Archive for May, 2011

Putting Rules

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

Barb Hanson

When finishing up a short putt, can you stand on one side of the hole and reach across the hole to tap it in?

YES. As long as you “fairly strike” the ball, not scrape, push or spoon it. (The Rules of Golf - Rule 14-1) The rule also states that the “ball must be fairly struck with the head of the club.”

I was asked if it was a rule that you must address the ball when putting.

NO.  “A player has ‘addressed the ball’ when she has taken her stance and has also grounded her club.” However, a player is not forced to address the ball before striking it. In fact, in very windy situations on a putting green, it is wise NOT to address the ball, i.e. ground your club, because if the ball moves, you do not incur a penalty.

One more question: Is it okay to hold the flagstick with one hand while putting with the other?

YES. Rule 17-1/5

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Rule 11: Teeing Ground

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

Did you see the flap today on the PGA tour with Padraig Harrington? After completing his round, he was told that he may have teed up in front of the tee markers on one of the last holes.

What does Rule 11 say about teeing from outside of the teeing ground?

In stroke play, you incur a two-stroke penalty and you must correct your mistake before teeing off on the next hole or, in the case of the last hole of the round, declaring your intention to correct your mistake before leaving the green. If the mistake is not corrected, you are disqualified. That would have been Padraig’s fate if the officials had agreed that there was an infraction.

In match play, your opponent may require you to replay the shot. This must be done immediately and there is no penalty involved.

If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, I’m pretty sure you won’t make that mistake again. I know I won’t.

By the way, do you know the specific parameters of the teeing ground? It is a “rectangular area two club-lengths in depth, the front and sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee-markers.”

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