Can I get a ruling

[Iowa Hawkeye]

On using the backside of a club such as a putter as a chipper.

If someone uses the flat edge of a blade putter, that is meant to pick up a ball, to chip a ball is that allowed? If not what would the penalty be?

[iacas]

  Iowa Hawkeye said:

On using the backside of a club such as a putter as a chipper.

If a club's legal - and a putter is (the backsides of putters aren't "meant" to pick up a ball, they just can) - then you can hit it wherever you want.

Only the two-faced chippers are really "illegal," but the whole club's illegal, not just one side of it or something.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Alright, thanks. I wasn't sure if that was allowed, since the club has one of those lips that can pick up the ball, so someone I play with on occasion will set up lefty and basically throw the ball at the stick with the back of his putter from around the green.

[David in FL]

  Iowa Hawkeye said:

Alright, thanks. I wasn't sure if that was allowed, since the club has one of those lips that can pick up the ball, so someone I play with on occasion will set up lefty and basically throw the ball at the stick with the back of his putter from around the green.

You can't "throw" the ball.

Rule 14.1 applies. 14-1. Ball to Be Fairly Struck At The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club and must not be pushed, scraped or spooned Penalty for violation is 2 strokes in stroke play. Loss of hole in match play.

[mdvaldosta]

You can't throw or lob a ball, it has to be "struck"

[goblue107501]

  Iowa Hawkeye said:

...so someone I play with on occasion will set up lefty and basically throw the ball at the stick with the back of his putter from around the green.

I'm pretty sure you can't just pick up the ball and throw it at the hole with the putter. Don't know what the penalty would be, but scooping the ball and throwing it would not be legal.

[iacas]

  Iowa Hawkeye said:

Alright, thanks. I wasn't sure if that was allowed, since the club has one of those lips that can pick up the ball, so someone I play with on occasion will set up lefty and basically throw the ball at the stick with the back of his putter from around the green.

He has to "hit" the ball. He can't "throw" or "carry" the ball at all. See rule 14; particularly 14-1.

[xringx]

I am thinking he ment a more general statement of the player hits the ball with back side of putter the "throw" it in the general vicinity of the hole...as in not be accurate...

[st0wgolf08]

  iacas said:

If a club's legal - and a putter is (the backsides of putters aren't "meant" to pick up a ball, they just can) - then you can hit it wherever you want.

Are you allowed to hit it with the side of the putter? I heard someone was penalized for doing that a little bit ago.

[iacas]

  st0wgolf08 said:

Are you allowed to hit it with the side of the putter? I heard someone was penalized for doing that a little bit ago.

Unlikely. You can hit it anywhere with the head of the club. Vijay famously holed an eagle at the 16th at TPC hitting it off the toe of his putter (toe down, intentionally).

[Iowa Hawkeye]

It is basically a half swing but he scrapes under the ball, like when you pick it up off the green, except he keeps it going like a pitch. Anyone understand what I mean?

[buttuh]

That's not throwing if I understand you correctly.

  Iowa Hawkeye said:

It is basically a half swing but he scrapes under the ball, like when you pick it up off the green, except he keeps it going like a pitch. Anyone understand what I mean?

[Iowa Hawkeye]

  buttuh said:

That's not throwing if I understand you correctly.

It just seems like it would be illegal because it rests on the putter while in the air, even if just for a brief moment. I'll see if I can get a video of what it looks like.