For golfers in many corners of the UK, it has been one of the driest and warmest summers on record, which followed an equally arid springtime that made for plentiful magical days spent on the golf course.
However, it’s not a shock that entering the weeks of autumn, as winter rapidly approaches, things have somewhat changed, bringing harsher conditions that can have a significant impact on the places we play.
Bad weather can strike at any time of year, but as we gradually move into the winter season, it becomes more commonplace, as heavy rainfall, frosty conditions and even snow can all affect our ability to get out onto the golf course.
Providing some advice on the rules that you may see introduced at your local club, England Golf has shared its Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide, which is eligible throughout the whole year, and this document offers insights on how golf courses can remain applicable to submit scores for handicapping purposes.
We might talk of Winter Rules, but that term doesn’t actually exist in the Rules of Handicapping, meaning that this additional definition is required to ensure that the game is continued to be played fairly – even when the weather turns most foul.
The World Handicap System is a 12-month season in Great Britain & Ireland, meaning that these measures are essential to maintain the validity of the process.
Temporary Greens & Closed Holes
Depending on the nature of the golf course you play, temporary greens can be created to help protect the main surface, especially when there is work ongoing, but for your scores to be acceptable for handicap submission, no more than two temporary greens can be permitted over 18-holes, with just one temporary green being allowed on a 9-hole layout.
However, when the yardage of the overall course has been altered greatly as a consequence, a total of more than 100 yards, then clubs must request a change to the WHS specifications in terms of Course Rating and Slope Rating.
Some holes may even be closed during winter, in which case WHS uses an Expected Score to give you a full card.
Cleaning Ball
Model Local Rules can be deployed between 1st October and 30th April, but only when there is no other option and only on specified areas of the golf course.
When the ground is muddy, golfers may be allowed to mark, lift, clean and replace their ball. While preferred lies apply to areas of the course that are cut to fairway height or less, Cleaning Ball (Model Local Rule: E2) can be used on any specific area when necessary.
Once ground conditions have improved to a point where it is no longer considered to be an unfair playing condition, the rule must be removed.
Compulsory Use of Fairway Mats
Introduced to protect the fairways over winter, mats are quite commonly a sight at courses, being compulsory for use if you are lucky (and skilled) enough to have found the short grass.
Scores can be submitted for handicapping purposes when this rule is in place, but golfers must ensure that the mat is placed beneath the ball on the exact spot it was resting.
Preferred Lies
Model Local Rule: E3 is Preferred Lies and, as noted above, it applies to grass cut to fairway height or less. Your ball must be placed within six inches of the original lie of the ball to be acceptable for handicap submission.
Due to an incredibly wet winter in the early months of 2024, we even saw the window for preferred lies extended to the end of May that year.
Bunkers Filled With Temporary Water
Indeed, during periods of heavy rainfall, bunkers can be filled with water, which may lead greenkeepers to mark them as GUR (Ground Under Repair), which doesn’t have any affect on whether the course is applicable for WHS purposes or not.
That said, if a bunker is full of water, and is not marked as GUR, you still have options. Under Rule 16.1c, you can take free relief from within the bunker if there is an abnormal course condition (like standing water), or back on the line relief outside the bunker under a one shot penalty.
If escaping from the sand isn’t your strength, that really can be a relief!
Playing Golf in Bad Weather
Ultimately, golfers are now encouraged to submit handicapping scores throughout the entirety of the year and these measures have been established to make that process as fair as possible.
That said, playing golf in bad weather isn’t for everyone, but it can be an unavoidable occurrence throughout winter.
Whether it’s heavy rain, strong winds or freezing temperatures, it can be a character-building experience to complete your own 12-month season, but we reckon that challenge is what makes the game so rewarding anyway.
Related Content
Winter Rules You Need to Know at Your Golf Club
I Don’t Mind Fairway Mats But I Can’t Stand Winter Greens
What You Can Do to Help Your Golf Course This Winter
Why You Should Keep Playing Golf This Winter
10 Things You Need to Play Golf This Winter
The Things You Need to Survive Winter Golf
6 Benefits of Playing Golf Through Winter
It’s That Time of Year – What Changes at Your Golf Club
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