Course Update
Preferred Lies, Robot Mowers & Captain's Drive-In
Dear Members,
Please note the following information from the Handicap & Competitions Committee:
**Preferred Lies & Qualifying Golf**
Please be advised that with effect from 0800 on Sunday 12th April 2026, the local rules allowing preferred lies in the general area and raking & placing of balls in a bunker will be withdrawn.
The local rule allowing preferred lies on closely-mown areas will remain until further notice.
**In a bunker, the ball must now be played as it lies.**
**When in a part of the general area which is not cut to fairway height or less, the ball must now be played as it lies.**
If a ball becomes embedded (plugged) in a part of the general area which is not cut to fairway height or less, the position of the ball should be marked. The ball may then be lifted, cleaned and dropped within one club length of where it originally lay not nearer to the hole.
Due to the above, we are now able to commence qualifying golf from Monday 13th April, 2026. From this date, the digital courses, allowing the submission of general play cards, will be switched on. The first qualifying competitions will be the Men's and Ladies Tuesday Competitions on Tuesday 14th April, 2026.
**Captains' Drive-In **
Entry for this competition will close at 0900 tomorrow 9th April, 2026. If you haven't yet entered and wish to do so there are still spaces available. If your availability changes and you can no longer play, please email this committee as soon as possible to enable us to change the start sheet. A further email will be issued tomorrow or Friday laying out the full competition rules and the order of the day.
**Robot Mowers**
We have received a few questions over what to do if competition play is influenced by the use of our new robot mowers. Here are our views on how you should proceed:
**Ball in Motion Hits a Mower (Deflection):** If your ball in motion is accidentally deflected by a moving or stationary robot, there is no penalty. You must play the ball as it lies (Rule 11.1).
**Ball at Rest Moved by a Mower:** If a robot moves your stationary ball, there is no penalty. You must replace the ball on its original spot (Rule 9.6). If the mower "eats" or carries the ball away, you must estimate the original spot and replace it there.
**Interference (Stance/Swing):** If a stationary robot interferes with your swing or stance, it is treated as a movable obstruction (Rule 16.1), allowing you free relief.
**Ball on the Green:** If a putt hits a mower and goes in, the ball is considered holed.
**Purposeful Interference:** If you intentionally stop a robot to affect your ball's movement, you may receive a penalty for serious misconduct (Rule 1.2a).
In short: If your ball hits the robot, play it where it lands. If the robot moves your ball, replace it.
**Prizes for 2026**
An bulletin detailing a breakdown of the prize money that we will be awarding this season for various competitions will be circulated next week.
**Spring Trophy - Sunday 3rd May, 2026**
Please be reminded that the first 'drawn' competition of the new season will be the Spring Trophy on 3rd May. Entry opens (in zones) via V1 and HDID at 2100 this Sunday.
If you have any questions or queries on any of the above information, please write to us at handicapandcomp@leeparkgolfclub.co.uk
Best wishes for the new season.
Paul Graff (Chairman)
Handicap & Competitions Committee
Please note the following information from the Handicap & Competitions Committee:
**Preferred Lies & Qualifying Golf**
Please be advised that with effect from 0800 on Sunday 12th April 2026, the local rules allowing preferred lies in the general area and raking & placing of balls in a bunker will be withdrawn.
The local rule allowing preferred lies on closely-mown areas will remain until further notice.
**In a bunker, the ball must now be played as it lies.**
**When in a part of the general area which is not cut to fairway height or less, the ball must now be played as it lies.**
If a ball becomes embedded (plugged) in a part of the general area which is not cut to fairway height or less, the position of the ball should be marked. The ball may then be lifted, cleaned and dropped within one club length of where it originally lay not nearer to the hole.
Due to the above, we are now able to commence qualifying golf from Monday 13th April, 2026. From this date, the digital courses, allowing the submission of general play cards, will be switched on. The first qualifying competitions will be the Men's and Ladies Tuesday Competitions on Tuesday 14th April, 2026.
**Captains' Drive-In **
Entry for this competition will close at 0900 tomorrow 9th April, 2026. If you haven't yet entered and wish to do so there are still spaces available. If your availability changes and you can no longer play, please email this committee as soon as possible to enable us to change the start sheet. A further email will be issued tomorrow or Friday laying out the full competition rules and the order of the day.
**Robot Mowers**
We have received a few questions over what to do if competition play is influenced by the use of our new robot mowers. Here are our views on how you should proceed:
**Ball in Motion Hits a Mower (Deflection):** If your ball in motion is accidentally deflected by a moving or stationary robot, there is no penalty. You must play the ball as it lies (Rule 11.1).
**Ball at Rest Moved by a Mower:** If a robot moves your stationary ball, there is no penalty. You must replace the ball on its original spot (Rule 9.6). If the mower "eats" or carries the ball away, you must estimate the original spot and replace it there.
**Interference (Stance/Swing):** If a stationary robot interferes with your swing or stance, it is treated as a movable obstruction (Rule 16.1), allowing you free relief.
**Ball on the Green:** If a putt hits a mower and goes in, the ball is considered holed.
**Purposeful Interference:** If you intentionally stop a robot to affect your ball's movement, you may receive a penalty for serious misconduct (Rule 1.2a).
In short: If your ball hits the robot, play it where it lands. If the robot moves your ball, replace it.
**Prizes for 2026**
An bulletin detailing a breakdown of the prize money that we will be awarding this season for various competitions will be circulated next week.
**Spring Trophy - Sunday 3rd May, 2026**
Please be reminded that the first 'drawn' competition of the new season will be the Spring Trophy on 3rd May. Entry opens (in zones) via V1 and HDID at 2100 this Sunday.
If you have any questions or queries on any of the above information, please write to us at handicapandcomp@leeparkgolfclub.co.uk
Best wishes for the new season.
Paul Graff (Chairman)
Handicap & Competitions Committee