‘Winter rules’ scrapped as England Golf makes huge changes (and how it will affect you)

Say goodbye to “winter rules” at your golf club.

England Golf says “inclement weather is becoming more frequent during all seasons” and has made a change to its guidelines to reflect that.

As a result, the governing body has replaced its ‘Winter Checklist’ with a new ‘Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide’.

So how does this affect you?

Well, the biggest change is your club can now enact Model Local Rule E-3, which you will know as Preferred Lies, all year round.

Most importantly, golfers will still be able to post acceptable scores under the World Handicap System.

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The rule, which allows players to take free relief in the fairway, was only in place during the winter months – generally October 1 to April 30, though this has recently been extended through to the end of May due to wet conditions across the country – but now it can be used at any time during the season.

A statement from England Golf reads: “Exception MLR E-3 Preferred Lies no longer has a defined period for use, and a club may, if conditions require it, utilise this Model Local Rule throughout the year.

“Winter Rules is not a term stated within the Rules of Handicapping. Therefore, the guidance has been adapted to be focused on periods of extreme or adverse weather.

“Clubs must use the Model Local Rule appropriately and on areas of the course where it is required. They must also be removed as soon practicably possible.”

England Golf is keen to stress that “the content, supporting rules and guidance remain the same”, adding that “the only change is when clubs can apply the Model Local Rules”. Tweaks have also been made to guidance on things such as temporary greens, fairway mats, and closed holes.

“Previously, ‘winter rules’ were applicable between October 1 and April 30. Within WHS, there is no reference to specific use of ‘winter rules’, only that there is an active or inactive season. In England, WHS remains active all year round, therefore the term ‘winter rules’ does not exist and the limitation on when Model Local Rules can be applied has been removed.”

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Wales Golf also plans to put similar guidelines in place, though the body will continue discussions through the winter.

“The traditional October to April has changed,” Sandy Veale, Wales Golf’s operations and handicapping manager, told bunkered.co.uk.

“We have situations where preferred lies are requested by clubs up and down the country all throughout the year. Often we say yes, along with advice for them, because there are times when preferred lies isn’t the appropriate course of action.

“So this will just help golf clubs manage their course better throughout the year, and we’ll tie that in with some appropriate guidance about when it should be used so they don’t have to keep coming to us.

“It makes sense to give the clubs autonomy throughout the whole year, but with appropriate guidance so they only use it when they need to.”

Scottish Golf, meanwhile, will continue to offer golf clubs year-round support for implementing the Model Local Rules should they need it.

Calum Grant, who is part of the handicapping team at the Fife-based body, said: “We send out an adverse weather document, which is supporting guidance for clubs that are wishing to run counting competitions or general play scores during adverse weather or exceptional circumstances throughout the year.”

In terms of the Model Local Rules, Grant explained that “there is no real change”.

He explained: “The implementation of the Model Local Rules for cleaning the ball, preferred lies, fairway mats, and bunkers, was in place last year and available to golf clubs all year round, and that will be the case this year going forward as well.

“Outwith the standard preferred lies period, golf clubs have the discretion to grant themselves temporary approval to use preferred lies on a competition by competition basis, or a day-to-day basis, without needing to contact Scottish Golf for approval.

“That’s really just to account for scenarios where, for example, there’s a sudden deluge or downpour in the morning and the competition can still go ahead.

“If a club wishes to have an extension of the preferred lies period, we’ve been happy to grant that and we would maybe give it to them for two, three weeks, or a month.”

Helpful links for golfers and clubs

• England Golf’s Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide

• Wales Golf’s winter golf guidance

• Scottish Golf’s winter golf guidance

Alex Perry is the Associate Editor of bunkered. A journalist for more than 20 years, he has been a golf industry stalwart for the majority of his career and, in a five-year spell at ESPN, covered every sporting event you can think of. He completed his own Grand Slam at the 2023 Masters, having fallen in love with the sport at his hometown club of Okehampton and on the links of nearby Bude & North Cornwall.

Associate Editor