Golf after rain: what to expect and the rules that help
The storm has passed and the sky is clear, but the course is still soaked. Here is what a wet course means for your round, why the pro shop may restrict carts, and which rules of golf help when conditions get messy.
Why "cart path only"?
According to the USGA, wet ground is easily damaged by golf carts. Soil compaction from carts is a concern any time, but the effects are compounded when the ground is saturated. Narrow tires sink in and leave ruts that hurt how the course looks and plays and take time and labor to fix. Carts can also skid on wet grass and tear the turf.
That's why a course can restrict carts to the paths for a day or more after heavy rain, even when the sun is out. Some courses use a "90-degree rule" instead: drive on the path, then turn straight across to your ball and straight back. Either way, the restriction protects the course you'll be playing next week.
Tips for a cart-path-only day
- Take two or three clubs to your ball so you don't walk back and forth to the cart.
- Leave a little early. Rounds take longer when everyone is walking from the path.
- If you can, walk. A wet day is a good day to carry your bag.
How a wet course plays
- Less roll. Drives stop near where they land. Play the course longer than the scorecard says.
- Softer greens. Approach shots stop quickly. This is the day to fire at flags.
- Slower putts. Wet greens roll slower, especially early in the day. Hit putts firmly.
- Mud on the ball. A clump of mud can send a shot well off line. When the rules allow you to clean the ball, do it.
- Heavier bunker sand. Wet sand is firmer, so the club bounces more. Many golfers play a slightly fuller splash shot.
The rules that help
This is a plain-language summary. For exact wording, see the official Rules of Golf from the USGA and The R&A.
Embedded ball (Rule 16.3)
If your ball is embedded in its own pitch mark anywhere in the general area, you get free relief. That covers fairway and rough, but not a ball embedded in sand. Drop the ball within one club-length of the spot right behind where it was embedded, no nearer the hole. Some courses limit this relief by Local Rule to areas cut to fairway height or less.
Temporary water (Rule 16.1)
Standing water that is visible before or after you take your stance counts as an abnormal course condition. If it interferes with your lie, stance or swing in the general area, you get free relief at the nearest point of complete relief, within one club-length. There is also relief from temporary water in a bunker and on the green.
Preferred lies or "lift, clean and place" (Model Local Rule E-3)
When wet conditions are widespread, the course may announce preferred lies, often called winter rules or "lift, clean and place." When it is in effect, you can mark, lift and clean a ball that lies in the area the course specifies, usually the fairway. You then place it within a set distance, such as one club-length or a scorecard length, no nearer the hole. You can only do this once per shot. The course decides when the rule applies and how far you can move the ball, so check the notice in the pro shop or on the first tee. Scores played under preferred lies still count for handicap purposes unless the handicap committee says otherwise.
When does a course reopen?
It depends on how much rain fell, the course's soil and drainage, and the temperature. Courses built on sand drain quickly. Clay soils, which are common across North Texas, stay wet longer. After a big storm, call the pro shop rather than guessing. Many courses post updates on their website or social media.
When you're choosing a tee time after a storm, look at the rain forecast for the hours you'll be out and the hours just before. Golf Weather Intelligence treats a light drizzle differently from a downpour, so you can see whether a round is likely to stay dry once you're on the course.
Sources
- USGA — Why are carts occasionally restricted to cart paths?
- USGA — Relief for an embedded ball
- The R&A — Winter rules FAQs (Model Local Rule E-3)
- USGA Rules of Handicapping — Preferred lies
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