Golf Rules... 'Knowledge is Power' ⑪ Even if the Course is Good, 'Preferred'
Compensation for Well-Hit Shots 'Local Rule'
Wipe the Ball and Place Play
Out of Range Results in Two-Stroke Penalty for Out-of-Scope Play
Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If well understood and properly used, they can greatly aid in score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.
Last week, a somewhat unfamiliar scene took place at the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour Genesis Championship. Players marked their balls on the fairway, placed them in a better spot, and continued play. The local rule called Preferred Lie was applied. The tournament organizers informed the players, "If the ball lies in a closely mowed area, you may mark, lift, and clean the ball, then place it within one scorecard length (left, right, or behind) without being closer to the hole. However, placement is allowed only once. This does not apply to rough, hazards, bunkers, or the green."
Preferred Lie is generally used when course conditions are poor. It is a local rule temporarily applied during bad weather such as the rainy season. Since the ball may be covered with mud, making normal play impossible, this rule provides assistance. After lifting the ball, players may clean it and continue play. This applies only to balls on the fairway. The purpose is to prevent disadvantages from well-hit shots.
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The size of the relief area varies slightly by tournament. It can be one scorecard length away from the green, 6 inches (about 15.24 cm), or one club length. If the ball is placed outside this range, it results in a two-stroke penalty for playing from the wrong place. After placing the ball, even if the spot is unfavorable, the player must play it as it lies. The moved ball is considered a valid ball. Touching it incurs a one-stroke penalty. Amateur golfers should agree on the Preferred Lie rule with their playing partners before starting a round. It helps protect the course, prevent injuries, and manage scores.
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