Golf club managers are being advised of an important change to how Local Rules can be applied.
England Golf has reinstated the traditional “winter window” for preferred lies and other weather-related Local Rules, reversing last year’s more flexible approach.
Until recently, clubs had been given discretion to bring in measures such as preferred lies, ball cleaning, or compulsory use of mats whenever conditions required, and scores would still count for handicaps. That guidance reflected concerns about extreme weather becoming more frequent outside the traditional winter months.
But under the updated Adverse/Extreme Weather Guidance, golf clubs can once again only apply three key Model Local Rules – E-2 (cleaning the ball), E-12 (compulsory fairway mats), and E-3 (preferred lies) – between October 1 and April 30. Outside that period, county permission is required before they can be used.
The document states: “Golf clubs can utilise Model Local Rules E-2, E-12, and E-3 between 1st October and 30th April, but ONLY when it is absolutely necessary to do so, on specified areas of the course and when the conditions would mean that acceptable scoring would not be possible without them being in place. Outside this period, permission must be obtained from their County Office.”
England Golf said the move follows county feedback and is intended to ensure equity within the World Handicap System. Sarah Barter, the governing body’s head of handicapping and course rating, explained: “This procedure is being reintroduced to encourage stronger collaboration between counties and their clubs, allowing counties to provide informed guidance on the appropriate use of these rules.
“The aim is to ensure clubs are using the rules correctly, in protecting course conditions, and maintaining fair and consistent scoring environments.
“We will continue to work closely with counties to ensure they have access to the necessary information and educational resources to effectively support their clubs.”
While the flexibility introduced last year allowed clubs to be the ultimate authority on judging playing conditions all year round, the new framework places responsibility back with counties outside of winter.
It also underlines the importance of communication: when Local Rules are brought into effect, clubs must make clear to members and visitors which measures are in place, where on the course they apply, and remove them as soon as practicable.
The updated guidance further highlights that in some cases – even with these Local Rules in place – conditions may still be too severe to allow for acceptable scoring. In those circumstances, courses or tee sets must be switched off within the WHS portal to prevent scores being submitted.
Golf club managers can familiarise themselves with the full Adverse/Extreme Weather Guidance here.
