England Golf have announced that the Winter Checklist, often referred to as Winter Rules, has been replaced by Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide

The Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide replaces the Winter Checklist and is being introduced to help clubs not just through winter, but all year round.

Adverse or inclement weather is becoming more frequent during all seasons, so the new document has been put together to provide clubs with guidance and access to the appropriate supporting rules across all 12 months of the year, and while England has an ongoing active season for WHS™, the guidance has been designed to support clubs to ensure they can continue to submit acceptable scores for handicapping purposes.

Information within the document remains the same and clubs have access to the supporting rules if their course requires it. Exception MLR E-3 Preferred Lies no longer has a defined period for use, and a club may, if conditions require it, utilise this Model Local Rule throughout the year.

Winter Rules is not a term stated within the Rules of Handicapping; therefore, the guidance has been adapted to be focused on periods of extreme or adverse weather.

Clubs must use the Model Local Rule appropriately and on areas of the course where it is required. They must also be removed as soon practicably possible.

What has changed within the Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide?

The content, supporting rules and guidance remain the same. The only change is when clubs can apply the Model Local Rules – previously, ‘winter rules’ were applicable between 1st October and 30th April. Within WHS™, there is no reference to specific use of ‘winter rules’, only that there is an active or inactive season. In England, WHS™ remains active all year round, therefore the term ‘winter rules’ does not exist and the limitation on when Model Local Rules can be applied has been removed.

When can Model Local Rules be applied?

Golf clubs can utilise Model Local Rules throughout the year, but ONLY when it is necessary to do so, on specified areas of the course and when the conditions would mean that acceptable scoring would not be possible without them being in place. Furthermore, the Model Local Rules MUST be removed as soon as practicably possible. When implementing any of the Model Local Rules for your golfers, it must be clearly communicated and signposted which Model Local Rules are in place and the areas in which they are to be used. It is very important to remember that Model Local Rules should only be used when necessary, to ensure equity within the World Handicap System™.

Before applying Model Local Rule E3 – Preferred Lies, what other rules should be considered first?

Model Local Rule E2 – Cleaning the Ball, should be first considered, as this may be considered on parts of the general area where conditions result in an unfair playing condition. The areas in which this rule is used should be explicit and communicated to golfers. Once ground conditions improve to a point that it is no longer an unfair playing condition, the rule must be removed.

When can Model Local Rule E3-Preferred Lies be applied? And when should it be taken off?

Model Local Rule E3 – Preferred Lies can be applied throughout the year, only when ground conditions are such that it results in an unfair playing condition and only within closely-mown areas (grass cut to fairway height or less). This local rule must be explicit to areas of the course where it is required and must be removed as soon as ground conditions improve to a point where it no longer results in unfair playing conditions.

Who can support the club on the application of the guidance document and Model Local Rules?

Your county will be your first point of call regarding any advice around when to implement rules. You do not need their permission to apply them but they can offer support and details if you are unsure. Each county has a Handicap Advisor and Rules Official who can support your club.

For more information from England Golf, click on the link here.