Golf: preferred lie?

Question

My friend and playing partner always plays preferred lie after every shot ( except on the green ) This means he is always adjusting his shot and raising his ball up on the fairway and in the rough. Is this legal and correct. I have played "winter rules" before, but only when the course is in bad condition.

Answer 1

You can play that way under local rules, but it's best not to. Ball the ball down and you will play better in the long run

Answer 2

Depends on two main things:

1. Are you playing in a competition - rules are usually stipulated beforehand?
2. Are you moving the ball for the sake of doing so?

Then ask the question, do I gain advantage under the rules?

Preferred lies usually arise as a consequence of protecting the course during winter months, and allow the golfer the chance to clean the ball and replace in a more favourable condition. In taking this relief, it should be remembered that the original resting place of the ball should be marked with a tee-peg, and the ball replaced as provided for under the rules of golf, or the locally applied rule whichever prevails at the time. This rule often restricts the new location to within a fixed distance of the old one.

Answer 3

A lot of weekend golfers play this way. It is a common practice. If I were you, I would always ask on the first tee box, or at least when you get to your second shot. Just say, "Are we playing it up or down?" This is just for a casual round of golf. A tournament would not allow this unless it is a Scramble or it is stated in the tournament rules.

You will however, become a better golfer by playing it down, or as it lies. When you play it up, you have a tendency to always have a "flyer" lie so you won't learn how the ball reacts off the club under various lies.

Answer 4

I feel the practice is a form of cheating. My understanding of winter rules is you can clean you ball and replace it where it landed. It was not designed for you to prop the ball up in the rough for a better lie.

I have played with some folks and they do that regardless of the conditions or the course or the time of year. It is something they do every time. For that reason I think it is a form of cheating.

I subsequently did a little more research and as others have said the player can not decide winter rules or preferred lies are in effect. It is a call by the course itself and the course determines how to apply the rule. For example many require the ball to be replaced within 6 inches of where it landed.

If your friend is the one deciding "preferred lies" are in place, I would say he is not following the basic golf rule of play it where it lies.

Answer 5

Preferred lies" (also known as "winter rules") is a condition that exists by local rule only and under which golfers are, on certain parts of a golf course, allowed to improve their lies without penalty.
"Preferred lies" is not codified in any of the 34 rules that make up the Rules of Golf. The practice is only mentioned in an appendix to the rules, where there is also a sample local rule for use by courses, clubs or committees.

Generally, preferred lies are put into place when adverse weather conditions (such as harsh winters) impact the golf course itself. Under the most common usage of preferred lies, a player whose ball is in the fairway would be allowed to improve the lie if that ball was, for example, on a bare patch of ground (where the turf had died due to weather conditions).

Preferred lies can differ from course to course; only a course, club or committee can declare preferred lies in effect (a player may not declare, in absence of a ruling from the club or course, that he is playing under preferred lies).

Answer 6

Well i have been playing golf for 13 years and yes it's illegal. the rule clearly states play the ball as it lies. But if it is just u and some friends playing than, i believe it is ok.. but in PGA or course sponsored events unless it is specified in the rules of the tournament that u can use a perefered lie. for example the closest thing to that rule is lift clean and place. this is a rule in bad weather coniditions such as rain. becauses ur ball can become a bit messy in those conditions. hopefully this answered ur question.

Answer 7

Just add a penalty stroke every time they move their ball. After the first hole, they will stop playing preferred lies.

It's always funny to me when someone played a preferred lie and I automatically add a penalty stroke to their score. The common response I get is: "WHAT??" lol

Unless the golf course says it's "Winter Rules" for that day, you need to play the ball as it lies. Rule 13.

Answer 8

if your freind is playing a practice round, and not keeping score, then who cares. but even just adding a penalty stroke to every move doesn't make it a proper golf score. unless local rules stipulate differently, it is a game different than golf.
In Yellowknife, N.W.T., for example, good grass never grows, so you carry an astroturf mat around with you to place your ball on for each shot, but I am assuming this is not a situation like this.

Answer 9

You should have them not play this way, as it is a huge advantage, especially out of the rough.

You may play with lift clean and place, when a course is wet, and it is exactly as it sounds, you spot the ball, clean it and place it back within one club lenght no closer to the hole

Answer 10

The "prefered lie" or "foot wedge' was invented by a Scottish golfer named Mulligan...both are illegal unless playing with friends and a cart full of beer. For a serious round or tournament neither Mr. Mulligan or his lie should come out of the bag, unless stipulated by the officials...