
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?
Rule 14 - Procedures for Ball: Marking, Lifting and Cleaning; Replacing on Spot; Dropping in Relief Area; Playing from Wrong Place. Purpose of Rule: Rule 14 covers when and how you may mark the spot of your ball at rest and lift and clean your ball and how to put it back into play so that your ball is played from the right place. When your ball has been lifted or moved and is to be …
What are the rules for lifting a golf ball through the Green?
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 …

Is lift clean and place only in the fairway?
If the lift, clean, and place rule is in effect, you are allowed to clean your ball on the fairway. However, if you are just playing a standard round of golf where this is not the case, then you are not allowed to clean your ball on the fairway.Feb 14, 2022
Can you lift and clean your ball on the fairway?
When you lift your ball from the putting green. it may always be cleaned. When you lift your ball from anywhere else it may always be cleaned except when you lift it: To see if it is cut or cracked – cleaning is not allowed.
What does pick it clean mean in golf?
October 7, 2009. I think basically if you are taking little or no divot your are picking it clean. Some people like to play that way but most take a some kind of divot. You have a better chance of hitting the green with a no divot shot than a fat shot.Oct 7, 2009
Does the USGA play 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.Jun 13, 2013
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. Continued), and the ball must not be cleaned more than needed to identify it (except on the putting green.
What is the rule for a plugged golf ball?
According to the rules of golf, not much. “Relief is allowed only when your ball is embedded in the general area,” Rule 16.3 states. “But if your ball is embedded on the putting green, you may mark the spot of your ball, lift and clean it, repair the damage, and replace your ball on its original spot.”Jan 31, 2021
What does loft mean in golf?
Loft is the angle of the club face that controls trajectory and affects distance. A driver has a loft between 7 and 12 degrees. Experienced golfers have traditionally favored lower lofted drivers (less than 10 degrees of loft), which require much more skill to hit than higher lofted drivers.
Can you lift clean and place in a hazard?
This Local Rule allows a player, without penalty, to lift and clean the ball anywhere on the course except in hazards (meaning both bunkers and water hazards). Most importantly, it is simple to explain as the procedure is exactly the same as what golfers are already permitted to do on the putting green.
Are you allowed to mark your ball on the fairway?
yes - but you are not permitted to clean your ball when it's lifted under these circumstances. You can't choose to lift it either, it has to be a fellow competitor or opponent that makes the request. Furthermore, you can't refuse a request to lift it either. Welcome to the forum!May 14, 2013
Do you have to mark your ball on the putting green?
Your ball on the putting green. may be lifted and cleaned. The spot of your ball must be marked. before it is lifted and the ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play..
Why do golfers pick up the ball?
Why Do Golfers Pick Up Their Ball on The Green? Golfers pick up their ball on the green to remove it after it has been marked. This gives them an opportunity to clean the golf ball. The foreign materials on the golf ball can cause it to be unpredictable, meaning it could go anywhere when you hit it.
What does playing the ball down mean?
Playing it “Up” or “Down” – Playing the ball down means that you have to hit your shot no matter what the lie is. In certain situations golfers are allowed to play the ball “up” meaning they can improve the lie. Sometimes if there is inclement weather such as rain it makes sense to play it up.
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.".
Can you lift a golf ball?
Golfers can lift, clean and place a ball only when it originally lies in a closely mown area. "Closely mown area" means any part of the golf course that is mowed to fairway height. Therefore, it does not include any rough or putting greens, but may include aprons around the greens or paths mowed through rough.
Do you have to mark the ball before lifting?
You must mark the ball's original position before lifting. Use a ballmarker, a tee, whatever. You are allowed to clean the ball after lifting. (Pervasive mud on the course is one of the most common reasons for implementing preferred lies.)
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:
Where do preferred lies apply?
Preferred lies apply: Only where a local rule or condition of competition is in place, and golfers are informed of such. (Ideally, some kind of sign is posted so golfers know specifically how far they ...
What is the purpose of Rule 14?
Purpose of Rule: Rule 14 covers when and how you may mark the spot of your ball at rest and lift and clean your ball and how to put it back into play so that your ball is played from the right place. When your ball has been lifted or moved and is to be replaced, the same ball must be set down on its original 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:
When you lift your ball from the putting green, is it always cleaned?
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. When you lift your ball from anywhere else it may always be cleaned except when you lift it:
What is the lie of a ball?
If the lie Lie: The spot on which your ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching your ball or right next to it. Loose impediments and movable obstructions are not part of the lie of a ball. of your ball that has been lifted or moved Moved: When your ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so). (...Continued) is altered, you must replace Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. the ball in this way:
When your ball must be replaced, what does it mean?
When your ball must be replaced Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. after it was lifted or moved Moved: When your ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so). (...Continued), your original ball must be used.
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.
When your ball is back in play, is it allowed to substitute?
For information on when your ball is back in play, including when you substitute a ball but this is not allowed or you use a procedure that does not apply.
Feedback
I had my first opportunity to be on a tournament Committee (capital C, as in God) this past weekend. Two-day four ball event, full field in both championship and net flights, rain in the forecast. We had to shorten the net event to one day because the golf course became unplayable on Saturday due to rain. It was a long weekend.
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How to play a golf ball?
Key Points to Preferred Lies: 1 Mark the position of your ball 2 Lift and clean your ball 3 Place your ball within the stipulated area, no nearer the hole 4 The ball is in play when placed and cannot be lifted again
What is a closely mown area?
A “closely-mown area” is any area of the course that is cut to fairway height or less and includes paths cut through the rough and the fringe/apron around the green. If the ball does not lie on a closely-mown area, e.g. the rough, the player cannot take a preferred lie under this specimen Local Rule. Q.
How far away from the hole should a golf ball be placed?
The ball must then be placed on a spot no nearer the hole within the area specified by the Committee, e.g. within six inches. It is important to note that the specified area in which to place the ball can vary.
Where is the preferred lie in golf?
The recommended Local Rule for preferred lies is contained in Appendix 1, Part B, 4c of the Rules of Golf. A player is entitled to prefer the lie of the ball when the ball lies on a closely-mown area through the green. A “closely-mown area” is any area of the course that is cut to fairway height or less and includes paths cut through ...
Can you get relief for a ball in the rough?
Generally, there is no free relief for a ball embedded in the rough as relief for an embedded ball is restricted to closely-mown areas (Rule 25-2). However, if the conditions merit it, a Committee can choose to extend relief by Local Rule to anywhere “through the green” which includes the rough and semi-rough.
What happens if a player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it?
If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with the club, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke.
Where should the local rules be displayed?
The Local Rules should be displayed prominently in key locations such as the locker room, pro shop and the first tee or starter’s hut. These Local Rules are meant to be temporary in nature; once course conditions improve sufficiently they should be withdrawn.
Local Rules and Bad Course Conditions
In locations where winter weather can be harsh, with negative effects on golf courses, some courses will post a sign stating "winter rules in effect today," or "preferred lies today." This means, in the simplest explanation, that golfers may improve their lies by moving their golf balls in certain rough areas of the course, and those areas are usually limited to the fairway ..
The Old Rule in 2004
Here's the most important thing we can tell you about winter rules, and it's something that most golfers don't know: Winter rules were not codified under any of the regular thirty-four Rules of Golf; instead, they were a local rule that had to be enacted before being in effect, just like the "one ball" condition.
The Evolution of Winter Rules
Prior to 2004, the Appendix contained the strong admonition that the USGA and the R&A did not endorse "preferred lies" and "winter rules;" that such rules contravened the fundamental principle of playing the ball as it lies; and that the ruling bodies would ignore any requests for assistance in making rulings when "preferred lies" and "winter rules" were involved.
Who Decides the Rules?
Ultimately, the choice comes down to the individual player as It is not mandatory to take advantage of winter rules — or preferred lies — when the local rule is in effect.

What Are Lift, Clean, and Place Rules in Golf?
- The lift, clean, and place is a local rule that a golf course can implement when playing conditions become a bit too difficult for players. Most of the time, this rule is put into place when there is wet weather, casual water in the fairways, and wet conditions that the chance a ball could plug in the fairway.
Do You Have to Take An Unplayable Lie If The Golf Ball Is Embedded?
- Fortunately, if the ball is embedded, the golfer can remove their golf ball from the embedded lie in the turf, clean the ball, and identify the nearest point of relief to drop their ball. The ball must be within one club length of the embedded lie and cannot be closer to the hole.
What Is Preferred Lie in Golf?
- In the winter, when the playing conditions are not nearly as good, it can make sense to play lift, clean, and place to make the game fairer. Essentially all players will have the same chance to be able to hit a great shot. In the winter, when the playing conditions are not nearly as good, it can make sense to play lift, clean, and place to make the game fairer. Essentially all players will hav…
Preferred Lies vs. Lift, Clean, and Place
- Preferred lies and lift, clean and place are the same thing. The way you move your golf ball and take relief will be the exact same. However, the individual local rules can vary depending on where you are playing and the type of event.
How to Do Lift, Clean, and Place
- Now that you understand what lift, clean, and place are, it’s time to understand how to take relief. The lift, clean, and place rule will not apply when you are on the putting green because you can already mark the ball, lift and clean it on the green. However, in any of the closely mown areas around the golf course, lift, clean, and place is going to be available for golfers to take advantag…
Frequently Asked Questions
- Playing lift clean and place can be a challenge for some players to understand. If this is the case for you, then you may want to consider a few of these questions.
Conclusion
- Hopefully, you now understand what lift, clean, and place is and how it will impact your game. Anytime a golf course has this in place, you will want to take complete advantage of it. The preferred lies rule is not going to come into play if the golf course conditions are perfect.