Tuesday 16th March 2010

Spring Course Rules

Local Rule:

If you hit your ball into any of the ‘Spinneys’ areas, a penalty shot is incurred and you must drop back to where your ball entered the area.

Questions & Answers:

Can I Repair Spike Marks in the Line of my putt?

Is it permissible under the rules to repair spike marks or other similar problems with the green in the line of a putt?

No, you may not repair spike marks or tap down any other sprigs of grass on the green that you fear might affect your putt’s roll. You are allowed to repair ballmarks (and should always do so).

“One of the fundamental principles imbued in the Rules of Golf is that you play the course as you find it.” If there’s a huge sprig of grass between your ball and the cup, well, those are the breaks.

It is encouraged that all players, after finishing a hole, tamp down any stray blades of grass that they might encounter as they leave the green.

What happens if you Try to Putt Out a Conceded Putt – and Miss?

So you concede a putt to your opponent. But the opponent jabs at the ball anyway, and the ball misses the cup. Has your opponent just cost himself a stroke?

Nice try.

The missed “putt” doesn’t count. A conceded putt is a conceded putt. Once one player informs another that the putt is conceded, that player’s play of the hole is over and his or her score is in the books.

Note that conceded putts are only allowed in match play competitions.

Can I keep Playing my Provisional Ball even if I find my First ball?

The answer is no, of course. Once the original ball is found you are obligated under the rules to continue playing it, no matter how bad a spot it may be in when you find it. And no matter how good that provisional shot was. (Exception: If the original ball is found out of bounds, you’d keep playing the provisional.)

Even if you were willing to take a lost-ball penalty and continue with the provisional, you may not do so. The original ball must be played if found. You also can’t play the provisional even if you are willing to declare the original ball unplayable.