Published on 9th Sep 2024
Explaining golf’s Winter Rules: A simple guide
Golf can be a difficult game to play even in the best of conditions. As we approach winter months the challenge of combatting the course becomes greater. To help golfers of all abilities with this challenge, the rules of the game are adapted to make sure you can still have fun on the course.
We have put together a helpful guide to explain Winter Rules and how you can make sure you use them to your advantage.
Why do we have Winter Rules?
Golf courses are set up to be challenging but still offer fun to all golfers. Winter Rules help to offset the adverse conditions and keep the game fun for all. They can also be a really helpful tool for helping beginners to “Break 100”, but you have to know how to use them.
When do Winter Rules apply?
While it may seem like a silly question, the answer to when winter rules are in force is a bit more complex. At most courses in the UK, Winter Rules will apply between November and March, typically the part of the year when the conditions will be their worst.
Despite this, it is becoming more common for Winter Rules to be extended with more adverse weather conditions into Spring and parts of summer. Data shared by the Met Office shows that March 2024 had 27% more rainfall than average, leading to damp and often waterlogged parts of golf courses. As a result of this many courses took the decision to extend winter rulings into the Spring.
Which Rules change in winter?
Winter tees
Winter tees are one of the most visible differences to the golf course. With conditions often being wet and soft, most courses will bring the tee markers forward in the winter to offset the loss of distance golfers will see. This is also done to limit the damage done to the main part of the tee box.
Winter greens
Winter or temporary greens are also a common sight on many courses in the UK over the winter. These are areas of fairway, normally found just infront of the actual green, that are cut to green length. The pin will be put on these areas and the main green will be out of play to protect it until better weather returns.
Preferred lies
Preferred lies are a huge part of winter golf and can be very beneficial to golfers of all abilities throughout a round. The preferred lies rule has two main advantages to golfers:
Clean The Ball
As the ground gets soft, mud can become attached to the ball when it lands. If you play your next shot with the mud attached to the ball it can seriously affect the ball flight and the direction of the shot. Being able to clean the ball allows a consistently clean ball to be used for every shot.
Lift and Place
As part of cleaning the ball, preferred lies enable the player to mark where their ball finished, pick this up and replace this with in a scorecard width of the original place. This is allowed as many areas of the course will not be in their best condition over the winter months. Lift and place ensures that good shots aren’t punished with bad lies.
Read our guide to understanding preferred lies if you want to know more.
Embedded golf ball
One of the golf rules that does apply all year round, embedded golf balls are certainly more common in winter with softer conditions.
The rule means that any golf ball that breaks the surface of the ground and becomes embedded or part-submerged within the ground can be lifted and dropped without a penalty.
Course maintenance areas (Ground Under Repair or GUR)
Winter often becomes a busy time for the green keeping team with many projects underway throughout the winter months. This can lead to areas of the course out of action and marked by a sprayed white line. If your ball lands in these areas you can pick it up and move it to the closest place outside the area to continue.
Standing water
Another common find on the course in the winter months is standing water. If your ball finishes in the water you are able to remove it and drop at the nearest place where the ball is not submerged. This is done without penalty and can even be done in bunkers if they contain water.
Winter golf etiquette
Along with the many rules we have that change into the winter there are some areas of etiquette that also change in the winter and areas to be aware of. While these aren’t strictly rules, these are good habits to have to maintain the course and be kind to your playing partners.
Pitchmarks
With the softer conditions, you will probably make a pitchmark when your ball lands on the green. It is good to look out for these and repair any you see on the green.
Golf trolleys
Many courses will spray white lines on the ground short of greens and create pathways for golfers using a trolley. It is important to follow these lines and keep trolleys away from vulnerable areas, such as greens. This will be a huge help in the course remaining in top condition and recovering from the winter.
All that remains now is to layer up and head to the golf course. Use these winter rules to your advantage and remember to have fun out there!
