Local Rules Update – Preferred Lies Removed

The temporary local rule allowing preferred lies in the closely mown area will be withdrawn with effect from the commencement of play on Wednesday 9 September.

The ball must be played as it lies.

However, the following temporary local rule relating to GUR for greens perimeters will still be in effect.

Optional GUR Relief for Work on Greens Perimeters
If a ball comes to rest in the area around the greens where the turf has been cut for ridge reduction purposes, optional relief is provided as follows:

The turf-cut area is to be treated as GUR for the lie of the ball only;

Relief is not provided if there is interference to stance, but the ball does not lie in the GUR;

Relief is optional.

The area of GUR is defined by the turf cut lines on the inner and outer edges. If a ball is inside or touches these lines, it is in the GUR.

If relief is taken, the nearest point of maximum relief, not nearer the hole, must be determined. The ball must be dropped and come to rest within one club length of that point, but not nearer the hole than that nearest point of maximum relief.

The place where the ball is dropped must not be on the putting green, and must not result in the ball being in, or a player’s stance being interfered by, a bunker.

The player’s stance must be completely outside of the GUR when playing the ball after relief has been taken.

The Match Committee