“Winter Rules” are covered by Model Local Rule E-3.
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Winter is upon us, which means many courses across the country are dealing with challenging conditions created by colder weather. Golfers are a hearty bunch, but your local course is likely out of shape in the middle of the season. When these conditions may interfere with fair lies, many fairways will play what are commonly called “winter rules,” which are known in the Rules of Golf as Favorite Lies. This is covered by Model Local Rule E-3.
So how does it work?
Winter Rules allow a player to pick up his ball on the fairway and place it in another spot. The responsible committee or golf course must determine the size of the relief area in which the ball must be placed (such as 6 inches, the length of a score card or even the length of a club). This distance uses the ball’s original location as a reference point, and the ball cannot be placed closer to the hole than that point. Once lifted, the ball can be cleared or even replaced with another ball. If this process would allow the player to go from fairway to edge, or even fairway to edge, that’s fine too.
Winter rules should generally only be used on the fairway of the hole being played. If they lie in areas outside the fairway, it may result in a player receiving unfair free relief from a place where the ball might not otherwise be playable, such as in a bush or group of trees.
Once the player places the ball using the above procedure, it cannot be picked up again and must be played as it lies.
Using winter rules is a great way to extend the season and enjoy the benefits of golf as long as the weather permits.
Todd Stice is the USGA’s manager of Rules technology and education.
