Can I put my ball on the first cut instead of the fairway? Rules Guy

The Rules of Golf Are Complicated! Thankfully, we have the teacher. our Rules Guy knows the book inside out. Have a question? He has all the answers.

If the local rule in effect says you can putt 6 inches in the fairway and my shot lands 1 inch in the fairway, can I putt that ball within 5 inches on the first cut if I prefer? Technically, that wouldn’t improve my lie since I’ve gone to a supposedly worse surface. —Wayne Mudgway, via email

Presumably, you are referring to the Preferred Lies Local Rule—Model Local Rule E-3. If so, yes, you can place the ball anywhere in the general area within the specified distance.

If you’ve been inclined to put the ball in the rough (“first cut”? Playing Augusta National?), that’s really your prerogative. The Rules Guy himself will admit that he is sometimes intimidated by the tight terrain, preferring the forgiveness of a lie on the launch pad.

For more tips on our teacher’s favorite lies, read on…

Situation: a stroke-play contest, favorite lies in use. When replacing her ball on the fairway, a player uses the ball extension line. After removing her mark, she is not happy with the goal. Is she allowed to re-score the ball and adjust? – Jim Donnelly, Tampa, Fla.

Alas and sadly, it may not be. The local preferred rule stands, MLR E-3 (which, in fact, does not require the placement of a ball marker), is what allowed the player to replace the ball however she wanted it to line up.

But this local rule allows you to place the ball only once. So once the ball was placed, the player no longer had a rule that allowed him to lift the ball – which includes spinning it. Here’s hoping she managed to hit the green despite it all.

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