Preferred Lies (Winter Rules, Lift Clean and Place)
Also known as: preferred lies, winter rules, lift clean and place, lift, clean and place, playing it up, placing the ball in the fairway, preferred lies local rule
Preferred lies, often called winter rules or lift, clean and place, is a Local Rule for wet or damaged courses. When your ball lies on closely mown grass in the general area, you may lift and clean it once. Then place it within the distance the committee sets, such as one club-length or a scorecard length, no nearer the hole.
It exists only when the committee adopts it. Under the standard Rules you play the ball as it lies and may not lift it just to clean it in the general area. Model Local Rule E-3 covers preferred lies, and the committee fills in the size of the relief area. The scorecard or a notice usually says which holes or areas it covers.
Mark the spot first so you can measure from it. Clean the ball, then place it within the set distance, no nearer the hole and in the general area. Under E-3 you may place it only once. The ball is in play once you have set it down and let it go. You cannot then lift it again just because you dislike the lie. The Local Rule is meant for areas cut to fairway height or less. Using it in the rough is not recommended, since it could give free relief from bushes or trees.
A related Local Rule, E-2, lets you lift, clean and replace the ball on the same spot when mud is the problem. A committee cannot introduce preferred lies once a stroke-play round has begun. Whether a score with preferred lies counts for handicap depends on your national association's guidance.
Tips by skill level
Check the scorecard, the starter or the clubhouse notice for winter rules before you tee off.
Choose your spot before you lift and set the ball down once. Under Model Local Rule E-3 the ball is in play as soon as you set it down and let go.
Example
After a week of rain, the club adopts preferred lies with a 6-inch relief area on the fairways. A golfer's ball sits in a muddy patch on the 4th fairway. He marks it, cleans it and places it on a clean spot within 6 inches, no nearer the hole.
Why it matters
Winter rules keep play fair and protect wet fairways. Using them only where allowed, and placing correctly, keeps your score valid.
Common mistakes
- Assuming preferred lies apply without a Local Rule
- Using it in the rough when it covers only the fairway
- Placing the ball nearer the hole
- Lifting and placing again after the ball is in play
Frequently asked questions
What does lift, clean and place mean in golf?
It is a Local Rule, also called preferred lies or winter rules. On closely mown grass in the general area you may lift your ball, clean it and place it within the distance the committee sets, no nearer the hole.
What are winter rules in golf?
Another name for preferred lies. When the committee adopts them, you may lift, clean and place your ball on the fairway, usually within a club-length or less.
Can I use preferred lies in the rough?
Only if the Local Rule says so. Model Local Rule E-3 is meant for areas cut to fairway height or less, and using it in the rough is not recommended.
Sources
Related terms
- Local RuleA local rule is a course- or competition-specific change adopted by the committee running play. It commonly covers embedded balls, temporary conditions like winter rules, or unique course features the standard Rules of Golf do not address.
- Marking Your Ball on the GreenOnce your ball is on the putting green, you may mark, lift and clean it whenever you like. First place a ball-marker, or hold a club on the ground, right behind or right next to the ball. Replace the ball on exactly the same spot, and remove the marker before you putt. Lifting a ball without marking it first costs one penalty stroke.
- Embedded Ball (Plugged Lie Relief)An embedded, or plugged, ball sits in its own pitch mark with part of it below ground. In the general area, including the fairway and rough, you get free relief under Rule 16.3, except in sand not cut to fairway height. Drop within one club-length of the spot right behind where it was embedded, no nearer the hole. There is no free relief for a plugged ball in a bunker or penalty area.
- Abnormal Course Conditions (Casual Water and GUR)Abnormal course conditions are temporary water, ground under repair, animal holes and immovable obstructions such as cart paths. If one touches your ball or gets in the way of your stance or swing, Rule 16.1 gives free relief, except in a penalty area. In the general area, drop within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief.
- Free ReliefFree relief is moving the ball to a better spot without a penalty. It covers cases like an immovable obstruction, ground under repair, or an embedded ball.
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