Preferred Lies (Winter Rules).
For the avoidance of doubt:
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. They must 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,
Stroke play: 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.
Once ball is placed , it cannot be moved again.