Playing golf under summer rules simply means playing the game as it was intended - by its actual rules. This guide will walk you through the core principle of summer golf, how to handle the common tough lies and situations you'll face on a firm, fast course, and how to do it all with confidence.
Let's clear this up right away. "Summer rules" isn't an official term for a special set of rules. It’s golf slang for playing the game strictly by the established Rules of Golf, with the main principle being that you play the ball as it lies. There are no special allowances to move your ball out of a bad spot just because the grass is thin or the ground is hard.
This is in direct contrast to "winter rules" or "preferred lies," which is a temporary local rule committees can put in place to protect the course when it's wet and muddy. During the summer, courses are typically in their best condition - firm, fast, and healthy. So, we return to the traditional spirit of the game: you face the challenge presented by wherever your ball comes to rest.
Embracing this isn't just about following rules, it’s about becoming a better, more creative, and more resilient golfer. Learning to handle the unique challenges of summer conditions is a massive part of improving your game.
The foundation of all golf is Rule 9.1: Your ball must be played as it lies. During the summer, you'll be tempted to break this rule more often than you think. Your ball might settle into a patchy area of fairway, a dry divot, or a patch of hardpan dirt. The instinct is to nudge it over an inch to a better patch of grass.
Resist that urge! Playing the ball down teaches you invaluable skills:
Think of it this way: the course architect designed it to challenge you. Patches of rough, uneven lies, and firm ground are all part of the playing field. Honoring "play it as it lies" means you’re accepting the full challenge of the game.
Firm summer conditions create specific challenges many golfers struggle with. Let's break down the most common ones and give you a simple plan for how to tackle each.
This is probably the most feared lie in summer golf. Your ball is sitting on grass that’s thin, dry, and offers zero cushion between the ball and the hard ground underneath. It feels like you’re hitting off a dinner plate. The fear is hitting it thin (blading it across the green) or fat (catching the hard ground first and stubbing the club).
Your goal here is not to take a divot. You want to "pick" the ball off the turf with a shallow, sweeping motion.
Hardpan is even tougher than a dry lie - it’s packed-down dirt, a cart path without the pavement, or a seriously neglected patch of ground. It’s rock-hard and unforgiving.
Think about how you hit a great shot from a firm fairway bunker. You focus entirely on hitting the ball first. The same mental approach works here.
Warm weather and sun make the rough grow thick, strong, and tangled. When your ball settles down in this stuff, the grass can grab your clubhead, twisting the face closed and slowing it down dramatically.
This is not the time for heroism. Advancing the ball 75 yards back into the fairway is a massive win compared to trying for 150 yards and moving it only 2 feet.
Hard, fast fairways are great! They give you extra roll and more distance. But they come with a different set of strategic considerations.
You can’t just fly the ball all the way to the flag and expect it to stop. You have to account for how the ball will behave when it lands.
Playing by summer rules also means taking care of the course when it’s firm and fast. The grounds crew does their part, and we need to do ours. It's an essential part of the game's etiquette.
Playing summer rules is about experiencing golf in its purest form. It challenges you to become a more complete player by demanding creativity, smart strategy, and mental resilience. Learning to love hitting a low runner from 140 yards or popping a wedge out of deep rough is just as satisfying as a perfect drive.
For those tricky situations where you're standing over the ball just not sure what to do - whether it's a bare lie or a tough spot in the rough - we built Caddie AI to be your on-demand course consultant. You can even take a photo of your lie, and we’ll give you instant, personalized advice on the best way to play the shot. It takes the guesswork out of difficult situations so you can play with more confidence, no matter what lie the course gives you.
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