Putt to a players ball in match play

[ktixx]

Is it legal to putt towards a partners ball (away from the obvious line to the hole) in match play in order to help them with the read?  For example, If a par is needed to win the hole and I am putting for bogey, instead of putting towards the hole, I putt towards my partners ball and then putt towards the hole to show them the correct line.  I know that I cannot continue to putt after the shot has been conceded if it helps my partner, but assuming the opponent has not conceded the shot, would this be against the rules?

[Rulesman]

I can't see what rule would be breached. However, before you made your putt the show the line I would expect your opponents would concede the putt.

[Dormie1360]

Actually there is a decision on this and there is a penalty..

30-3f/6

Player Plays Away from Hole to Assist Partner

Q. In a four-ball competition, a player purposely putts away from the hole to a position slightly farther from the hole than the spot where his partner's ball lies and on the same line to the hole as his partner's ball. The player then putts towards the hole, and the roll of his ball is helpful to his partner in determining how much his putt will break, etc. Is such procedure contrary to the Rules?

A. Such procedure is contrary to the spirit of the game. In match play, in equity (Rule 1-4 ), the player should be disqualified for the hole and, since his action assisted his partner's play, the partner should incur the same penalty (Rule 30-3f ).

In stroke play, the player should incur a penalty of two strokes and, under Rule 31-8 , the partner should incur the same penalty.

[Rulesman]

Originally Posted by Dormie1360

Actually there is a decision on this and there is a penalty..

Oops.