England Golf guidance asks clubs to use Local Rules when it’s not possible to return a handicap score without them. But what does that mean?
Preferred lies, flooded bunkers, the compulsory use of fairway mats – we’re aware of the Local Rules that can be at our disposal when extreme conditions strike.
As we head into the autumn and winter months, you might be looking to use many of those tools to ensure your course offers the fairest test in the conditions.
With the World Handicap System not having an off-season, golfers are encouraged to return scores for handicap purposes throughout the year, and it is expected – when it is possible – that clubs provide a “golf course on which acceptable scores can be posted”.
In the latest edition of the adverse/extreme weather guidance from England Golf, clubs are told they must switch off courses and tee sets when “conditions mean acceptable scoring is not possible”.
And they are also informed that “clubs may only use the Model Local Rules when acceptable scoring is not possible without them”.
But that leads to the question: What are the conditions where acceptable scoring is not possible?
Examples include:
- Frozen ground
- Extensive areas of temporary water or abnormal course conditions where complete relief is not possible
- Excessively soft ground – where there is minimal to no roll
Can clubs use preferred lies and other Local Rules throughout the winter?
Outside the defined winter period of October 1 to April 30, clubs need to seek county permission to utilise Local Rules, such as preferred lies.
But are they restricted during the colder period? Some clubs may want to use preferred lies over a blanket period covering much, or all, of the winter.
Does that transgress guidance that Local Rules should only be used when acceptable scoring is not otherwise possible?
Clubs have the freedom to implement the rules in the winter months due to the frequency of inclement weather. If they don’t need them, they don’t need to use them, but the use of such rules is at their discretion during that period.
Golf club managers can familiarise themselves with the full Adverse/Extreme Weather Guidance here.
Key takeaways
Local Rules should only be used when needed — England Golf’s guidance states they apply only when acceptable scoring isn’t possible without them (e.g. frozen ground or extensive temporary water).
Clubs can still enable scoring through winter — Between October 1 and April 30, clubs have discretion to use Local Rules such as preferred lies to keep courses playable, but they shouldn’t apply them unnecessarily.
Handicap scores remain valid year-round — With the World Handicap System in continuous operation, clubs are expected to offer a course set-up that allows acceptable scores whenever conditions permit.
