Preferred Lies
with effect from 1st November 2025
Please note that with effect from 1st November 2025, it has been agreed that Preferred Lies will be in place as we move toward fairway protection measures for the winter. The Temporary Local Rule in force is as follows:

When any part of a player's ball touches 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:
o Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
o 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.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE:

Stroke Play – Two strokes
Match Play – Loss of Hole