Patting down a putting line

[Fontane007]

Was watching European PGA today and noticed Bezuidenhout using his putter on the 18th green to pat down the ground on his putting line to the hole. Thought this was illegal?

 

[fundy]

Was watching European PGA today and noticed Bezuidenhout using his putter on the 18th green to pat down the ground on his putting line to the hole. Thought this was illegal?

Used to be, fine now under the new rules

 

[rulefan]

See 13.1c
https://www.randa.org/en/rog/2019/pages/the-rules-of-golf

 

[bobmac]

When I first saw this change I pictured golfers tapping down every mark on every putt on every green.
Has anyone noticed this new rule slowing down play?

 

[rulefan]

Many of the pros were doing it already and blind eyes were turned

 

[bobmac]

Many of the pros were doing it already and blind eyes were turned

I meant at your own course

 

[Colin L]

Bryson Dechambeau has probably commissioned someone to design a mini roller to speed up the gardening process.

 

[jim8flog]

I watched the same incident and had the same thoughts. He appeared to pat down nearly the entire line between his ball and the hole.

I thought you are allowed to repair damage but this appeared to be doing more than that.

 

[Colin L]

Apart from unnecessary delay and the few exceptions as to what you can repair, the only other limitation I can think of is you that can't make a channel to the hole.

 

[robinthehood]

When I first saw this change I pictured golfers tapping down every mark on every putt on every green.
Has anyone noticed this new rule slowing down play?

No I've not noticed anyone doing anymore repairs than normal.

 

[rulefan]

I watched the same incident and had the same thoughts. He appeared to pat down nearly the entire line between his ball and the hole.

I thought you are allowed to repair damage but this appeared to be doing more than that.

“Damage on the putting green ” means any damage caused by a person or outside influence, such as:

• Ball marks, shoe damage (such as spike marks) and scrapes or indentations caused by equipment or a flagstick,
• Old hole plugs, turf plugs, seams of cut turf and scrapes or indentations from maintenance tools or vehicles,
• Animal tracks or hoof indentations, and
• Embedded objects (such as a stone, acorn or tee).

 

[BubbaP]

I've noticed that when the pros miss a short 'un, or just catch the lip, they often still go to tap down marks after. Guess just part of the pro mindset to defer blame to outside influences.

 

[clubchamp98]

I noticed this at my course .
Our greens are ironed before a comp and any little scuff stands out a lot.
It’s a good change I think especially if someone in front is wearing metal spikes.

 

[jim8flog]

“Damage on the putting green ” means any damage caused by a person or outside influence, such as:

• Ball marks, shoe damage (such as spike marks) and scrapes or indentations caused by equipment or a flagstick,
• Old hole plugs, turf plugs, seams of cut turf and scrapes or indentations from maintenance tools or vehicles,
• Animal tracks or hoof indentations, and
• Embedded objects (such as a stone, acorn or tee).

Which is why I would have queried it if I was a referee watching what he did.

 

[duncan mackie]

Which is why I would have queried it if I was a referee watching what he did.

If it was on camera it will be being discussed....it was such actions by a few top tour players that resulted in the trial of a LR on the Tour permitting the specific repair of spike marks to be withdrawn!

 

[rulefan]

If it was on camera it will be being discussed....it was such actions by a few top tour players that resulted in the trial of a LR on the Tour permitting the specific repair of spike marks to be withdrawn!

When/where was this?

 

[jim8flog]

Friday, round 2 at the Swiss Open final hole for him, from memory, so either the 9th or the 18th.

 

[rulefan]

Sorry Jim.I was asking Duncan about the trial of the LR

 

[duncan mackie]

When/where was this?

It was some time ago. If I was estimating I would say it was in the 80's.

 

[rulefan]

It was some time ago. If I was estimating I would say it was in the 80's.

Well before my golfing time