had there been no hole cut out, but simply a sprinkler in the middle of the green, Rule 24-2a entitles the player to relief from an immovable obstruction on the putting green that intervenes on the player’s line of putt. The relief procedure is exactly the same as stated for the abnormal ground condition. While relief from intervening
abnormal ground conditions and im- movable obstructions on the putting green involves lifting and placing the ball at the nearest point of relief, there are several obstacles that a player may simply eliminate without penalty. Rule 16-1a permits players to remove loose impediments on the line of putt without penalty provided nothing is pressed down. In addition, Rule 23-1 provides that there is no penalty if the ball is accidentally moved in the process of removing loose impediments if that movement was directly attributable to the act. This same rule permits players to touch their line of putt in the act of removing movable obstructions, like an abandoned tee, pencil or candy wrapper that may be on the putting green. Rule 16-1c permits the player
to repair damage caused by the impact of a ball (ball-marks) or old hole plugs. It is commonly believed that this may only be done once the player’s ball is
on the putting green, but the rule ac- tually permits this repair regardless of where the player’s ball lies. However, any other kinds of damage must not be repaired if it might assist the player in the subsequent play of the hole. One action that is not permitted is
purposely touching the line of putt in determining slope. New green-reading methods have players straddling their lines of putt in a way that is precari- ously close to breaching Rule 16-1a for touching the line of putt when not permitted. The penalty is quite severe—two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play. The R&A issued a statement earlier this year reminding players that the line of putt includes a reasonable distance on either side of the intended line, and that players should do their best to ensure they do not step on their line while reading their putts. There is no penalty for inadvertently touching the line of putt (see Decision 16-1a/12). So while there are many obstacles
that a player is entitled to eliminate or obtain relief for, there are still occa- sions when a player must not
You may repair damage caused by the impact of a ball (ball-marks) or old hole plugs. The rule permits repair
regardless of whether or not your ball is on the green.
You may remove loose impediments on the line of putt without penalty provided nothing is pressed down. You may also touch your line of putt in the act of removing movable obstructions, like an abandoned tee, pencil or candy wrapper.
touch the line of putt and may have to putt through irregularities. After all, the two fundamental principles of the Rules of Golf are “Play the ball as it lies, and play the course as you fi nd it.”
Ryan Farb is the NCGA’s Manager of Rules Education ✖
You may not touch the line of putt in determining slope. New green-reading methods have players straddling their lines of putt in a way that is precariously close to breaching this rule. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play.
SUMMER 2015 /
NCGA.ORG / 67
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