I have been asked this question.

“In a circumstance where a Committee has introduced a Local Rule that modifies a Rule of Golf, can a player choose which one to follow? Do they operate separately or does the Local Rule override the Rule of Golf?”

In most cases the above situation does not arise, because the Local Rule offers additional options to the Rules of Golf. Examples are;

• The Rules do not permit a player from removing stones (loose impediments) from a bunker, but a Local Rule may offer this option for player safety reasons.
• The Rules do not permit a player to prefer their lie, but a Local Rule for ‘Preferred Lies’ does give the player this option.
• The Rules only permit a player to take relief if a ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in any clos… Read More