will receive a penalty under Rule 9.4 (Playing Ball From A Wrong Place).

Where Does the Preferred Lies in Golf Rule Apply?

This rule applies only to closely-mowed areas of the course, specifically, the fairway or areas of the course where the grass is maintained at a uniform height. Areas that do not meet this criterion include roughs, bunkers, penalty areas, and greens. In extremely rare situations, the Committee may declare all areas of the course a Preferred Lie Area during periods of extreme weather and flooding. When the ball lies in an eligible area and you want to take relief, always remember these points:

• Mark the original ball position with a tee or coin.

• Lift and clean the ball, but don’t alter its texture or gloss.

• Place it back in the defined area.

• Any further movement or adjustment is a violation once the ball is in play after placement.

Also Read: How Long Does 18 Holes Of Golf Take?

How Do Preferred Lies Work?

The preferred lies process is not a case of just lift and replace; it's a regulated action that depends on players' integrity, course conditions, and formal notice by the committee. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: The preferred lies rule cannot be individually decided upon by the players. It follows an official word from the committee, which will be posted up on the clubhouse board, announced over the public address before play, or printed on your scorecard. If the rule is off, taking relief will come with a penalty.

Step 2: They apply to a specific area, the "closely mown areas" of the course, which is cut to fairway height. Under bad conditions, this rule might apply to the "general area," which rarely happens. Bunkers, roughs, penalty areas, and putting greens are never under this rule.

Step 3: If your ball rests in a playable area, but its lie is poor because it's muddy, plugged, or in a depression, try to lift the ball after marking the original position. Mark the position of the ball with a marker or tee. Lifting without marking may breach the rules of the game.

Step 4: Clean the ball after lifting, but only to remove mud, dirt, or water. Do not polish it too much or alter its surface. The reason this is important is that even a little bit of mud can alter the flight and spin of the ball.

Step 5: After replacing the ball, remember these rules:

• Place the ball within six inches (or a scorecard's length) of its original position.

• Don't put it any closer to the hole. If the ball moves by itself because of a slope or wind after being placed, you should replace it, because if it moves again, you may incur a penalty.

• When the ball is in the right position and at rest, it's "in play," and you can't touch it again.
  
  

Step 6: While on the course, the players mark and replace the balls in front of their opponents. Even in club games, honesty plays an important part. Misuse of these rules may lead to a certain penalty or even disqualification. The preferred lies rule is turned on or off by the committee before each round based on course conditions. If the weather and turf improve, the rule automatically ends.

Also Know: How To Play Wolf Golf: Rules Of Wolf Golf

How Far Can You Move a Ball?

The organization that puts the local rule in place decides this. The USGA and R&A don't set a specific distance in their suggested wording for the local rule. The example local rule states that a player must place a ball lifted under preferred lies on a spot within a specified area and not closer to the hole than its original position, outside of hazards and not on a putting green. Six inches is a fairly common length for these lies. However, there are other measures as well; some golf courses or tournaments allow the ball to be placed “one scorecard” distance from the original location, others may allow the ball to be placed “one club length” from the original location.