(Appendix I, Section 8 E(3), Model Local Rules “Preferred Lies”; R’s 14.1 and 14.2; R 1.3c(4); R8.1; R 10.2)

1. Preferred Lies

Golf in the mountains is often played under the Local Rule of “Lift, Clean, and Place” as the fairways at times can get a bit soggy. In fact, Foremost has found that “LCP” (aka, “Preferred Lies” or “Winter Rules”) on fairways only, seems to be the accepted and practiced rule in many general play club competitions (at least, by the players), regardless of Committee guidance or weather and course playing conditions, as players are accustomed to play under this Local Rule.

No problem!

Nevertheless, an incident did occur during a recent team competition (best two balls of foursome) which led to a course discussion, and which prompted F to review the “LCP” Local Rule.

Facts.

F sat in the cart and watched as his cart companion and partner carefully constructed a small mound of grass clippings atop which he placed his ball for his second shot into a par five. A couple of pinches of grass shavings did the trick!

“I can do this, can’t I?”, said the playing partner (who had never heard of F).

“Actually, no”, said F, who as Readers know is reluctant to call penalties in friendly competitions on the golf course.

“Sure I can”, said the partner, “as long as I use grass found within one club-length of the ball. Everyone does it.”

Of course, F’s Readers know that this practice is impermissible. It did, however, prompt F to review the “LCP” Local Rule.

The Rules of Golf are comprised of Rules 1-24 and Definitions, and any Local Rules the Committee has adopted for general play or competitions on the course. The Model Local Rule for “Preferred Lies” is found under “Committee Procedures” Appendix I, Section 8 E (3). The three general principles of the Local Rule are: 1) use the ball as the reference point , 2) lift, clean, and place the ball within the distance specified by the Committee (often 6 inches, a scorecard width, or a club-length), and 3) place the ball on a spot no nearer the hole.

Under these general guidelines for the Local Rule, the specific rules for lifting and placing are outlined in Rule 14.1 and 14.2a and b. First, the player must use the same ball he lifted, subject to the General Penalty.

Further, the specific requirements for LCP (subject to a one stroke penalty each*) include:

-always mark the ball before lifting (with ball marker or club head)

-always remove the ball marker before making a stroke, and

-place the ball on a spot … no kicking, rolling or finagling the ball with the club head

*but note that under the”bargain rule” R1.3c(4), if the same ball ends up on the correct spot (the emphasis here is on location), only one penalty stroke will be assessed where multiple penalties are related to the single act of marking or placing.

The Reader will remember, however, that in the case at hand the player constructed an elevated tee of grass clippings on the “spot” he had selected for his ball placement. The mandate that a player play the course as he finds it, also, applies to an area where a player may drop or place his ball, the relief area. R8.1. The penalty is the General Penalty, two strokes for the player in a team stroke play competition.

2. A Question

In four-ball competition at the dramatic 18th hole at OEI, Reader and opponent TD swaggered up to the tee limbering up with his driver. He and his partner SS had closed the initial match play bet on the preceding hole. A press bet remained on the table.

TD glanced at F who was standing nearby and holding a fairway wood. “I guess you weren’t going to tell me I don’t need a driver here”, he said to F. “Unbelievable. Why not?”

F the Reluctant quickly responded by calling a R10.2 General Penalty violation on TD for asking “advice”. Ok … F still has his moments…

3. F Addresses Post-Play Dispute

Reader RM sought his own advice from F regarding a massive wager at BMCC.

He stated that he had lost a competition to Reader JS and had paid his bet in full, as calculated by JS in the locker room after the competition.

Later that night, he said he had received an urgent call from JS, who said that he had miscalculated the bet and that, in fact, RM owed him more money.

RM asked F if he should pay.

Ruling.

F finds that under long-standing locker room practices and precedents, and general rules of etiquette, the competition is closed when the scores are posted and the bets are paid. To suggest otherwise would invite chaos. Hell no, don’t pay!

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F