The ball nearer the hole is lifted and moved one or more putter head lengths to the side. ... In either case (assisting or interfering), the position of the ball to be lifted must be marked before it is lifted and the lifted ball must not be cleaned except when it is lifted from the putting green .
What the ball is off the green What is the rule?
“ Interference under this Rule exists when your ball is on a wrong green or a wrong green physically interferes with your area of intended stance or area of intended swing. When there is interference by a wrong green, you must not play the ball as it lies.
Can a ball be marked off the green?
You can mark, lift and clean a ball on the green , but it's a violation to do so when another ball is in motion, as your ball might influence the outcome of that stroke. You can also mark and clean your ball in some instances when it's off the green: cleaning it, for example, just to the point where you can identify it.
What is the rule for marking a golf ball?
The ball should be marked before it is lifted. If the ball is lifted before it is marked, the player incurs a one-stroke penalty. To mark a ball, place the ball marker directly behind the ball and then lift the ball .
Can you change balls on the green?
You can always use a new ball when starting a hole. You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. ... On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole .
Who putts first on or off the green?
It doesn't matter whether you're on the green or off. If you're farthest from the cup, then you play first . That means you might have to putt before your partner plays a shot, for example, from a bunker, if your putt is longer than your partner's bunker shot.
What is the smallest green on the PGA Tour?
The average Pebble Beach green is just 3,500 square feet, the smallest on the PGA TOUR. The average green depth at Pebble Beach is just 26 paces. And those greens are surrounded by 118 bunkers — or six more than the Old Course at St. Andrews.
Can you clean your ball in the fairway?
Obviously golfers are allowed to mark and clean golf balls on the putting surfaces, so preferred lies rules don't apply there. Everywhere else on the golf course that isn't the fairway or green of the hole the golfer is currently playing, the golfer has to play the ball down, as it lies, without cleaning or moving it.
Is it legal to draw a line on your golf ball?
Yes, drawing an arrow/line on your golf ball is 100% legal and used by some of the best golfers in the world. Players across the world draw lines, add their initials, and other signature markings to their golf balls.
Can you stand behind a golfer when he is putting?
You're allowed to stand on an extension of the line of putt after the stroke , so it's permissible to walk in behind a ball after it has started rolling. ... If you do, the player making the stroke incurs a two-shot penalty.
What do pros use to mark their ball on the green?
On the putting green, the vast majority of golfers use “a coin (or) an object made to be a ball marker ,” as the rulebook definition puts it. The procedures for marking, lifting the ball, replacing the ball, and lifting the ball marker are covered in Rule 14.
How many balls are PGA players allowed to carry?
And, as long as we're on the subject of equipment, there is no limit on the number of balls that a golfer can carry in their bag. The pros always expect to have to replace a few damaged balls during the round and even lose one or two, so they typically take 10 or 12 balls to the first tee.
What happens if you knock the ball off the tee?
Rule 6.1a tells us that we start a hole by making a stroke and a stroke, by definition, is the forward movement of the club with the intent to hit the ball. Knocking the ball off the tee by accident is not intent to hit the ball so it doesn't count as a stroke. Put the ball back on the tee and hit away with no penalty.
What is the golden rule in golf?
Play the ball as it lies . Don't move, bend, or break anything growing or fixed, except in fairly taking your stance or swing. Don't press anything down. You may lift natural objects not fixed or growing, except in a water hazard or bunker.
What are 3 etiquette rules when on the green?
- Don't make footmarks in the green. ...
- Don't putt through other people's lines. ...
- Don't walk through other people's lines. ...
- Don't putt to holes that other people are using. ...
- If the green is small and busy, don't set up a big putting drill.
Can you hit off a green?
What's the ruling if your ball ends up on the wrong putting green? So, you've hit the green. ... “ When there is interference by a wrong green, you must not play the ball as it lies ,” the rule says. “Instead, you must take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the relief area.”
