Repairing pitchmarks when ball not on the green

Johnny_Fontane

Just wanted to clear something up.

was playing matchplay yesterday and opponent pitched on green (big pitchmark) before settling in rough at back. pitchmark was sort of in line with the flag so he went and repaired it.

I didnt say anything but thought that if you were off the green you couldnt repair your own pitchmark?

SWAR

You must be on the green to repair the pitch mark AFAIK.

PhilipMarlowe

Repair a pitchmark (or old hole plug) on the green at ANY time.

PhilipMarlowe

Rule 16-(c)
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, 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 an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball. Otherwise, Rule 18 applies.
Any other damage to the putting green must not be repaired if it might assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole.

Sandwich

Licksy is correct. You may, and should, repair any pitchmarks that are on the green. Who hit the ball or when, or where your ball is has no bearing.
You should not repair ANY other green damage until it will not affect you groups play - but you should when it wont, spikes, scrapes, hole damage etc.

Note, you may not repair pitch marks (or divots etc) if the mark is off the green and doing so would improve your situation. eg. a pitch mark on the apron a foot off the green, your ball is outside it and you want to putt - you must not repair it until after you have made your stroke.

Johnny_Fontane

excellent work guys - its why I love this site. I feel glad now that I didnt say anything!

SWAR

Licksy wrote: »

Rule 16-(c)
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, 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 an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball. Otherwise, Rule 18 applies.
Any other damage to the putting green must not be repaired if it might assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole.

Thanks for that. Do you know if this has always been the case?

I remember playing senior cup about 4 - 5 years back and was in a similar scenario. I went to repair the pitch mark and my opponent said I wasn't entitled to (hence why I thought you weren't). He also said he was being nice to me by telling me before I did it!!

PhilipMarlowe

I'm not sure if is a rule that has been changed or not but I do know it's one that people often get wrong now anyway... I heard it from a few guys while watching an interclub match... comments like "he can't do that". So it's a(nother) rule that plenty of people aren't sure on.

Sandwich

I think people mix it up with the rule on spike marks, scuffs, other unevenness - which you cannot repair (remember Langer in Kiawah:().

If in any doubt whether it is a pitch mark or not, you are supposed to get confirmation from your opponent/playing partners, that it indeed is, and that you can therefore repair it.

soundsham

I think the rule was that you could fix a mark made by your own ball but not anyone else's when off the green.......open to correction,but maybe thatys why it came into your head, either that or it may be different for pro's

chemicalfred

Can you remove stuff from your line when putting?

Sandwich

chemicalfred wrote: »

Can you remove stuff from your line when putting?

Yes.

PhilipMarlowe

Depends somewhat on what the 'stuff' is.
Water (dew) can't be touched but leaves, twigs, sand etc can be brushed away (without obviously testing the surface).