Starting this year the Board has voted to establish "preferred lies", also known as "winter rules". Starting with the November 21, 2022 event at Balboa players can lift, clean and place their ball in the fairways only - six inches is recommended by the USGA but a club length is reasonable. It is the judgement of the foursome to determine if the ball is in the fairway. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between fairway and rough!
This will be in effect until March 31, 2023. We'll continue to allow lift, clean and place in bunkers to obtain relief from unraked areas. Additionally, it is most important that you rake the bunker after you hit, not before. It's the old saying, "leave the bunker better than you found it".
Beginning the 2022/2023 season we'll have "preferred lies" starting on November 1 and ending on March 31.
Between April 1 and October 31 each tournament director can determine if the "preferred lies" rule will be used depending on the course conditions. Each director will assess course conditions prior to an event.
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