Simpler Rules: Rule 16

Rule 16: The Putting Green

16-1. General

a. Touching Line of Putt

The line of putt must not be touched except:

(i)    the player may remove a loose impediment(s), provided he does not press anything down;

(ii)   the player may place the club in front of the ball when addressing it, provided he does not press anything down;

(iii)  in measuring – Rule 18-6;

(iv)  in lifting or replacing the ball – Rule 16-1b;

(v)   in pressing down a ball-marker;

(vi)  in repairing an old hole plug(s), ball mark(s) or spike marks on the putting green – Rule 16-1c; and

(vii) in removing a movable obstruction(s)s – Rule 24-1.

(Indicating line for putting on putting green – see Rule 8-2b)

b. Lifting and Cleaning Ball

A ball on the putting green may be lifted and, if desired, cleaned. The position of the ball must be marked before it is lifted and the ball must be replaced (see Rule 20-1).

When another ball is in motion, a ball that might influence the movement of the ball in motion must not be lifted.

c. Repair of Hole Plugs, Ball Marks and Other Damage

The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball or caused by shoe spikes or other damage caused by an outside agency, whether or not the player’s ball lies on the putting green. If a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of the repair, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of repairing such damage. Otherwise, Rule 18 applies.

d. Testing Surface

During the stipulated round, a player must not test the surface of any putting green by rolling a ball, or with his club or hand.

Exception: Between the play of two holes, a player may test the surface of any practice putting green and the putting green of the hole last played, unless the Committee has prohibited such action (see Note 2 to Rule 7-2).

e. Standing Astride or on Line of Putt

The player must not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.

Exception: There is no penalty if such a stance is inadvertently taken to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt or prospective line of putt.

f. Making Stroke While Another Ball in Motion

The player must not make a stroke while another ball is in motion after a stroke from the putting green, except that if a player does so, there is no penalty if it was his turn to play.

(Lifting ball assisting or interfering with play while another ball in motion – see Rule 22)

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 16-1:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

(Position of caddie or partner – see Rule 14-2) (Wrong putting green – see Rule 25-2) 

16-2. Ball Overhanging Hole

When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and an additional ten (10) seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be at rest.

If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke, and must add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole; otherwise, there is no penalty under this Rule.

(Undue delay – see Rule 6-7)