With the winter season upon us, the Golf Committee has agreed a clear, consistent approach to the use of preferred lies and winter mats across the Club. The aim is to ensure that everyone understands the rules and that the same approach applies to all sections. For all qualifying competitions and any round where a score is submitted for handicap purposes, preferred lies and winter mats may be used only on closely mown areas of the course. They do not apply in the rough. In practical terms, you may lift, clean and place your ball, or use a winter mat where permitted, on closely mown areas, but you must play the ball as it lies when it is in the rough. It is important to distinguish between a casual social round and a round where you intend to submit a score for handicap purposes. If you use preferred lies or winter mats in the rough, that round cannot be treated as a qualifying/general-play score for handicap purposes. If you intend to submit a score, you must follow these agreed winter rules throughout your round. We appreciate that winter conditions can make golf more challenging, and these arrangements are intended to provide a straightforward and fair approach for everyone. Please help us by following the same rules consistently and by checking that you understand when and where preferred lies and winter mats are permitted. Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy your winter golf. Avro Golf Committee