Golf is a sport of subtle features, and the United States Golf Association has Rules of Golf that govern play for even the most unique situations. Although more popular in the United Kingdom than the United States, split greens feature two holes on one green and can confuse even the most experienced players.
Large in Charge
Two flag holes are most commonly referred to as a shared green, or a split green, even though the green might not be literally split in two. Some ancient golf course designers, especially in the United Kingdom, incorporated this style into their design. The most famous example of this is the St. Andrew's Golf Links, widely considered the birthplace of golf, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in Scotland, which governs play in Europe.
Governing Rules
The rules for a dual green are quite simple. There are two flag holes; one hole will play to its flag on one half of the green, while the other hole will play to its flag on the other half of the green. If a ball should roll to the other side of green, either by intent or by accident, the golfer must play the ball as it lies according to the rules of the game produced by the United States Golf Association.
Local Rule
All golfers should play the course as they find it, and play the ball as it lies. These two principles are the foundation for the game. However, some courses elect to adopt a local rule for casual play involving split greens, shared greens and two flag holes on the golf course. In order to prevent damage to the putting surface, players must lift, move and place their ball on the correct side of the green closest to the hole they are playing.
Risky Business
Golfers facing a long putt or chip on a two-flag hole are faced with some interesting dilemmas, all of which are covered by the rules of the game. Typically, two flag hole greens are very large; about two or three times larger than the normal size. For an experienced player, the best play to get the ball close might be to use a lofted wedge and hit the ball in the air. This is allowed under the rules of the game, so long as the shot does not cause undue damage to the green.
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