Rule 13: The Putting Green: Your Ball and What You're Allowed to Do
What this is about
The putting green is the place where you try to get the ball into the hole. Special rules apply here. You're allowed to do more things on the green than elsewhere on the golf course.
What you need to do
If your ball lies on the putting green, you may mark it. You do this with a special ball-marker. After that, you may pick up your ball and clean it. Always place the ball back on exactly the same spot.
You may repair damage to the green. Think of a pitch mark (a dent caused by a landing ball) or shoe marks. Use your hand, foot, or a pitchfork (a small tool) for this.
You may remove sand and loose soil without penalty.
Does your ball or ball-marker move accidentally on the green? Don't worry, this doesn't result in a penalty. You must then replace the ball where it lay.
Note: if you improve the green unreasonably, you get a general penalty. That's two penalty strokes.
Common mistake
A common mistake is thinking you're allowed to remove *anything* on the green. For example, you may not pull out weeds. This is seen as improperly improving your line of play.
Example
You've hit a great iron shot and your ball lies perfectly on the green. There's a small mud spot on it. You may mark your ball, pick it up, clean it, and put it back. You also notice an old pitch mark right next to your ball. You're allowed to repair this neatly with your pitchfork.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
13.1 Actions allowed or required on putting greens
13.1a When the ball is on the putting green
A ball is on the putting green when any part of the ball touches the putting green or is above any part of the putting green.
13.1b Marking, lifting and cleaning
A player may mark, lift and clean their ball on the putting green. The ball must be replaced on its original spot. The player may also repair the putting green: pitch marks, shoe damage and other damage may be repaired. This now applies to all types of damage on the putting green.
13.1c Improving conditions on the putting green
On the putting green, you're allowed to do the following:
- Repair damage to the putting green (pitch marks, shoe damage, tool marks)
- Remove sand and loose soil from the putting green
- Remove loose impediments
But you may not do anything that tests the surface of the putting green, such as rolling a ball across it or scraping the surface.
13.1d When the ball or ball-marker moves on the putting green
If the ball or ball-marker moves on the putting green due to natural forces (wind, water), the ball is replaced on its original spot. If the ball moves after the player has already lifted and replaced it, the ball must be played from its new spot.
13.1e Deliberately not holing putts
A player must not deliberately agree not to hole a putt. In match play, players may concede a putt or hole to each other. In stroke play, the ball must always be holed out.
13.2 The flagstick
13.2a Leaving the flagstick in the hole
You can choose to leave the flagstick in the hole while making a stroke. If the ball hits the flagstick and falls into the hole, it counts as holed. If the ball hits the flagstick and doesn't fall into the hole, you must play the ball as it lies. There's no penalty if the ball hits the flagstick, whether it's left in the hole or not.
13.2b Removing the flagstick from the hole
The player may also have the flagstick removed from the hole before making a stroke, or may ask someone else to attend the flagstick (hold it and remove it after the stroke is made).
13.2c Ball resting against the flagstick
If a ball ends up in the hole but is leaning against the flagstick, you may remove the flagstick. If the ball then falls into the hole, it counts as holed with the previous stroke. If the ball doesn't fall into the hole when the flagstick is removed, it must be placed on the edge of the hole.