Handicap & Competitions Update
Further Course & Competition News
Dear Members,
Firstly my apologies for inundating you with more emails and Club News, but as things change so quickly at this time of year I hope that you are happy to be kept informed and up to date.
PREFERRED LIES
We have been informed that commencing Monday 13th October, 2025 the fairways at Lee Park are to be verti-drained. As this procedure involves punching holes in all of the fairways and adds to the fact that the ball is already starting to pick up mud, this committee has decided, **with effect from Monday 13th October 2025,** to introduce the following local rule
Local Rule effective from Monday 13th October 2025 until further notice:
When a player’s ball lies on a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, it
may be lifted once without penalty, and may be cleaned. The player must then replace the original
ball, or another, on a spot within a relief area.
• Reference Point: The spot of the original ball.
• Relief Area: The size of the relief area is up to 6 inches (150 mm) from the reference
point, not nearer the hole than the reference point, and which is 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 the ball under rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.
Penalty for breach of Local Rule: General Penalty (Matchplay: loss of hole, Strokeplay:
two stroke penalty)
Note: When lifting a ball it is recommended that a player marks the position of the ball
to establish a fixed reference point
Where the ball lies on a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less, it must be played as it lies.
Golf that is acceptable for Handicap
Whilst preferred lies are on 'closely mown' areas only, we are able to continue playing competitions that are 'Acceptable for Handicap'. We will continue to do this for as long as playing conditions allow.
Tuesday 14th October 2025.
Due to the verti-draining mentioned above, holes will be closed on a rolling basis as the work is carried out. As a result, there will be no Mens' or Ladies' competition on this date.
Autumn Shootout Competition
Following a meeting of the Handicap & Competitions Committee it has been decided to cancel the Mixed Autumn Shootout Shotgun Start Final. Instead of the shotgun start, the final week of this competition will be a rolling tee start bookable in the usual way via BRS. The format of the competition will remain unaltered. The overall winner will be decided by adding the score achieved in the final week to the best two scores achieved in weeks 1 - 4.
In addition to the weekly prizes available, there will be prizes of £75.00, £50.00 and £25.00 for positions 1, 2 & 3 in the overall competition.
We have received mixed messages of whether you prefer individual or team competitions on Sundays through the Autumn and Winter period. As a result, the committee have decided to alternate between individual and team competitions on a weekly basis once the Autumn Shootout ends. If we hear that there is a much stronger preference for one or the other, the program will be adjusted accordingly. Please let us know your preference if you are unhappy with this alternate week arrangement.
We will keep you informed of any further changes to local rules and to competitions as they are decided upon.
Best wishes,
Paul Graff (Chairman)
Handicap & Competitions Committee
Firstly my apologies for inundating you with more emails and Club News, but as things change so quickly at this time of year I hope that you are happy to be kept informed and up to date.
PREFERRED LIES
We have been informed that commencing Monday 13th October, 2025 the fairways at Lee Park are to be verti-drained. As this procedure involves punching holes in all of the fairways and adds to the fact that the ball is already starting to pick up mud, this committee has decided, **with effect from Monday 13th October 2025,** to introduce the following local rule
Local Rule effective from Monday 13th October 2025 until further notice:
When a player’s ball lies on a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, it
may be lifted once without penalty, and may be cleaned. The player must then replace the original
ball, or another, on a spot within a relief area.
• Reference Point: The spot of the original ball.
• Relief Area: The size of the relief area is up to 6 inches (150 mm) from the reference
point, not nearer the hole than the reference point, and which is 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 the ball under rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.
Penalty for breach of Local Rule: General Penalty (Matchplay: loss of hole, Strokeplay:
two stroke penalty)
Note: When lifting a ball it is recommended that a player marks the position of the ball
to establish a fixed reference point
Where the ball lies on a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less, it must be played as it lies.
Golf that is acceptable for Handicap
Whilst preferred lies are on 'closely mown' areas only, we are able to continue playing competitions that are 'Acceptable for Handicap'. We will continue to do this for as long as playing conditions allow.
Tuesday 14th October 2025.
Due to the verti-draining mentioned above, holes will be closed on a rolling basis as the work is carried out. As a result, there will be no Mens' or Ladies' competition on this date.
Autumn Shootout Competition
Following a meeting of the Handicap & Competitions Committee it has been decided to cancel the Mixed Autumn Shootout Shotgun Start Final. Instead of the shotgun start, the final week of this competition will be a rolling tee start bookable in the usual way via BRS. The format of the competition will remain unaltered. The overall winner will be decided by adding the score achieved in the final week to the best two scores achieved in weeks 1 - 4.
In addition to the weekly prizes available, there will be prizes of £75.00, £50.00 and £25.00 for positions 1, 2 & 3 in the overall competition.
We have received mixed messages of whether you prefer individual or team competitions on Sundays through the Autumn and Winter period. As a result, the committee have decided to alternate between individual and team competitions on a weekly basis once the Autumn Shootout ends. If we hear that there is a much stronger preference for one or the other, the program will be adjusted accordingly. Please let us know your preference if you are unhappy with this alternate week arrangement.
We will keep you informed of any further changes to local rules and to competitions as they are decided upon.
Best wishes,
Paul Graff (Chairman)
Handicap & Competitions Committee