Then I thought about the wording. It doesn't say preferred lies can be taken on fairways, greens or fringes. It just says they can be taken on grass that is cut to fairway height or less. Well, surely if the fairway is not cut tight, and the rough is really no longer (the normal first cut at least), would that not just mean preferred lies are allowed in the "first cut". Because, although it is the first cut in the summer, it is difficult to say it is the first cut, by eye, in the winter. Furthermore, if you were in an area that you'd expect would have been rough in the summer, but you are just in a bare muddy spot in the winter (i.e. the grass is patchy), could you argue you are sitting in a position where the grass is clearly at fairway height or less (i.e. no grass)? P.S. I wouldn't claim relief in that situation as it would seem to go against the principle of the rule. However, if an opponent put a case forward based on the letter of the law, I'd struggle to 100% tell them they are wrong.
Preferred Lies. | Golf Monthly
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I was wondering about that, as it is very hard to tell at our course. Fairway is not cut tight, and rough does not grow long. So, basically the difference between them is not noticeable at all.
