Is the golf hole size caved in?

[wowzer]

I know the rule that you cannot repair a golf hole, unless a ball mark has clearly damaged the hole or if the hole is materially smaller than the regulation size. However, there does not seem to be an easy way to measure the hole size. Some of my local muni's don't cut new holes every day...sometimes, it seems like they don't cut a new hole every 2-3 weeks! Now, the trouble is that the hole size seems much smaller than the plastic cup. In fact, on many holes, I couldn't even see the white plastic cup when looking directly down.

There does not seem to be a tool to measure the size of the cup. What does materially affected mean? Is 0.25 inch materially affected? If you lip out as much as I do, I think 0.25 inch seems to be materially affecting my putts.

Since there is zero chance of the course managers to come out to fix the cup--and there are no grounds keepers nearby, how do you repair the cup to the proper size so that you may putt to a regulation cup? I know the final answer is to find a better golf course, but sometimes that option is not available to me. 

Just curious.

Thanks.

[SavvySwede]

Not much you can do. Except maybe borrow a cup setter and reinsert it to push the sides out.

[bkuehn1952]

I noticed the holes on Sunday at a local course seemed a touch smaller than a freshly cut and "painted" hole one might find in a tournament or at a better maintained course. There was definitely a bit of over hang around the edge.  I think you just play the course and figure your handicap will benefit from the "smaller" hole.  When you play a match on a course with freshly cut holes, they will seem "too big."

[wowzer]

16 hours ago, SavvySwede said:

Not much you can do. Except maybe borrow a cup setter and reinsert it to push the sides out.

 

Oh...that looks nice. I may invest in one. The game is hard enough w/out smaller holes.

[Buckeyebowman]

Yes! I'm sure some of the holes on whatever course you're playing look "caved in" because they are! These are because of old dudes with bad backs who can't bend over any more, "raking" the ball out of the hole with their putters, thus caving in the rim of the hole! And the longer the hole is cut in the same place, the worse it gets.

I know it's in violation of the rules, but I'll take a ball and tap the inside rim of the hole with it to try to get it back somewhere towards normal! Nobody complains, believe me!

[RickK]

On 6/12/2016 at 9:50 PM, Buckeyebowman said:

Yes! I'm sure some of the holes on whatever course you're playing look "caved in" because they are! These are because of old dudes with bad backs who can't bend over any more, "raking" the ball out of the hole with their putters, thus caving in the rim of the hole! And the longer the hole is cut in the same place, the worse it gets.

I know it's in violation of the rules, but I'll take a ball and tap the inside rim of the hole with it to try to get it back somewhere towards normal! Nobody complains, believe me!

It is not just "old dudes" who take their putter and rake the ball out of the hole.  I have seen just as many "young bucks" doing it as I do old dudes.  Only bunch I never see doing it is the ladies.  

If I find a hole that has been damaged, I will do my best to try and fix it AFTER everyone has putted out. 

[Buckeyebowman]

Yep, that's when I do it too! And I'm 63 and can still bend and pick a ball out of the bottom of the cup, but I don't have back problems, knock on wood! They used to have those "suction cup" things that would attach to the end of your putter grip to enable you to get your ball out of the hole. Problem is, they won't fit on the new fangled "fat" grips!

[Lihu]

On 6/19/2016 at 7:43 PM, RickK said:

It is not just "old dudes" who take their putter and rake the ball out of the hole.  I have seen just as many "young bucks" doing it as I do old dudes.  Only bunch I never see doing it is the ladies.  

If I find a hole that has been damaged, I will do my best to try and fix it AFTER everyone has putted out. 

 

3 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Yep, that's when I do it too! And I'm 63 and can still bend and pick a ball out of the bottom of the cup, but I don't have back problems, knock on wood! They used to have those "suction cup" things that would attach to the end of your putter grip to enable you to get your ball out of the hole. Problem is, they won't fit on the new fangled "fat" grips!

Yeah, all the old golfers I know use the suction cup or the plastic gripper things.

I've never seen an old and experienced player scoop with a putter.

[Buckeyebowman]

21 hours ago, Lihu said:

 

Yeah, all the old golfers I know use the suction cup or the plastic gripper things.

I've never seen an old and experienced player scoop with a putter.

Oh, I've seen plenty of them! Some of these guys look like they should be in a hospital bed in traction! But, they're out on a golf course trying to play. God bless them, but I wish they didn't break down the rim of the hole! For instance, the owner of the course I where I play in a league, is a member in that league. He is a rather large, corpulent person, but rumored to have been a pretty good player in his day. He has a way of getting the ball out of the hole with his putter head that does not break down the rim! I wish he could teach that to everybody!

[wowzer]

I looked into the cup setter...they cost $70+. Yikes!