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.
If the local rule in effect says you can place 6 inches on the fairway and my shot lands 1 inch in the fairway, can I place that ball within 5 inches on the first cut if I prefer? Technically, that wouldn’t be improving my lie as I’ve gone onto a supposedly worse surface. —Wayne Mudgway, via email
Presumably, you are referring to the Preferred Lies Local Rule—Model Local Rule E-3. If so, yes, you may place the ball anywhere in the general area within the specified distance.
If you were inclined to place the ball into the rough (“first cut”? Are you playing Augusta National?), that is indeed your prerogative. Rules Guy himself will admit to sometimes being spooked by tight turf, preferring the forgiveness of a launchpad lie.
For more preferred-lies guidance from our guru, read on …
The situation: a stroke-play competition, preferred lies in use. When replacing her ball on the fairway, a player uses the ball’s alignment line. After removing her mark, she’s unsatisfied with the aim. Is she allowed to re-mark the ball and readjust? — Jim Donnelly, Tampa, Fla.
Alas and alack, she may not. The preferred lies local rule, MLR E-3 (which doesn’t, in fact, require putting down a ball marker), is what allowed the player to replace the ball however she wanted it aligned.
But that local rule allows you to place the ball only one time. So, once the ball was placed, the player no longer had a rule that allowed her to lift the ball — which includes rotating it. Here’s hoping she managed to hit the green despite it all.
Want to find the right gear for your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.
Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.
