Preferred Lies within Ground Under Repair
3 min read
The Situation
If my ball is in Ground Under Repair (GUR), can I use take 'Preferred Lies' within the GUR?
The Ruling
That's a good question! It requires understanding how Ground Under Repair (GUR) interacts with the 'Preferred Lies' rule (often called 'Lift, Clean, and Place').
Here's the breakdown:
1. Playing from GUR is an Option: Under Rule 16.1, when your ball is in GUR (an Abnormal Course Condition), you may take free relief. You aren't required to take relief unless the GUR is also marked as a No Play Zone. So, playing the ball as it lies from within the GUR is one of your options.
2. Preferred Lies (Model Local Rule E-3): This Local Rule typically allows you to lift, clean, and place your ball within a specified area (e.g., 6 inches, one club-length) of its original spot, no nearer the hole. Crucially, Model Local Rule E-3 usually specifies that it applies 'When a player's ball touches part of the general area cut to fairway height or less [or identify a specific area such as 'on the fairway of the 6th hole']...'
3. Can you take a preferred lie within GUR?
Yes, IF:
The Local Rule for 'Preferred Lies' (like Model Local Rule E-3) is in effect.
AND the specific area of GUR where your ball lies meets the conditions stated in that Preferred Lies Local Rule. For example, if the GUR is a damaged patch on the fairway (which is cut to fairway height or less), and preferred lies are in effect for fairways, then you could take your preferred lie from your spot within that GUR area on the fairway.
No, IF:
The GUR where your ball lies does not meet the conditions of the Preferred Lies Local Rule (e.g., the GUR is in the rough, and preferred lies are only for fairways).
Or, if no Preferred Lies Local Rule is in effect.
4. Alternative Scenario:
You could first take free relief from the GUR under Rule 16.1b. This involves finding your nearest point of complete relief (NPCR) and dropping within one club-length, no nearer the hole, and in the general area.
After you have dropped and your ball is in play, if that new spot now meets the conditions for the Preferred Lies Local Rule (e.g., your drop lands on the fairway), you could then take your preferred lie from that new spot. The text for MLR E-3 confirms this: 'After a ball has been placed and is in play under this Local Rule, if the player then proceeds under another Rule that provides relief, this Local Rule may be used again.' This implies the sequence works both ways.
In summary:
You can always choose to play your ball as it lies from GUR (unless it's a No Play Zone).
If a 'Preferred Lies' Local Rule is in effect, you can take a preferred lie from within the GUR only if the spot where your ball lies in the GUR meets the specific criteria of that Preferred Lies Local Rule (e.g., it's on a fairway, and preferred lies are active for fairways). Otherwise, your options are:
Play it as it lies from the GUR (no preferred lie).
Take free relief from the GUR. Then, if the spot where you drop qualifies for a preferred lie, you can take one.
Always check the exact wording of the Local Rules in effect for the competition or the course on that day.
Here's the breakdown:
1. Playing from GUR is an Option: Under Rule 16.1, when your ball is in GUR (an Abnormal Course Condition), you may take free relief. You aren't required to take relief unless the GUR is also marked as a No Play Zone. So, playing the ball as it lies from within the GUR is one of your options.
2. Preferred Lies (Model Local Rule E-3): This Local Rule typically allows you to lift, clean, and place your ball within a specified area (e.g., 6 inches, one club-length) of its original spot, no nearer the hole. Crucially, Model Local Rule E-3 usually specifies that it applies 'When a player's ball touches part of the general area cut to fairway height or less [or identify a specific area such as 'on the fairway of the 6th hole']...'
3. Can you take a preferred lie within GUR?
Yes, IF:
The Local Rule for 'Preferred Lies' (like Model Local Rule E-3) is in effect.
AND the specific area of GUR where your ball lies meets the conditions stated in that Preferred Lies Local Rule. For example, if the GUR is a damaged patch on the fairway (which is cut to fairway height or less), and preferred lies are in effect for fairways, then you could take your preferred lie from your spot within that GUR area on the fairway.
No, IF:
The GUR where your ball lies does not meet the conditions of the Preferred Lies Local Rule (e.g., the GUR is in the rough, and preferred lies are only for fairways).
Or, if no Preferred Lies Local Rule is in effect.
4. Alternative Scenario:
You could first take free relief from the GUR under Rule 16.1b. This involves finding your nearest point of complete relief (NPCR) and dropping within one club-length, no nearer the hole, and in the general area.
After you have dropped and your ball is in play, if that new spot now meets the conditions for the Preferred Lies Local Rule (e.g., your drop lands on the fairway), you could then take your preferred lie from that new spot. The text for MLR E-3 confirms this: 'After a ball has been placed and is in play under this Local Rule, if the player then proceeds under another Rule that provides relief, this Local Rule may be used again.' This implies the sequence works both ways.
In summary:
You can always choose to play your ball as it lies from GUR (unless it's a No Play Zone).
If a 'Preferred Lies' Local Rule is in effect, you can take a preferred lie from within the GUR only if the spot where your ball lies in the GUR meets the specific criteria of that Preferred Lies Local Rule (e.g., it's on a fairway, and preferred lies are active for fairways). Otherwise, your options are:
Play it as it lies from the GUR (no preferred lie).
Take free relief from the GUR. Then, if the spot where you drop qualifies for a preferred lie, you can take one.
Always check the exact wording of the Local Rules in effect for the competition or the course on that day.