Definitions for "Preferred lies"
Keywords:  lie, wet, thaw, temporary, beside
(aka: "improved lies", "winter rules", "bumping it", "foot wedge") a local rule under which a player can improve his lie without penalty. Example: "The course was still so wet from the spring thaw that we had to play preferred lies for the Men's opening tournament."
Allowing the ball to be moved due to wet areas.
The local rules may allow you to improve your lie because of the condition of the course. You are usually allowed to clean the ball and more it no more than one card length from the original position.