Golf 1-0-1 contributor Brian Tan is a member of
the Greens Committee, and oversees Rules and
Tournaments at NSRCC. When he’s not busy
officiating as a Rules Official, he can be found
contributing balls to NSRCC’s penalty areas.
Golf 101 – Putting Greens
In this article, we will cover a few ruling situations on and around putting greens that have been revised
with the latest changes to the Rules of Golf that make the game less punitive.
Care for Putting Greens
• Ball marks, spike marks and other damage on the putting green can be repaired.
• Sand and loose soil can be removed from the putting green (but not anywhere else on the
course).
• These two actions above can occur whether the ball is on or off the putting green.
• There is no penalty for merely touching your line of play on the green, as long as you do nothing
to improve it.
Ball Moved
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There is no penalty for accidentally moving your ball or marker on the putting green. Just put the
ball or the marker back where it was, and continue playing.
If a ball has not yet been marked and is moved by natural forces, the ball must be played from
its new spot.
If a ball has been marked, lifted and replaced and is then moved by natural forces, the ball must
be replaced on its original spot.
Edging Grooves in NSRCC
In NSRCC’s Local Rules, edging grooves around the aprons or fringes of putting greens are deemed
Ground Under Repair. If a ball lies in or touches a groove or a groove interferes with the area of intended
swing (like can’t putt normally), relief is afforded.
• When the ball is not on the putting green, you get a free drop (Rule 16.b).
• When the ball is on the putting green, you get to place the ball (Rule 16.1d)
• If you are merely standing on an edging groove, there is no relief.