đșđž
Join Us
.webp)
When talking about golf, the green is one of the most critical and delicate areas of the course. This is where every shot counts the most, and a good knowledge of the rules can make the difference between winning or losing. In this article, we will explore in detail the rules to know when you are on the green, including specific situations such as water on the green, obstacles, and interactions with other players' balls.
When there is temporary water on the green, you are entitled to relief without penalty. Temporary water is defined as an accumulation of water on the surface of the ground, visible before or after the player has taken their stance. This includes puddles caused by rain or irrigationă12:4â sourceă.
You are on the green and notice a puddle of water on your putting line. After marking the position of your ball, you lift it and find the nearest point where there is no water, then place the ball at this spot and play your shot without penalty.
.png)
It is common to encounter irregularities such as pitch marks or damage caused by animals. You are allowed to repair these damages without penalty, provided it does not unreasonably delay playă12:4â sourceă.
Your ball rests on a putting line damaged by a former pitch mark. You use your pitch mark repair tool to level the surface, allowing your ball to roll unobstructed.
Sprinkler heads are considered immovable obstructions. You may take relief without penalty if they interfere with your stance or swingă12:1â sourceă.
Your ball rests directly on a sprinkler head. You mark the ball, lift it, and find the nearest point where there is no longer interference. You then drop the ball there to play your shot.
According to the rules, how to handle a ball touching another ball depends on where the shot was played fromă12:2â sourceă:
You play a putt from the green and your ball strikes your partnerâs ball. You must replace your partnerâs ball to its original location and add two penalty strokes to your score. If the shot had been played from outside the green, there would have been no penalty.
If your ball is plugged in a bunker (buried in the sand), you may take relief with a one-stroke penalty or play the ball as it liesă12:1â sourceăă12:3â sourceă.
Your ball is buried in the sand in a bunker. You decide to take relief with a penalty stroke, identify a point behind the bunker, and drop the ball there to play your next shot.
It is crucial to mark the position of your ball before lifting it, especially on the green for cleaning or repositioningă12:0â sourceăă12:8â sourceă.
Before cleaning your ball on the green, you place a marker just behind it, lift it, clean it, then replace it exactly where it was initially.
You may repair almost all damage on the green without penalty, including ball marks, nail impacts, and shoe damage. This helps maintain the green in good condition and ensures fair play for all playersă12:0â sourceă.
You notice a ball mark on your putting line. You use a repair tool to level the surface and allow your ball to roll without deviation.
If a movable obstruction (like a rake or ball marker) interferes with your play, you may remove it without penalty. If your ball moves when removing the obstruction, it must be replaced without penaltyă12:0â sourceă.
A rake is on your putting line. You remove it, but this slightly moves your ball. You replace the ball to its original spot and continue play without penalty.
If your moving ball accidentally hits yourself, your caddie, your equipment, or anyone else, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the ball hits another ball at rest on the green, which results in a penalty in stroke playă12:0â sourceă.
Your ball accidentally hits your caddie after a shot. You play the ball from where it lies without penalty.
You may lift and clean your ball at any time when it is on the green. This ensures that the ball rolls properly during the puttă12:8â sourceă.
Your ball is dirty after an approach shot. You mark it, lift it, clean it, and replace it to its original spot for an accurate putt.
Generally, you must play the ball as it lies without improving conditions affecting the shot. This means you may not move, break, or bend anything that is pushing or supporting the ball unless it is done to take your stance or swingă12:0â sourceă.
Your ball rests near a bush. You may not break the branches to create more space, but you may move them to take your stance and swing as long as you do not break them.
Knowing and applying these specific rules on the green can greatly improve your playing experience and performance. Whether you face water, obstructions, or situations involving other balls, these guidelines allow you to play confidently and in accordance with the official rules of golf.
â
Passionate golfer and co-founder of Teech Golf. My mission with Teech is to build technology that becomes a true companion in helping you improve your game.
Downloard Teech Golf on iOS/Android and get your free customized training plan with video by top coaches !
Download app
