Mapperley Golf Club
Mapperley Golf Club
Mapperley Golf Club

Winter Rules


Winter Rules are normally in force from November 1st until March 31st, although the Committee may sometimes extend the period when course conditions dictate.
 

1. Winter Mats

When the tee markers are situated on an artificial mat, the player must stand on the mat to play the tee shot.

Exception: when the artificial mats are slippery due to frost or snow the player may stand off the mat to play the tee shot as long as the ball is still on the mat. 

2. Preferred Lies and Cleaning the Ball

Preferred Lies
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 marking and lifting the ball before placing the original ball or another ball within 6 inches no nearer the hole, using the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b (2) and 14.2e.

The ball may be cleaned and it must be placed in the General Area. 

Lift, Clean and Replace
When conditions may cause mud to stick to the ball, the Committee may introduce a temporary Local Rule to allow the player to lift, clean and replace the ball in all parts of the General Area without penalty as follows.

The player must mark the spot before lifting the ball (see Rule 14.1) and the original ball must be replaced on its original spot (see Rule 14.2).

A notice will be posted on the whiteboard outside the Pro Shop when this Local Rule is in place.

Note: Scores returned when the Preferred Lies and/or Lift, Clean and Replace Local Rules are in place are acceptable for handicap purposes during the “preferred lies period” defined by England Golf (usually 1st October to 30th April) and subject to the other requirements for Acceptable Scores being met.

Scores returned when Preferred Lies have been extended to the whole General Area are not acceptable for handicap purposes. Refer to Terms of Competition, Appendix J for further information.

3. Teeing Grounds and Temporary Greens - Compulsory Relief

When a player’s ball comes to rest on a Teeing Ground or Temporary Green, the player must mark the ball, lift it and drop it within one club length of the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole in accordance with Rule 16.1.

4. Relief in Bunkers

When a player’s ball lies in a Bunker, the player may take free relief once by marking, lifting and cleaning the ball before placing the original ball or another ball in the bunker within 6 inches no nearer the hole, using the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b (2) and 14.2e.  The area may be smoothed before placing.

Note: This Local Rule is not available in Qualifying Competitions or other competitions so designated by the Committee, or when submitting General Play Scores for handicap purposes.

 

5. Alternative to Stroke & Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds

When a player’s ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be Out Of Bounds, the player may proceed as follows rather than proceeding under stroke and distance:

For two penalty strokes, the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the relief area described in Committee Procedure 8E-5. and the attached graphics.

The ‘Fairway Reference Point’ may be on a grass path or a Teeing Ground for the hole being played cut to fairway height or less. However, the ball may not be dropped on or come to rest on a Teeing Ground.

Note: This Local Rule is not available:

  • If the player has put a Provisional Ball into play
  • When submitting a General Play score for handicap purposes
  • In Competitions when scores submitted are designated as being acceptable for handicap purposes
  • In other Competitions so designated by the Committee
     

6. Looking After the Course

To help maintain the course in good condition during the winter and for your own safety:

  • Try to keep to the paths where possible and avoid walking through muddy areas. Please keep trollies and buggies away from steep slopes and wet areas.
  • Do not take trollies and buggies within 3 metres of a putting green. This generally means taking buggies and trolleys on the outside of bunkers rather than between the bunker and the green.
  • Consider if you can use a carry-bag rather than a trolley or buggy.

 For details of any other temporary Local Rules, see the whiteboard outside the Professional's Shop.