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Preferred Lies in Golf: Rules and When They Apply

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Gameplay & Rules | Fundamentals of Golf Rules


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Quick Answer

  • Preferred lies let you move your ball without penalty if it’s in a bad spot on the course.
  • It’s usually for balls in the closely mown parts of the general area, especially if you’re in a divot.
  • Always check local rules to know if and how it’s in play.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers who want to play by the book and understand the nuances of course conditions.
  • Anyone who’s ever cursed a bad bounce or a divot lie and wants to know their options.

What to Check First for Preferred Lies in Golf

  • Is it active? The course committee or club must declare preferred lies are in effect. It’s not automatic.
  • Local rules are key. Check your scorecard or the club’s notice board. They’ll tell you the specifics.
  • Where’s your ball? Preferred lies typically apply only in the “closely mown area” of the general area. That means the fairway or areas cut to fairway height.
  • What’s the relief zone? The local rule will define how far you can move your ball, usually one club-length, and where you can drop it.

To keep track of these rules and any local variations, a good golf scorecard is essential. Many scorecards will even have a section for local rules.

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Understanding What Are Preferred Lies in Golf

When you hear about “preferred lies” in golf, it means the committee has decided to make play a bit fairer under certain conditions, often due to a beat-up course. Think of it as a temporary rule to help you avoid playing from an unfair lie, like a divot hole. This rule is officially part of the Rules of Golf, specifically under Rule 15.2, but local rules often dictate its application [1]. It allows you to mark, lift, clean, and then replace your ball within a defined relief area. It’s all about improving the lie of your ball without penalty.

Step-by-Step Plan for Taking Preferred Lie Relief

1. Action: Locate your ball.

What to look for: Your ball must be in the closely mown area of the general area (fairway or similar cut grass). If it’s in the rough, a bunker, or on the green, this rule doesn’t apply. You’re looking for a spot where the grass is cut short, like a fairway.
Mistake to avoid: Trying to take relief if your ball is in the rough, a bunker, or on the green. This rule is specific to certain areas.

2. Action: Mark the ball’s position.

What to look for: Place a tee or ball marker right next to your ball, touching it. It needs to be precise. You’re essentially creating a pinpoint reference for where the ball was.
Mistake to avoid: Lifting your ball before marking. This is a big no-no and can cost you a penalty stroke. I’ve seen guys do this in a rush, and it’s never pretty.

3. Action: Lift and clean your ball.

What to look for: You can pick up your ball and wipe it clean. This is your chance to get rid of any mud or grass that might be affecting its lie.
Mistake to avoid: Replacing the ball in a different spot than where it was originally marked. The goal is to improve the lie, not to move the ball to a better position in terms of the hole.

4. Action: Determine your relief area.

What to look for: The local rule will specify the size, usually one club-length from where the ball lay, no nearer the hole. Make sure you know what “one club-length” means for your clubs. It’s the longest club in your bag, excluding the putter.
Mistake to avoid: Dropping the ball outside this defined area. You’ve got to stick to the dimensions given.

5. Action: Drop your ball.

What to look for: Hold the ball at knee height and let it drop within the relief area. The ball must first strike the ground within the relief area.
Mistake to avoid: Letting the ball roll too far from where it first hit the ground after the drop. If it rolls out of bounds or into a worse spot, you might have to re-drop. If it rolls out of the relief area, you need to re-drop.

6. Action: Play your ball.

What to look for: You’ve now taken relief and are playing your ball from an improved lie, following the rules.
Mistake to avoid: Forgetting to play the ball after dropping. You can’t just walk away.

When Preferred Lies Apply in Golf

The application of preferred lies is not a universal rule that’s always in effect. It’s a local rule that the committee in charge of the competition or the golf club can implement [2]. This usually happens when course conditions are poor, making it difficult to get a fair strike from the ball’s lie. Common reasons for instituting preferred lies include:

  • Winter rules: During wet periods, the ground can become soft, leading to divots that don’t properly fill in, leaving balls sitting in an undesirable depression.
  • Heavy traffic: High volumes of play, especially on courses with natural grass tees and fairways, can lead to wear and tear, creating bare patches and divots.
  • Damage: Unusual damage to the course, such as from aeration, frost, or minor construction, might prompt the use of preferred lies to ensure playability.

When preferred lies are in effect, they typically apply to balls lying in the “closely mown area of the general area” [3]. This means the fairway and any other areas of the course cut to the same height as the fairway. It does not extend to the rough, bunkers, penalty areas, or the putting green. The purpose is to give players a fair chance to play their shots without being unduly penalized by the condition of the course. Understanding these nuances is crucial for fair play and accurate scoring. This is where understanding the Golf Rules: Explaining Preferred Lies becomes really helpful.

Common Mistakes with Preferred Lies in Golf

  • Lifting and cleaning ball without marking its position — Why it matters: You might accidentally play from the wrong spot, leading to a penalty. The precise location of your ball is critical for fair relief. — Fix: Always mark your ball’s exact position before lifting it. A tee or coin placed directly beside or touching the ball works perfectly.
  • Taking relief outside the defined relief area — Why it matters: This results in playing from an incorrect position, which is a rules violation. The relief area is specific and must be adhered to. — Fix: Adhere strictly to the club-length or scorecard-defined measurement from where your ball lay. Measure carefully.
  • Placing the ball nearer the hole — Why it matters: A fundamental rule is that relief cannot improve your lie by moving you closer to the hole. This is a common error that can lead to penalties. — Fix: Ensure your relief area does not move the ball closer to the hole. If the nearest spot of similar relief is closer to the hole, you must place it in the nearest spot that provides similar relief without getting closer.
  • Taking relief in the wrong part of the course — Why it matters: Preferred lies are usually restricted to the closely mown areas of the general area. If your ball is in the thick stuff or a hazard, you play it as it lies. — Fix: Only take relief if your ball is in the designated area. If it’s in the rough or a bunker, you play it as it lies. Don’t try to stretch the rule.
  • Not cleaning the ball — Why it matters: While not a penalty, cleaning your ball is part of the privilege granted by the preferred lie rule. Not doing so means you’re not taking full advantage of the rule. — Fix: Take advantage of the rule to clean your ball for a better lie. It’s a simple step that improves your chances of a good shot.
  • Not understanding the relief procedure — Why it matters: There are specific steps to follow: mark, lift, clean, drop. Skipping or misinterpreting these steps can invalidate your relief. — Fix: Familiarize yourself with the exact procedure outlined by the local rule. When in doubt, ask a playing partner or official.
  • Assuming preferred lies are always in play — Why it matters: This is a local rule and must be declared. Relying on it when it’s not active means you’re playing from an improper lie. — Fix: Always check the local rules or ask playing partners if preferred lies are in effect before assuming you can take relief.

FAQ

  • What is the “general area” in golf?

The general area covers the entire course except for the teeing area from which you are playing, penalty areas (water hazards, etc.), bunkers, and the putting green. It’s essentially everywhere else on the course, from the fairway to the rough.

  • How do I know if preferred lies are in effect?

You need to check the local rules. This is usually posted on a notice board at the clubhouse, on the scorecard, or announced by the tournament committee. It’s crucial to confirm this before assuming you can take relief.

  • Can I take preferred lie relief in a bunker?

No. The preferred lie rule typically applies only to the closely mown area of the general area. Bunkers have their own specific rules for relief, and you generally play the ball as it lies in a bunker unless there’s another specific rule allowing relief.

  • What if my ball is on the green?

Preferred lies do not apply on the putting green. You can always lift and clean your ball on the green, but you must replace it in its exact original spot. This is a standard rule for the putting surface.

  • How far can I move my ball when taking preferred lie relief?

This is determined by the local rule. Most commonly, it’s one club-length (measured from the longest club in your bag, excluding the putter) no nearer the hole. Always verify the exact distance specified by the local rule.

  • What happens if my ball is in a divot on the fairway?

If preferred lies are in effect and your ball is in the closely mown area of the general area (which includes the fairway), you can mark, lift, clean, and replace your ball within one club-length of its original spot, no nearer the hole. This allows you to avoid playing from the divot.

  • Does the preferred lie rule apply in casual play or only in competitions?

The preferred lie rule is a local rule that can be implemented for any play, whether casual or competitive, if the course committee or club decides conditions warrant it. You’ll need to check the course’s specific rules for the day.

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