Rules Academy

Hampshire Golf currently have a team of a dozen male and female Referees from Clubs all over the County all qualified to R&A Level 2 and some to Level 3 who are available to help out with you every Rules need:

• On course ruling
• Education
• Running events
• Group Presentations
• Reviewing local rules
• So you want to be a Referee - Mentoring

Hampshire Golf Referees

• Denise Campbell - Royal Jersey
• Michael Cave - Blackmoor
• Charles Gordon - Blackmoor
• John Hussey - Cams Hall
• David Lambie - Brokenhurst
• Stuart Mitchell - Brokenhurst 
• Brian Overton - Alresford
• Carron Schusler - Hayling
• Debbie Steadman - North Hants
• Craig Turner - Hockley
• Matt Williams - Hayling

England Golf also has presentations available which club officials can use to tell their members about the new Rules. To request these presentations please contact championships@englandgolf.org.

R&A Level 1 Online Rules Academy

This online academy is now available, click here. It covers the most common Rules situations and leads to the official R&A Level 1 exam. Think you're hot on the rules? Why not test yourself in this interactive quiz compiled by the R&A- it's just a bit of fun but come come in very handy on the course one day!

Level 1 seminars:

Level 1 Rules Seminars are held over one day and run by a county, in conjunction with England Golf.

Level 2 seminars:

Usually, Level 2 Rules Seminars are held over two days and run by a county or region, in conjunction with England Golf.

If you are interested in attending a Level 1 or 2 Rules Seminar, please speak your relevant county who will be able to advise you of their future plans.

Level 3 seminars:

Level 3 seminars are held over three days and are run by The R&A.

Preferred Lies

As of 1st October 2023, preferred lies on closely mown areas (fairways and green fringes only) are permissible.

With the change to the Rules of Golf for 2019, the wording for Preferred Lies has changed.

The long form, should be used by clubs on their noticeboards and signage. The shortform is suitable for use on the scorecard.

Long Form

When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

Reference Point: Spot of the original ball

Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:

• Limits on Location of Relief Area:
• Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
• Must be in the general area

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.

Short Form

When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may prefer the lie within 6 inches. See Model Local Rule E-3 for details of how this must be done.

For the full text of any Model Local Rules referenced, please refer to the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the General Penalty.