Due to the wettest Winter on record, England Golf have extended the preferred lies period from the usual end of April to the 31st of May. This applies to both casual golf and competition golf. Please see the full preferred lies ruling below taken from the England Golf website:

When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.

Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:

Limits on Location of Relief Area:
- Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
- Must be in the general area.

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e. But for the purposes of applying Rule 14.2e, the player has only chosen the spot on which to place the ball once the ball has been set down, and the player has let the ball go with the intent for that ball to be in play.

After a ball has been placed and is in play under this Local Rule, if the player then proceeds under another Rule that provides relief, this Local Rule may be used again.

For clarification, relief is available within the general area if any part of the ball touches an area cut to fairway height or less.
This rule does not apply to the cut around the bunker tops.

Please also remember that free relief may be taken under rule 16.3 if your ball is plugged (embedded) anywhere in the general area of the course. This includes the rough, but does not include hazards such as bunkers and ditches. All abnormal course conditions rulings can be found under rule 16 on the R and A rules of golf website.

Many thanks

The Oaks