THE PUTTING GREEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Principles for the Putting Green. This will be another noticeable change as soon as you start playing under these 2019 Rules. The putting green will be much more relaxed on limitations and procedures that we have traditionally been taught. For general video explanations on the new putting green Rules, please click HERE and HERE to see the video explanations.

 

 

Repairing Damage to the Putting Green. (Rule 13.1c) The Rules guarding actions that you can and cannot do on the putting green will also be a very noticeable change. You will be able to fix certain types of damage that were previously off limits (spike marks, player equipment damage, animal hoof prints, embedded items, etc.). This new change is not exactly a free for all on the putting green. You will still not be allowed to repair certain types of damage such as: natural wear of the hole, aeration holes, natural surface imperfections, weeds, poor growth or bare areas. Click HERE and HERE to see the video explanations.

 

 

Marking the Ball. (Rules 14.1 & 14.2) You may always mark and lift your ball when it is on the putting green. You must use an artificial object (no stones or acorns) to mark the position of the ball. This must be done before the ball is picked up to be cleaned. You may also choose to simply place the toe of a putter to mark the position of the ball to be picked up, cleaned and returned to its original spot on the putting green.

 

 

Replacing the Ball. (Rule 14.2) When replacing the ball on a spot, it must be done by you, your partner or the person who had moved the ball. This must be done by placing it on the spot and releasing the ball with your hand so it comes to rest on that spot. For instance, you cannot drop a ball on the putting green and roll the ball back to their original spot with your club.

 

 

Caddie may mark the Ball. (Rules 10.3b, 14.1 & 14.2) Your caddie may also mark the position of the ball and pick it up when it lies on the putting green without having specific confirmation by the player. In this instance, when replacing the ball, this must be done by either your caddie, you or your partner. Be careful to know that the caddie may not replace the ball if the caddie was not the one who marked the ball and picked it up. So if you pick up your ball and then give it to your caddie to clean, the caddie cannot set the ball down to put it back in play after it has been cleaned. In this situation, you must replace the ball since you were the one to move it in the first place or be subject to a one stroke penalty.

 

 

Touching your line of Putt. (Rule 10.2b) You, your partner or your caddie will be able to touch your line of play on the putting green in pointing to a spot to hit towards. This can be done with a hand, foot, club head, or end of the flagstick. If someone does this, they may not leave their hand, foot, club head or end of the flagstick in place while you are making the stroke. Click HERE  to see the video explanation.

 

 

Removong Sand and Loose Soil. (Rule 13.1c) A player, partner or caddie may always remove sand or loose soil from the putting green (i.e. next to a greenside bunker where sand is often hit onto the green from a bunker shot). It also does not matter if your ball is on or off the putting green when you remove any sand or loose soil. Be sure to note that this removal of sand and loose soil is only allowed on the putting green and the teeing area and not allowed anywhere else on the golf course.

 

 

Accidental Movement of the Ball or Ball Marker on the Putting Green. (Rule 13.1d) If your ball or ball marker is accidentally moved for any reason while it lies on the putting green, there is no penalty and the ball must replace by you or whomever moved the ball. Picking the ball up intentionally after having forgot to mark the original position is not considered "accidental" and the player will be penalized one stroke. Click HERE to see the video explanation.

 

 

Ball on Putting Green Moved by Wind. (Rule 13.1d(2)) When the ball has been moved by wind, gravity or no apparent reason (natural forces), whether you replace you ball or not depends on if you had already established the ball's position on the putting green. If you have already marked, lifted and replaced your ball on the putting green, any further movement by the ball (other than you making a stroke at the ball) will result in you replacing the ball on that spot. So, if your ball is on a ledge and then is blown off the ledge by wind or gravity (i.e. no reason), you will replace the ball only if you have already marked, lifted and replaced that ball on the putting green. This is known as a "home base" principle. If you had not marked, lifted and replaced the ball, you will play the ball from it's new position, whether or not that is closer to the hole. Click HERE to see the video explanation.