Rules questions - ball mark

[Soup Fan]

I was faced with a long putt today that came up short and came to rest in a previous group's unrepaired ball mark. I did not notice it prior to making my first putt because it was more a of a little dent. It was not a deep mark and took up no mud.

I asked the other members I was playing with if they cared if I marked my ball, repaired the green and made my putt. They had no objections, but none of us knew for sure whether or not that was kosher. Was that ok, or does that sort of thing have to be taken care of prior to my first putt if it is in my line?

[Stacey_E]

My guess is mark, lift, repair and place the ball would be cool by the rules. Interesting though, and I'll watch for the verdict.

[Kabal]

My guess is mark, lift, repair and place the ball would be cool by the rules. Interesting though, and I'll watch for the verdict.

I would have to agree with your opinion, as long as your repair job did not move the original position of your ball marker. Once your ball is marked, it seems to me that the location under the ball should be treated just like any location that the ball may end up.

I too am looking forward to seeing more opinions on this.

[CG031]

I've had this happen numerous times, where my ball has become at rest in a miniture 'divot' on the green. It's frustrating, because it's not that easy to get the putt to come out solid. I usually move it over about 6 inches if I'm in a round by myself or a relaxed round, because I don't really think it's fair to have to putt out of something such as that on a GREEN of all places. But thankfully I've never had it happen in a tournament.

[iacas]

You're allowed to fix a ball mark on the green, whether it's yours or three hours old or whatever. Spike marks no, ball marks yes. You're also allowed free relief from a ball embedded in its own pitch mark anywhere on the green or fringe.

I would have to agree with your opinion, as long as your repair job did not move the original position of your ball marker. Once your ball is marked, it seems to me that the location under the ball should be treated just like any location that the ball may end up.

I also believe that if your coin moves as a result of fixing the ball mark, there's no penalty. Worst case, mark your ball, move your mark a putterhead to the side, repair the ball mark, and move your mark back. I swear I just read this rule somewhere but can't find it again quickly.

I've had this happen numerous times, where my ball has become at rest in a miniture 'divot' on the green. It's frustrating, because it's not that easy to get the putt to come out solid. I usually move it over about 6 inches if I'm in a round by myself or a relaxed round, because I don't really think it's fair to have to putt out of something such as that on a GREEN of all places. But thankfully I've never had it happen in a tournament.

Since you're allowed to fix old ball marks, why cheat? Just fix it and putt.

[Fourputt]

I've had this happen numerous times, where my ball has become at rest in a miniture 'divot' on the green. It's frustrating, because it's not that easy to get the putt to come out solid. I usually move it over about 6 inches if I'm in a round by myself or a relaxed round, because I don't really think it's fair to have to putt out of something such as that on a GREEN of all places. But thankfully I've never had it happen in a tournament.

Fixing the old pitch mark is the correct procedure. Mark the ball, lift it, then repair the damage. Replace the ball and play your shot.

Moving the ball 6 inches (or even 1/2 inch) is a 2 stroke penalty for playing from a wrong place (Rule 20-7).

[Garthmo]

Good info, had my ball resting on aslope on a green in it's own ball mark, so had a tuff time to get it to stay if i repaired the mark.

[Fourputt]

Good info, had my ball resting on aslope on a green in it's own ball mark, so had a tuff time to get it to stay if i repaired the mark.

If the ball won't stay when replaced, then (and only then) you can move it to the

nearest spot on the green where it will remain in place , but not closer to the hole.

[Soup Fan]

Thank you. I am happy to hear I got it right.

[divotrepair]

I have a question about handicaps but i cant make a thread any ideas. I am a 13.6 handicap and i played a 9.2 handicap the other day. The slope rating of the course was 132 and 70.8. The 9 handicaper scored a 7 on the #1 handicap hole and i scored a 5. Do i still receive a stroke on this hole even tho i already won this hole? We are playing stroke play by the way

[CG031]

Fixing the old pitch mark is the correct procedure. Mark the ball, lift it, then repair the damage. Replace the ball and play your shot.

You're allowed to fix a ball mark on the green, whether it's yours or three hours old or whatever. Spike marks no, ball marks yes. You're also allowed free relief from a ball embedded in its own pitch mark anywhere on the green or fringe.

I wasn't trying to cheat obviously, I just didn't know you were allowed to fix the mark, that's all.

[iacas]

I wasn't trying to cheat obviously, I just didn't know you were allowed to fix the mark, that's all.

And if you're a golfer, you know that intent rarely factors into the rules.

Learn the rules. They help you as often (or more so) than they hurt you.

[RemyM]

I have a question about handicaps but i cant make a thread any ideas. I am a 13.6 handicap and i played a 9.2 handicap the other day. The slope rating of the course was 132 and 70.8. The 9 handicaper scored a 7 on the #1 handicap hole and i scored a 5. Do i still receive a stroke on this hole even tho i already won this hole? We are playing stroke play by the way

In stroke play you deduct your course handicap from your final total for the round, hole by hole scores don't matter. So with a 132 slope your index converts to a 16 and his to 11.

If you were playing match play then you would get 5 shots from him on the 1 to 5 handicap holes indicated on the scorecard. So in match play your net 4 would have beaten his 7.