Dear Member, It is that time of year when things change quite quickly so I need to write to you again with the latest information and updates on the course, winter rules and competitions. There is probably an information overload below, but the there is plenty you need to know! **Course Information** Mats are now compulsory on all closely mown areas (areas cut to fairway height or less) and are optional in any other part of the general area. (The general area refers to any part of the course which is not a hazard and is not a putting green) Please see the local rule now in force: **Local Rule** “When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the player MUST take free relief by lifting the original ball and placing the original ball or another ball on an artificial mat and playing it from there.” Procedure: – The mat must be placed on top of the spot where the ball came to rest. – If the ball, when placed, rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. – If the ball again does not stay on the mat, move the mat to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest when placed. – If the ball on the mat is accidentally moved before a stroke is made, there is no penalty, and the ball must be replaced on the mat. – If a tee is used to secure the mat, the ball must not be placed on the tee. - **A putter may not be used to play off a mat.** When the player is 10 yards or less from the putting green of the hole in play, the player may play the ball from the grassed surface without the use of a mat as detailed above. Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place: General Penalty under Rule 14.7a. Penalty for not using a fairway mat as required above: Disqualification. **Preferred Lies & Bunkers** When a ball lies anywhere within the general area which IS NOT cut to fairway height or less (The Rough), the ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced no more than six inches from where it originally lay without penalty or played from a mat using the procedure outlined above. The player must mark the original position of the ball before lifting it and the area of relief must remain in the general area and must not be nearer to the hole than where it originally lay. The General Area refers to any area of the course that is not a hazard and is not a putting green. **Bunkers** **With effect from Monday November 2nd, 2026**, and until further notice, when a ball lies in a bunker, the ball may be lifted, the bunker raked, and the ball replaced no nearer the hole and no more than six inches from where it originally lay. **Men's Tuesday Competitions** Due to the weather and the hole closures last Tuesday (27/10/26) there were only twelve entrants in the Tuesday Competition. The Committee have decided that this competition was not viable and has now been cancelled. Those who entered will have their entry fee refunded. Due to the drop in numbers entering the Tuesday Competitions, the Committee have decided that these stableford competitions will no longer be divisional. Instead, prizes will be paid for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places net and for the best gross score. The amount of the prizes awarded will depend on the number of entrants in each competition and we will endeavour to pay out all monies received in entry fees for the competition in question. All Men's Tuesday competitions during the winter period will finish on the 10th hole unless otherwise indicated. If one or more holes are closed on any given competition day, the number of holes open will dictate the number of holes for that particular competition. **Mixed Sunday Competitions** Following the course closure last Sunday, the mixed shootout (2) will now be played on November 15th thereby maintaining this as a four week competition with the best aggregate three from four scores determining the winner. The Greens Committee have advised us that for tomorrow's competition, there will only be one temporary green in play which will be on hole 17. Due to the number of members who wish to play in the Sunday competitions, The Committee have decided that following completion of the Autumns Shootout series, Sunday competitions played in the winter period will be played over 14 holes. The reasoning for this is to allow more members to play in the competitions who would otherwise lose the light. Those members who play earlier on a Sunday are still able to complete the full 18 holes of golf, but only holes 1 - 14 will count for competition purposes. **Slow Play** Whilst we understand that it takes extra time when using mats and implementing preferred lies, please make every attempt to keep the course moving. Where possible, please play your ball before walking across the fairway to help a playing partner look for theirs. If you are losing ground on the group in front, please call following groups through as is appropriate. If you have any questions or queries, please contact us at: handicapandcomp@leeparkgolfclub.co.uk Best wishes Paul Graff (Chairman) Handicap & Competitions Committee