[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] Score Improvement Preferred Lie

Final Day of Korea Open: 'Preferred Lie' Local Rule Applied
Option When Course Conditions Are Poor Due to Heavy Rain
Play Within One Club Length on Fairway Without Penalty

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.

Kim Min-gyu is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the 66th Kolon Korea Open.
[Photo by Kolon Korea Open Organizing Committee]

On the 23rd, a somewhat unfamiliar scene was seen at the Kolon 66th Korea Open (total prize money 1.4 billion KRW), jointly hosted by the Korea Golf Association (KGA) and the Asian Tour. Players marked their balls on the fairway, placed them in better spots, and continued play. The KGA announced the day before the final round, "Considering the heavy rain in Cheonan City, Chungnam Province, where the tournament is held at Woojeong Hills Country Club (par 71, 7,326 yards), the preferred lie rule will be applied. Players may move their ball within one club length on the fairway without penalty and take their shot."

This is a notice regarding the local rule of preferred lie. It is generally used when course conditions are poor. It is temporarily applied during bad weather such as the monsoon season. Since the ball is covered with dirt and normal play is not possible, this rule provides assistance. Players can pick up the ball, clean it, and continue play. This applies only to balls on the fairway. The purpose is to prevent disadvantages for well-hit shots.

The size of the relief area varies slightly by tournament. It can be the length of a scorecard, 6 inches (about 15.24 cm), or one club length, usually away from the green. If the ball is placed outside this range, it is a two-stroke penalty for "playing out of bounds." After placing the ball, even if the spot is not ideal, the player must play it as it lies. The moved ball is considered a valid ball. Touching it results in a one-stroke penalty.

Using the preferred lie improves performance. The final score of Kim Min-gyu, the winner of this year's Korea Open, was 11 under par 273 strokes. He demonstrated his strength by shooting 5 under par 66 on the final day. This is the best winning score since Choi Min-cheol's 12 under par 272 in 2018. The preferred lie also helps protect the course and prevent injuries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.