The rules of golf are very thorough and in-depth, covering a variety of situations and violations. Golfers abide by not only the rules as laid out by the United States Golf Association but also by an unwritten decorum of common courtesy and etiquette. Replacing your ball is covered in both situations.
Only Requirement
According to the United States Golf Association rules, a golf ball must be marked and lifted when it interferes with another player's line. Besides that, there is no requirement for a golf ball to be marked when it lies on the green. Players can putt continuously from their position on the green until they hole out, as long as it is their turn to play.
Common Courtesy
Although the rules do not require it, most golfers consider it a common courtesy to mark, lift, clean and replace their golf ball every time they are on the putting green. Furthermore, most golfers mark, lift and replace their golf ball before and after every putt. This slows play but helps with precision and accuracy, allowing golfers a chance to line up their putt after their golf ball has been replaced.
Helping Out
Golfers are not required to mark, lift and replace their golf ball when it lies on the green, and in certain situations this could help the average player. If a golf ball lies anywhere on the green and is contacted by another golf shot from off the green, the player must replace the original ball that was at rest on the green. The player hitting the shot from off the green -- that deflected off the original ball on the green --gets to play the ball as it lies.
Odd Request
While a request can be made to have a player replace his ball at any time, there are consequences for hitting the ball if both players lie on the green. If you strike another player's ball while both are on the green, you are subject to a two-stroke penalty. Most players will not ask their opponent to replace their ball on the green while putting for fear of the penalty, although it does happen on rare occasions.
Member Comments