Can somebody please help me. Last weekend the local rule of preferred lies was in place due to the wet condition of the golf course however the I was advised that as I was competing in the Club Matchplay Championships both players had to agree to use the local rule otherwise you had to play the ball as it lies. Sadly for me on the day my openant did not want preferred lies so I had to deal with playing a mud covered ball until it reached the green. Is the decision correct and if so on what rule of golf is it based.

however the I was advised that as I was competing in the Club Matchplay Championships both players had to agree to use the local rule otherwise you had to play the ball as it lies.

Can I find a rule reference to that as I know that the so called experts at the club will want to disagree with you.

If a local rule is in force it is there to be taken advantage of. If there is a person or opponent for some unknown reason who doesn’t want to take advantage of the local rules it is there choice to do so. Like publish said it is in force to anyone until removed from the local rules board

Rules of Golf, Part A – App 1 Local Rules.

Furthermore breach of a local rule in matchplay is loss of hole and if you lost the match I believe you have the right to a rematch or indeed victory due to your oponents breach of said local rule.

But you both had the same conditions. Did you lose the match? If you won, would you be asking for advice?

But you both had the same conditions. Did you lose the match? If you won, would you be asking for advice?

It doesn’t matter if they both had the same conditions the local rule was ignored

Yes I did loose but thought I was ripped off and your advice confirms my thoughts. Thanks a lot for your input.