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Do you find that many people on your course tend to roll the ball to a better lie , even if it is in the rough?? Some say that winter rules apply, but aren't we still supposed to " play it as it lays" ?

Do you play it down, or do you roll ? I tend to play as is and pay thte consequences of my mishits or bad luck. :D

It really depends on my mood. If I'm playing with friends and there's money on the line, I'm definitely playing it as it lies because I expect everyone else to do the same. If I'm playing a casual round, I'll still play it as it lies most of the time but every once in a while, I'll move my ball to a different lie.

The only time I roll the ball is if I have a lie that I believe will damage a club--or me--and then only in a casual round; otherwise, I take an unplayable lie. I just like to follow the rules as much as reasonable to give me an accurate reflection of my ability to score.

Playing a match, playing a round that I turn in for handicap, etc..., always as it lies.

Practicing, I will move the ball, or even hit 2 or 3 balls if the course is empty and I'm not holding anyone up. This might mean moving a ball in the rough to an even worse lie, if thats what I need to practice.

I used to roll the ball most of the time when I played casual rounds but when I stopped and began playing it down it eventually improved my ballstriking. At first it was discouraging because I always had a worse lie than I was used to. After about a month of playing it down I found I was hitting the ball much crisper from all lies. When I did find a good lie my shots produced better results. You won't become a better player by always having a perfect lie. Yes, you'll score better, but when you find yourself in a situation where you have to play it as it lies, you'll have no chance of scoring well. When you "roll the ball" you're only preventing yourself from becoming a better player. IMO

I play golf. I'm not familiar with any rule of golf that allows you to improve your lie without taking a penalty stroke.

Hi all,
Down here in winter, most (if not all) clubs have a "Clean and Place" rule for protection of the fairways, which it does succeed in doing on the whole.

The rule is that you must place a marker behind/beside the ball first, then lift, clean (if required), and place within 15cms (6 inches) no nearer the hole. Most courses have this rule for any fairway.

Cheers,
Jim

Play it as it lies, always. In the event of possible damage to a club I will move, but then take the appropriate penalty stroke.

My old man was chairman of the rules committee where he played. He was always telling me: "Play the course as you find it." I derive private satisfaction (OK, I'm smug about it) by hitting out of divots (play it a little back in your stance and take an extra club), etc. About 1/3 of my golf is played in a league and we all play as close to the rules as our knowledge of them allows. A non-league buddy of mine (another 1/3 of my golf) has the same attitude, so he and I always play by the rules, too. So, what started as a childhood habit is getting reinforced in adulthood.

Now, the other 1/3 of my golf is with coworkers, who roll it, take mulligans, concede themselves 2- and 3-footers. And it's fine with me if they do that (no money involved). They're nice guys and we're just out to have fun. But it strikes them as odd that I don't play the same way. So lately I've been thinking that when I'm with them, I'll do as the Romans do. I just won't be able to get a post-able score out of the deal. And with less pressure, I might play better, too!

I agree "with the play it as it lies" rule and do it most of the time. I would do it all the time but, our pro decides before we out in our leagues whether we do or not. When we dont, it is usually at the beginning of the golf season. For those of you that disagree with that, I bet the majority of you live in the southern states. For those of us that live in the north (Indiana) the courses usually arent suitable for "down" playing until April. Just my opinion.

Just for the record, I have taught my son to always play it down. He knows no other way. For those of you that havent taken a look at his website, please do and please sign his guestbook telling us where you are from. http://www.webspawner.com/users/konnerjordan/index.html

I agree with Jim Paulsen. I have played at many golf clubs and around much of the globe. In poor ground conditions most if not all will specifiy "lift, clean & place" within 12" (300mm) of original position and no closer the hole. If not specified (as on most public courses) and conditions warrant it then my foursome will decide as a group if this is to be applied. Notwithstanding that I have played with many "pickup" groups where I have seen players improving their lies, some even teeing it up! I refrain from comments except to suggest that they not leave their tees in the fairway.