Stephen Haresnape suggested we highlight the published Preferred Lies / Winter Rules entry on the Kingsdown website.
This can be found by logging in and going to INFORMATION / GREENS / PREFERRED LIES
It is worth highlighting a few points
Lift, Clean and Replace
When conditions cause mud to stick to the ball you may lift, clean and replace the ball in all parts of the General
Area (see separate local rule regarding General Area cut to fairway height) without penalty as follows.
The player must mark the spot before lifting the ball (see Rule 14.1) and the original ball must be replaced on its
original spot (see Rule 14.2).
(Note: I can’t find the ‘separate local rule regarding General Area cut to fairway height)
R&A definition of General Area:
The general area includes:
- All teeing locations on the course other than the teeing area (see 1 above), and
- All wrong greens.
Posts and Ropes
The posts and ropes in around the greens used to direct trolleys are immovable obstructions.
Rule 16.1 Immovable Obstructions. This Rule covers free relief that is allowed from interference by animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions or temporary water.
Interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the
obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing.
16.3b Relief for Embedded Ball
When a player’s ball is embedded in the general area and relief is allowed under Rule 16.3a, the player may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3):
These existing rules are about to be revised and the document(s) re-issued. Lift, clean and replace is likely to be removed.