Dear Members,

This year’s winter rules will be in effect from Tuesday 17th October.

With the change to the Rules of Golf for 2023, the wording has changed to previous years. Please study the message from England Golf below:

“When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

• Reference Point: Spot of the original ball
• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits
• Limits on Location of Relief Area

– Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
– Must be in the general area

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.

But for the purposes of applying Rule 14.2e, the player has only chosen the spot on which to place the ball once the ball has been set down, and the player has let the ball go with the intent for that ball to be in play. After a ball has been placed and is in play under this Local Rule, if the player then proceeds under another Rule that provides relief, this Local Rule may be used again.”

Kind regards,

Mark Nicholas
Head of Golf Events