KenL
Tour Rookie
Are these allowed?
Apologies if discussed before.
Apologies if discussed before.
Hole liners?
- Thread starter KenL
- Start date
Neilds
Assistant Pro
They can be used but must be at least 1” below surface so those are not good.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
The rules say they should be at least 1 inch below the top of the hole
But think they were still allowed during wet conditions if the ground conditions required them
And when they were no longer required they had to be removed or be at least an inch from the top
KenL
Tour Rookie
It’s not rained for months. But, just a fun game so no problem. Didn’t see any bounce outs.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Then they need to be removed if the ground conditions don’t require them
KenL
Tour Rookie
It might be that the GK thinks they will crumble?
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
They shouldn’t do now
Article on them
This ‘banned’ golf hole accessory has been handed a reprieve!
It seems the game’s governing bodies have had a change of heart about plastic hole stabilising rings and the World Handicap System
www.nationalclubgolfer.com
salfordlad
Well-known member
Historically, there was a different approach on either side of the ditch. Happily, they have gotten much closer together.
Here's a Q/A that the USGA published in 2022, note the 2023 Rules updated 11.1b Exception 2 to 11.1b(2).
QUESTION: Many courses, for protection of the hole, set a liner ring at the top of the cup, setting them just below ground level.Is the status of a hole liner the same as a movable obstruction?
If a ball is deflected by a liner that is sticking out, the stroke is cancelled (exception 2). (11.1b/1 refers to that as well)
Now, can the player push the ring back in? Can the player remove the ring from the hole, since it is an MO? If yes, can the player remove the ring any time (whether or not it is sticking out), as with movable obstructions? Or would any other rule limit the same?
USGA RESPONSE: The status of the beauty ring would be the same as the hole liner, so if it deflects a ball because it is above the surface of the putting green, exception 2 to Rule 11.1b would apply. However, hole liners are unique in that players should not remove them from the hole. If a hole liner is above the surface of the putting green and can easily be replaced in position, a player should do so. If there's a doubt, the player should involve the Committee just as they would when evaluating a damaged hole.
Here's a Q/A that the USGA published in 2022, note the 2023 Rules updated 11.1b Exception 2 to 11.1b(2).
QUESTION: Many courses, for protection of the hole, set a liner ring at the top of the cup, setting them just below ground level.Is the status of a hole liner the same as a movable obstruction?
If a ball is deflected by a liner that is sticking out, the stroke is cancelled (exception 2). (11.1b/1 refers to that as well)
Now, can the player push the ring back in? Can the player remove the ring from the hole, since it is an MO? If yes, can the player remove the ring any time (whether or not it is sticking out), as with movable obstructions? Or would any other rule limit the same?
USGA RESPONSE: The status of the beauty ring would be the same as the hole liner, so if it deflects a ball because it is above the surface of the putting green, exception 2 to Rule 11.1b would apply. However, hole liners are unique in that players should not remove them from the hole. If a hole liner is above the surface of the putting green and can easily be replaced in position, a player should do so. If there's a doubt, the player should involve the Committee just as they would when evaluating a damaged hole.
