Fixing Putting Line Question

[Mrd19abhs]

I know that if a ball mark is on your putting line you can fix it and if there are loose impediments you can move them but the whole BB contreversy of Sarah calling Brian a cheater had me wondering if I could or could not fix where someone dragged their feet on the green.

This saturday I noticed a foot drag mark right on my line so i went to go lay grass back down with my hand and then the whole BB scenerio flashed into my mind as I leaned over to fix the grass. Could I have fixed the grass with my hand with out penality or could it be seen as trying to test the surface. I left it alone since Im not a rules guru.

[wrx_junki]

No.

16-1. General

I have patted down the green with the sole of my putter without penalizing myself. Some of the courses that I play on are not the greatest. Think the rules even prevent you from fixing the cup unless its a ball mark. I usually fix raised lips that are a result of people digging their putters into the hole to get their golf balls.

[zeg]

There's a relevant exception to 16-1 from Equity: If the mark was created by an opponent or fellow competitor after the ball had come to rest, then (and only then) you may restore the line of the putt to its former condition since you are entitled to the lie and line that your own stroke gave you. (Ruling 16-1a/13)

Otherwise, wrx_junki has it. Spike marks and gouges are, unfortunately, something you just have to roll over. If it's so severe that a reasonable committee would have declared it ground under repair, I certainly wouldn't fault you for treating it as such.

[BonoVox]

I think pros use the ole pitch mark routine to fix what might be a "spike" mark on a pretty routine basis. A dragged foot would be tough to get by with though.

I just got new spikes for my shoes and with the recent wet weather I have dragged them a couple of times. (not used to the new length yet) Of course I repair any damage.

[Vladimir Puttin']

The way I understand it is old hole plugs and pitch marks are the only things you can repair on a green.

[allin]

The way I understand it is old hole plugs and pitch marks are the only things you can repair on a green.

If they changed the rule so spike marks could be groomed my playing partners would loose their favorite excuse for their poor putting.

On fast greens spike marks are still a problem, but much less than 20 years ago when I started playing, and most played in metal spikes.

[1par2win]

Not being able to fix spike marks is the only rule I know of that just doesn't make sense. Anybody know why this rule hasn't been done away with?

[allin]

Not being able to fix spike marks is the only rule I know of that just doesn't make sense. Anybody know why this rule hasn't been done away with?

I think it is felt that it would slow play excessively, after all on a 50 foot put how many spike marks are there? Around the hole if everybody tamped the green before hitting 3-6 foot putts you could easily add a 1-2 minutes per foursome per hole. Who wants to add another 1/2 half hour to their round:?

[1par2win]

I think it is felt that it would slow play excessively, after all on a 50 foot put how many spike marks are there? Around the hole if everybody tamped the green before hitting 3-6 foot putts you could easily add a 1-2 minutes per foursome per hole. Who wants to add another 1/2 half hour to their round:?

You make a good point. It's a shame considering I wouldn't need to tap anything down on every putt and it would only be on that 6 foot putt that breaks a bit right at the point someone stubbed their foot. But your right, I could see some people with that "makeable" 50 footer tapping and tapping and tapping....

[zeg]

Not being able to fix spike marks is the only rule I know of that just doesn't make sense. Anybody know why this rule hasn't been done away with?

The rule exists and probably will always exist because unlike hole plugs and pitch marks, spike marks aren't easily recognizable. A rule that would let you fix spike marks would essentially let you fix any imperfection on your line.

[Ignorant]

Not being able to fix spike marks is the only rule I know of that just doesn't make sense. Anybody know why this rule hasn't been done away with?

The rule exists and probably will always exist because unlike hole plugs and pitch marks, spike marks aren't easily recognizable. A rule that would let you fix spike marks would essentially let you fix any imperfection on your line.

I believe that is the idea behind it.

As fas as the OP is concerned a player is allowed to fix any ball mark on the green regardless it’s location. The only exception I know of is the situation described in Dec 16-1c/2: 16-1c/2 Ball Mark in Position to Assist Opponent Q. A and B are playing a match. At a par-3 hole, both are on the green with their tee shots. A's ball comes to rest four feet from the hole. B's ball is fifteen feet from the hole. Upon reaching the green, A prepares to repair his ball mark. B tells A not to do so until he (B) has putted because A's ball mark is so situated that B's ball might be deflected into the hole by it. A objects, stating that he wishes to repair his ball mark immediately. May A do so? A. No. If A were to repair the ball mark, he would lose the hole under Rule 1-2. A has no right to repair a ball mark affecting B's play if B requests A not to repair it, unless the ball mark also physically affects A's play and it is A's turn to play.

[tigerwoo14]

From this thread I understand that one can repair pitch mark in one's line of putt.

But my golfmate says that if the pitch mark is there when the ball comes to rest on the green one is not allowed to repair. However if the pitch mark is caused by another golfer landing his ball on the green after one's  ball comes to rest then, repair is allowed. Is this correct?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by tigerwoo14

From this thread I understand that one can repair pitch mark in one's line of putt.

But my golfmate says that if the pitch mark is there when the ball comes to rest on the green one is not allowed to repair. However if the pitch mark is caused by another golfer landing his ball on the green after one's  ball comes to rest then, repair is allowed. Is this correct?

No. Ball marks may be repaired on the putting green regardless of who made them or when.

[tigerwoo14]

Thanks.

In rule 16-1c there is mention of old hole plugs and ball marks. What is the significance of using the word old?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by tigerwoo14

Thanks.

In rule 16-1c there is mention of old hole plugs and ball marks. What is the significance of using the word old?

No, the word "or" is used.

An "old hole plug" is quite literally an old "hole" (i.e. the thing you try to hit your ball into, the "cup", the thing with the flagstick stuck in it). When they cut the new hole, they fill the "old" hole with the turf they cut out to make the new hole.

The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball

So you can repair:

• an old hole plug OR
• a ball mark

Make sense?

[colin007]

you know what would be awesome?  retractable spikes that you click your heels together and the spikes retract into the sole while on the green.