
Known as "lift, clean and place,'' players are allowed to pick up their ball in "closely mown areas'' -- typically the fairway -- in order to remove mud and find a more suitable place from which to play.
What is the lift clean and place procedure in golf?
Aug 02, 2019 · The idea with lift, clean and place is to let the field get rewarded for hitting and staying in the fairways instead of potentially penalizing them with a nasty mudball after rain.
Should'lift-clean-and-place'be allowed in golf?
The phrase "lift, clean and place" really tells you all you need to know about the proper procedure for moving a ball under the condition of the preferred lie: You must not bump it, roll it, foot wedge it, toss it or pick up the ball and drop it. You must mark the ball's original position before lifting. Use a ballmarker, a tee, whatever.
When can you lift a golf ball to clean it?
Sep 22, 2020 · He’s got all the answers. At our course, we sometimes have a preferred lie thru the green rule in effect due to wet conditions or other reasons. Our rule states you …
What is'lift-clean-and-place'?
Historically, the USGA's position has been that "lift-clean-and-place" violates rule 13-1, one of golf's fundamental principals, and therefore shouldn't be allowed.

What is lift and place golf?
What is the golf rule for lift clean and place?
Does PGA play lift clean and place?
Can you lift and clean your ball on the fairway?
Are you allowed to mark your ball on the fringe?
What does loft mean in golf?
What is the ball in hand rule in golf?
What does it mean to play preferred lies?
Why do golfers pick up the ball?
Can you lift your golf ball to identify it?
If a ball might be a player's ball but cannot be identified as it lies: The player may lift the ball to identify it (including by rotating it), but: The spot of the ball must first be marked.
Can you mark your golf ball in front?
When marking your golf ball on the putting green you should?
How far should a golf ball be lifted under preferred lies?
The sample local rule says only that a ball lifted under preferred lies must be placed "on a spot within (specify area, e.g., six inches, one club-length, etc.) of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, ...
Where to place a ball after cleaning?
After cleaning, you must place the ball—again, no bumping, rolling, kicking, tossing, etc.—on a spot within the distance specified by the local rule in effect.
Why do the rules of golf include such a local rule option?
That golf course might invoke the Preferred Lies local rule so that its golfers can find a good lie in those damaged fairways.
What is preferred lie?
"Preferred lies" refers to a condition that exists by local rule only and under which golfers are, on certain parts of a golf course, allowed to improve their lies without penalty. (This is also called "preferring a lie," hence the name.)
How far can you move a golf ball in the fairway?
Traditionally, "preferred lies" means a golfer can lift a golf ball that is in the fairway and move it up to six inches in any direction (but not closer to the hole), but there are variations on the length that is allowed. The "preferred lies" condition is also commonly known by two other names:
What is the proper procedure for moving a ball under the condition of the preferred lie?
The phrase "lift, clean and place" really tells you all you need to know about the proper procedure for moving a ball under the condition of the preferred lie: You must not bump it, roll it, foot wedge it, toss it or pick up the ball and drop it. You must mark the ball's original position before lifting. Use a ballmarker, a tee, whatever.
What are the winter rules for golf?
Winter rules. Lift, clean and place. When preferred lies are in effect on professional golf tours, they often use the term "lift, clean and place.".
Is the rules of golf tricky?
The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question ? He’s got all the answers.
Is the Local Rule for preferred lies authorized only in areas cut to fairway height or less in the general area?
Denny, the problem isn’t what you think it is. The problem is that the Local Rule for Preferred Lies ( Model Local Rule E-3) is authorized only in areas cut to fairway height or less in the general area.
What is the local rule in golf?
The "local rule" being referred to above is "lift-clean-and-place, " or, as it's become informally known among professional golfers: "lift-clean-and-cheat.". And the USGA hates it. The reason's pretty simple: the USGA, like the United States of America with its first amendment, believe in a few fundamental principals within which golf should operate.
What is the rule for golf strokes?
Their definition of a "stroke," for example, which came into play during the recent anchored-putter debate, and now rule 13-1, the most known rule in golf: "the ball must be played as it lies.". Historically, the USGA's position has been that "lift-clean-and-place" violates rule 13-1, one of golf's fundamental principals, ...
When did golf balls start to be lifted?
It wasn't until 1960 , having already allowed balls to be lifted as a result of the abolition of the stymie rule, that it incorporated a local rule to allow players to lift and clean their ball on the green, regardless of position.
What happens if the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it is placed?
If the ball when placed comes to rest on the spot on which it is placed and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.
How far can you move a golf ball onto the green from the fringe?
To answer your original question, as far as I am aware you can move you ball onto the green from the fringe if it is within 6 inches and is no nearer the hole.
Does a tournament score count for handicap?
At my club we don't bother posting any local rules during the off season. No tournaments and scores don't count for handicaps, so it's just up to individuals on how they are going to play.
Can you move a golf ball on the green?
To answer your original question, as far as I am aware you can move you ball onto the green from the fringe if it is within 6 inches and is no nearer the hole. If you wanted you could lift, clean and place the ball from the fairway and place it back into the rough if you prefer. In what cut the ball lies in after you have lifted, cleaned and placed is irrelevant as long as the ball is not resting any nearer the hole and within 6 inches of where it was originally resting (obviously you cant place a ball in a hazard). This is my interpretation of the rule but is the agreed ruling between my fellow golfers.
What conditions can cause mud to adhere to a golf ball?
Conditions, such as extreme wetness causing significant amounts of mud to adhere to the ball, may be such that permission to lift, clean and replace the ball would be appropriate. In these circumstances, the following Local Rule is recommended:
Is there a local rule for lift, clean and place?
The authorized local Rule for lift, clean and place is very specific to closely-mown areas. There is no authority from the ruling bodies to go beyond closely-mown for lift, clean and place. I realize the PGA Tour did through the green once (maybe more), but they are not a ruling body and probably did not check with the USGA for authorization in that instance.
Is it permissible to limit the operation of the Local Rule for preferred lies to certain areas?
It has been our position that it is permissible to limit the operation of the Local Rule for preferred lies to certain areas, e.g. specific fairways or the fairway of the hole being played.
Is LCR valid on just one hole?
I'm not at all sure that declaring LCR "through the green" on just one hole is valid. Through the green is all areas of the course except hazards, teeing grounds and putting greens. I fear that once you declare LCR through the green on one hole, it's inherently true for all holes because all holes are on the course.
When you lift your ball from the putting green, what is the area on the hole you are playing?
When you lift your ball from the putting green Putting Green: The area on the hole you are playing that is specially prepared for putting, or the Committee has defined as the putting green (such as when a temporary green is used). it may always be cleaned.
Where to hold a club in golf?
Hold a club on the ground right behind or right next to your ball.
What does it mean to replace a ball?
If you play a ball that was replaced Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. in a wrong way or replaced Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. by someone not allowed to do so, you get one penalty stroke .
What are the areas of the golf course?
In the same area of the course Areas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: (1) the general area, (2) the teeing area you must play from in starting the hole you are playing, (3) all penalty areas, (4) all bunkers, and (5) the putting green of the hole you are playing. as that spot.
How to mark a ball before lifting it?
Before lifting your ball under a Rule requiring it to be replaced Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go , with the intent for it to be in play. on its original spot, you must mark Mark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either placing a ball-marker right behind or right next to the ball, or holding a club on the ground right behind or right next to the ball. the spot, which means to:
Why is cleaning not allowed?
Because it interferes with play – cleaning is not allowed. To see if it lies in a condition where relief is allowed – cleaning is not allowed, unless you then take relief under a Rule. If you clean a lifted ball when not allowed, you get one penalty stroke .
When a ball is lifted or moved, the same ball must be set down on its original spot?
When your ball has been lifted or moved and is to be replaced, the same ball must be set down on its original spot. When taking free relief or penalty relief, you must drop a substituted ball or the original ball in a particular relief area.
How far away from the golf ball should you place the ball?
Typically, winter rules would allow you, in accordance with Appendix 1 of the Rules of Golf, to lift, clean and place your ball within six inches of where it has come to rest, although that distance is not mandatory and may vary (e.g. one club length at some courses) but only on “closely mown areas”.
What are the rules for putting in winter?
A typical Local Rule announcement specifying that winter rules are in force might read as follows: "If a player's ball lies on a closely-mown area through the green (it can be more specific and apply only to the holes where poor conditions prevail) the player may mark, lift and clean his ball without penalty. Before lifting, he must mark the position of the ball. The player must then place the ball on a spot within six inches (typically, though not set in stone) of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard or on a putting green.”
Can you take relief from plugged lies in the rough?
Finally, there is no automatic relief from plugged lies in the rough under winter rules, and for this to be in force, it must be covered by a separate Local Rule allowing relief from plugged lies away from closely mown areas. If no such Local Rule exists, then like it or not, you have no choice but to either play the ball as it lies or take relief under penalty… and then complain to the committee afterwards that there really should be relief from plugged lies in the rough given current conditions!
