Does the fringe count as fairway when playing winter rules?

[popey]

We have recently moved into the winter season and the signs for winter rules have come out. The other day I was playing and my playing partner wondered if he could mark his ball on the fringe of the green as it was cut to the same length.

After much debat we decided that he shouldn't mark the ball which he was happy to do. I said that the winter rules only refer to the fairway (even though there is not the term fairway in the rules of golf)

Anybody have any clearer takes on this rule?

[Kahuna]

Maybe theirs something here to answer your question:

http://www.usga.org/playing/handicap...ection_07.html

[popey]

Do the USGA rules change from the R and A. (as i play in England) I have herd before how some rules are different like the on if the ball in the fairway is plugged.

Cheers for the Link

[Kahuna]

Do the USGA rules change from the R and A. (as i play in England) I have herd before how some rules are different like the on if the ball in the fairway is plugged.

Good question... Sorry I don't have an answer for your side of the pond.

[SSandlin]

I checked the R&A; website, and their take on the Winter rules (or preferred lies rule) is pretty similar to the USGA's. If you don't have it already, here is the link to read...

http://www.randa.org/flash/rules/PDF/RoG2004.pdf

I found it on page 120 of the book--Appendix I, Part A, Rule 4-b I believe.

[iacas]

We have recently moved into the winter season and the signs for winter rules have come out.

It's important to realize that there's no such thing - officially - as "winter rules." The rules of golf exist in only one form, really. "Winter Rules" are just a way for groups to agree on a modified set of rules in funny times of year so that they can keep up their bets, further enjoy themselves, or whatever.

The other day I was playing and my playing partner wondered if he could mark his ball on the fringe of the green as it was cut to the same length.

That's never allowed unless lift, clean, and place has been instituted.

After much debat we decided that he shouldn't mark the ball which he was happy to do. I said that the winter rules only refer to the fairway (even though there is not the term fairway in the rules of golf).

You can lift, clean, and place a ball embedded in its own pitchmark in "closely mown areas." "Closely mown" means "cut to fairway height or lower." The fringe qualifies.

[golfchief]

besides lift,clean and place, you can only pick up the ball to identify the ball is yours and you can only clean it enough to see your mark, any more cleaning than that you get a penalty.the ball is either on the green or off.