Pin location rules?

[CVG]

I played a friendly match yesterday. My course is incredibly hard just now, with the lack of rain etc. So although a parkland course we have to play as a links course, playing short and running the ball on to the green.

However on about 5 holes the green keeper had cut the holes within 6 feet of the front of the green, obviously this made it quite difficult to get the ball close. Or you had to putt across the fringe onto the green. We both felt that some were very unfriendly (being diplomatic!) and others were almost unplayable.

My question is this, are there any rules about where holes can or can't be cut on greens?

 

[Robobum]

Almost certain that there isn't any ruling governing pin placements.

Common sense normally prevails taking into account the type of event and the skill level of those involved. Also potential weather conditions number of people playing etc.

There may have been a manitenance reason to have the pins at the front (cut down on traffic across a different area of the green)

 

[bigslice]

there is sit rules for pin positions. distance from edge of green distance from slopes on greens etc. or so im told. im sure there is a greenkeeper on here

 

[Region3]

There are 'guidelines' on the R&A site if I remember right.

Along the lines of...

not within about 5' from the edge of the green
not within a couple of feet of a severe slope
preferably having 2-3' of flattish ground around it.

 

[HTL]

Yes there are rules. I played with 3 junior green keepers from Wentworth a few months ago round Ascot where they are members. They had all done a BTEC qualification in green keeping and knew their stuff. They explained some of them to me, however, I’ve forgotten the majority of them and the details but Region3 has the basic understanding spot on :-


not within about 5' from the edge of the green
not within a couple of feet of a severe slope
preferably having 2-3' of flattish ground around it.

There must be the full details online.

 

[JustOne]

Played a medal once where 8 of the front 9 flags were right at the back, and 6 of the back 9.

2 middle, 2 front and 14 at the back, nasty! Needless to say I didn't make the buffer.

 

[Robobum]

Played a medal once where 8 of the front 9 flags were right at the back, and 6 of the back 9.

2 middle, 2 front and 14 at the back, nasty! Needless to say I didn't make the buffer.

Wasn't the pro-am 4somes @ Burford was it?? To stretch the course to it's maximum, 16 flags within 8 foot of the back fringe............and 2 flags tucked in over front traps on long par 4s!!

No rules to where they are cut. Pro tours reduced there "guidleline figures" from the green edge to make things tougher for the pros.

So many factors to consider that making rules would be pointless.

A pin can be cut on a slope on a slower green but maybe not on a faster one. If the ball stops and remains in position when putting uphill to that pin then it is a reasonable place to cut it, if however the ball does not stop and rolls back then it would probably be classed as too severe.

 

[alan_h]

Try the following. USGA but would imagine in the R&A have similar recommendations.

http://www.usga.org/workarea/linkit.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=11384

 

[SyR]

When I was a greenkeeper we kept them 1 flags length from any green edge and 1 flags length from any severe slope.
Also we had 6 easy, 6 medium and 6 hard pins per course.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know Sand Martins have a policy in WInter if they can get onto proper greens at all that they cut the majority of the flags within 5 feet of the front of the green to let members still have the benefit of proper greens but allowing the majority of the green to rest. I knew there were guidelines regarding a distance from the edge but never knew there should be a flat area around the hole. Makes sense I guess

 

[Leftie]

You might find that because of the current very dry conditions being experienced, then the green keeping staff are trying to protect the more vulnerable parts of the greens.

If it makes it a bit tougher, so what? It's the same for everyone playing the course. Enjoy the challenge.

 

[USER1999]

I think that green keepers often have a sense of humour regarding pin placement. Some of them are often impossible to get anywhere near, even when putting.

The only rule I know is the pin has to beon the short stuff.