Lift, clean and place??

Source: USGA Handicap Manual
Scores made when a local rule for preferred lies and/or winter rules is in effect must be posted for handicap purposes unless the committee (preferably the Handicap Committee in consultation with the committee in charge of the course) determines that conditions are so poor that such scores should not be posted. Individual players playing the course do not independently decide whether scores are acceptable because of this condition. If an individual decides to apply some form of this local rule and the committee has not invoked such a rule, the player's score is acceptable and must be posted for handicap purposes.

Source: Section 7-1
Having lifted the ball, he must place it on a spot within [specify area, e.g., six inches, one club-length, etc.] of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

Ahhhh, thanks for sharing that. So in the rough, play it as it lies, even if its a severe mud ball?? Thats good to know. I know the reaction I will get if I ask the clubhouse if its lift/clean/place. He'll say, "do whatever you want". Public courses, they really dont care.

Source: USGA Rules Appendix I, Part A, 4a
Course conditions that might interfere with proper playing of the game, including mud and extreme wetness, warranting relief for an embedded ball anywhere through the green or permitting lifting, cleaning and replacing a ball anywhere through the green or on a closely mown area through the green .

Source: Definitions

"Through the green" is the whole area of the course except:

a. The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and
b. All hazards on the course.

"Closely mown area" means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

What zeph said

Also, only in YOUR fairway.

Really? Every time i play in a match or whatever they always say that. Maybe it's a local rule or just something made up.

If you hook your ball into the adjacent fairway - it's not a "fairway" hit. I think in accordance with equity, a wrong fairway cannot be played LC&P.;

If you are playing in a competition,then the local rule must be enacted by the committee. If you are playing a casual round, then it's up to your group how you want to do it (your group is essentially its own committee). Such scores are allowed for handicap because it can only lower your index to play every shot from a favorable lie, not raise it. Thus you hurt your own chances in a competition if you maintain such a vanity handicap.