keepie ups with putter.

[mat100p]

Hi. Notice quite a lot of pro's playing Keepie up with the ball and putter after finishing out on the green. Is this ok i.e. if he loses control and ball drops to green is he not classed as practice putting or testing greens.?

 

[palindromicbob]

Hi. Notice quite a lot of pro's playing Keepie up with the ball and putter after finishing out on the green. Is this ok i.e. if he loses control and ball drops to green is he not classed as practice putting or testing greens.?

If he's finished out then it's fine either way as you can practice putting after completing a hole unless its a 36 hole comp where this is prohibited.

Even if he isn't finished then it's not likely to be construed as testing the surface anymore than accidentally dropping your ball would be. He should probably quit showing off and just get on with the game.

 

[Smiffy]

Hi. Notice quite a lot of pro's playing Keepie up with the ball and putter after finishing out on the green. Is this ok i.e. if he loses control and ball drops to green is he not classed as practice putting or testing greens.?

No different to one of your playing partners canning a long putt whilst your tending the flag and you pick the ball out, throw it back to him, but it comes up short

 

[rosecott]

If he's finished out then it's fine either way as you can practice putting after completing a hole unless its a 36 hole comp where this is prohibited.

Even if he isn't finished then it's not likely to be construed as testing the surface anymore than accidentally dropping your ball would be. He should probably quit showing off and just get on with the game.

Which rule is that then?

 

[Colin L]

If he's finished out then it's fine either way as you can practice putting after completing a hole unless its a 36 hole comp where this is prohibited.

Even if he isn't finished then it's not likely to be construed as testing the surface anymore than accidentally dropping your ball would be. He should probably quit showing off and just get on with the game.

Not quite, Bob. You are permitted to practise putting after holing out during any round of a competition (Rule 7-2) unless this is prohibited in a Condition of Competition (Note 2 of Rule 7-2). See Decision 7-1b/ http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-07,d7-1b-
You may not practise putting on the course or test the surface of green between rounds of a multi round competition (2nd para of Rule 7-1b) .


As to being not too good at keepie uppie and dropping a ball on the green after holing out in a competition where the COC prohibits practice between holes, I see no problem. The rule prohibits rolling a ball on the green. Rolling is a deliberate action with the intention of testing as opposed to dropping a ball whether from hand or putter which is accidental and without intent. Where there is no COC, you are permitted to practise or test the surface of the green last played anyway.

 

[mat100p]

I didn't think you good practice putting after hole completed in stroke play but you could in match play?
As for keeping ups ball drops to green after hitting putter could be classed as practice putting. Lo

 

[rosecott]

I didn't think you good practice putting after hole completed in stroke play but you could in match play?
As for keeping ups ball drops to green after hitting putter could be classed as practice putting. Lo

In regards to putting on the green just played, there is no distinction between strokeplay and matchplay. As pointed out by Colin, however, the committee can prohibit it in the Conditions of Competition. Perhaps you are confusing it with practising on the course prior to start of play - allowed in matchplay but not in strokeplay.

 

[mat100p]

Ok so you can practice put in any format of play. But most strokeplay amateur or professional introduce a "condition of competition" to stop you. Slow play issue obviously.
So back to my 1st point keepy ups if ball lands on green is practice putting.

 

[rosecott]

Ok so you can practice put in any format of play. But most strokeplay amateur or professional introduce a "condition of competition" to stop you. Slow play issue obviously.
So back to my 1st point keepy ups if ball lands on green is practice putting.

I don't know how you know that most clubs have it as a Condition of Competition. I've been around quite a few years and have never known it in club competitions. The rule which says you may practise putt also says that you must not unduly delay play by doing so.

 

[mat100p]

I don't know how you know that most clubs have it as a Condition of Competition. I've been around quite a few years and have never known it in club competitions. The rule which says you may practise putt also says that you must not unduly delay play by doing so.

I don't know to be truly honest but I quoted Colin L above in regard to condition of competition rule. But I too have been around a while and played to a good standard for 20 + years and have never practice putting nor seen a pro on tv practice putting once completing hole during stroke play. Match play yes.¡¡¡.
But again point was if you can't practice putt keepie ups must be careful doesn't drop ball on green.

 

[Colin L]

You're not convinced then that a ball falling off your putter while idly bouncing it would not be testing the surface of the green? If not, perhaps you could explain why you thing it would be?

 

[duncan mackie]

I don't know to be truly honest but I quoted Colin L above in regard to condition of competition rule. But I too have been around a while and played to a good standard for 20 + years and have never practice putting nor seen a pro on tv practice putting once completing hole during stroke play. Match play yes.¡¡¡.
But again point was if you can't practice putt keepie ups must be careful doesn't drop ball on green.

strangely a reliance on what's observed on TV and what an individual does aren't the best indications of what's permitted under the rules

Firstly the rule on practice during a round (7-2) covers making a 'practice stroke' - which clearly is not the case here. Whilst it does goes on to provide exceptions that include 'Between the play of two holes a player must not make a practice stroke, except that he may practice putting or chipping on or near:
a. the putting green of the hole last played...' and provides for the committee to include a prohibition on this in the COC, it's not practicing so it's irrelevant whether such a COC is in place.

Colin has explained in #5 why the accidentally dropped ball would not constitute testing the surface of the green.