Clearing debris from your line of putt......

[Smiffy]

Had a bit of a disagreement on the course yesterday when it came to the above.
For years I have moved bits of twig, leaves, lumps of dirt etc. from my line of my putt using the back of my putter, just gently brushing them away or picking them up with the back of it.
My playing partner accused me of breaking the rules by doing so.
Now as far as I was concerned, this was perfectly permissible under the rules of golf as long as I wasn't "pressing anything down" or testing the surface.
Has anyone got the definitive answer because checking the rule book seems to indicate that I have been doing nothing wrong.

 

[FourPutt]

Decision 23-1/1 states:

"Loose impediments may be removed by any means, except that, in removing loose impediments on the line of putt, the player must not press anything down (Rule 16-1a)."

As long as you are not pressing anything down on your line of putt, you're all good.

 

[Smiffy]

Decision 23-1/1 states:

"Loose impediments may be removed by any means, except that, in removing loose impediments on the line of putt, the player must not press anything down (Rule 16-1a)."

As long as you are not pressing anything down on your line of putt, you're all good.

That's what I told him. But he was adamant that I was breaking a rule by testing the surface, citing the fact that a pro got disqualified a while ago for moving goose shite (or something similar) off of his line with the head of his putter.
I am confident I am right...but have been wrong before

 

[FourPutt]

Only thing worse than someone who doesn't know the rules is someone who doesn't know the rules but thinks they do and calls penalties on people for no reason.

Course, I could be wrong too, but I can't find a rule or decision that sheds any more light than the one above.

 

[bobmac]

I think there used to be a rule which meant you couldn't touch the line of your putt with your putter.
But as fourputt says, rule 23-1 FAQs no.1 settles that arguement. So, I have to concede, on this occassion, you were correct

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=23

 

[FourPutt]

Rule 16/1 states - The line of putt must not be touched except:
(i) the player may remove loose impediments, 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 old hole plugs or ball marks on the putting green – Rule 16-1c; and
(vii) in removing movable obstructions – Rule 24-1.
(Indicating line for putting on putting green – see Rule 8-2b)

Still nothing there about not using a club. Apparently, following some googling, up til 2004 the rule specified that you HAD to use your hand or club to remove loose impediments from your line of putt, but this was removed, suggesting that it relaxed the rule to allow other things, like a hat or glove to be used. I can't see anything to show that clearing the line with your putter is against the rules, assuming you don't press anything down.

 

[FourPutt]

Ah, cheers Bob, forgot about the FAQ bit on there!

 

[bobmac]

Ah, cheers Bob, forgot about the FAQ bit on there!

Knob

I'm here all week

 

[Smiffy]

I've just text him to tell him that he was wrong.
He's still saying he thinks I'm wrong.

 

[bobmac]

I've just text him to tell him that he was wrong.
He's still saying he thinks I'm wrong.

Did you send him this link ?
Couldn't be more clear

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=23

 

[Leftie]

Smiffy.

Carry a rule book with you and when anyone queries what you are doing, hand them the book and ask them to show you the rule. Works a treat

 

[Smiffy]

Smiffy.

Carry a rule book with you and when anyone queries what you are doing, hand them the book and ask them to show you the rule. Works a treat

It was Khalid. He can't read English, only Punjabi

 

[bobmac]

Smiffy.

Carry a rule book with you and when anyone queries what you are doing, hand them the book and ask them to show you the rule. Works a treat

Ooooyyyyy, that's my idea.

It does work though.
Too many people insist on rulings they have heard from other people without checking themselves first.

Jan was once told she couldnt address the ball in the teeing ground with her front foot in front of the tee marker

 

[Smiffy]

What about if you repair a pitch mark on the line of your putt? Bearing in mind that the rules state you cannot press anything down, how are you supposed to repair a pitch mark properly???

 

[bobmac]

16-1c

 

[MashieNiblick]

Only thing worse than someone who doesn't know the rules is someone who doesn't know the rules but thinks they do and calls penalties on people for no reason.

Too many people insist on rulings they have heard from other people without checking themselves first.

Totally agree and they are always so sure of it. They don't even say, "I've heard differently, but I might be wrong, so let's check". Usually happens 3 or 4 times a year. Not necessarily bad guys but they just need to be a bit more circumspect especially when it is so easy to check. Amazing how many people are actually surprised when I say I've got a rule book in my bag.

 

[richart]

Too old to bend down and pick up the debris like the rest of us ?

 

[USER1999]

Too worried that while bending over something might leak out?

 

[viscount17]

sometimes you just have to give up clearing your line of putt at our place, life isn't long enough. a leaf blower would be hard pressed to do the job and that's before you get to things of a very sticky nature.