rulefan
Tour Winner
A puddle near the hole is often a bonus target for a pitch or approach. It means the ball won't roll too far away.
Puddle on the green
- Thread starter BobbyP
- Start date
chico
Club Champion
So could you legally use a puddle next to the hole as a break so to speak. Puddle a foot from hole 45 foot putt, just aim for the puddle finish 12" from hole then take relief?
Colin L
Tour Winner
Legal, yes, but bizarre. I'd prefer to take relief in the first instance and finish in the hole.
Swinglowandslow
Well-known member
This puzzles me a bit. The .."unless not available.."
I say this because Jim8flog speaks of taking relief in the rough. If that is right, then complete relief must always be available, must it not? There must be somewhere dry back from the green?
So, must you take relief off the green?
rulie
Head Pro
Here is what Rule 16.1d Relief for Ball on Putting Green says, (note the second bullet point). If the player wants to take relief, he or she must take complete relief. Maximum available relief is only available if there is no such nearest point of complete relief. The player is not given a choice of which relief to take.
Relief for Ball on Putting Green
If a player’s ball is on the putting green and there is interference by an abnormal course condition on the course, the player may take free relief by placing the original ball or another ball on the spot of the nearest point of complete relief, using the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.
Relief for Ball on Putting Green
If a player’s ball is on the putting green and there is interference by an abnormal course condition on the course, the player may take free relief by placing the original ball or another ball on the spot of the nearest point of complete relief, using the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.
- The nearest point of complete relief must be either on the putting green or in the general area.
- If there is no such nearest point of complete relief, the player may still take this free relief by using the point of maximum available relief as the reference point, which must be either on the putting green or in the general area.
Colin L
Tour Winner
There is no point of complete relief if the hole is surrounded by temporary water. In those circumstances your point of relief is where you have a line to the hole through the least amount of water.
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
No it isn’t……it’s stopping play until the Committee provide a solution…..
chico
Club Champion
Sink a lot of 45 foot putts. ?
rulie
Head Pro
Or players insist that they do! Some Committees may be negligent or absent.
Colin L
Tour Winner
No, but I'd go for the chance of doing so over deliberately stopping my ball in a puddle 12 inches from the hole and the risk that taking relief would mean putting from further away from the hole.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
Our committees are all made up of volunteer members who may or may not be playing or even at the course. You cannot compare what goes on at club level to what goes on at an organised event.
Sometimes even those available have to take in to consideration all the players that may have finished their round already and committee members who sometimes act in hope rather than reality.
Swinglowandslow
Well-known member
Yes, of course. I must admit I was visualising the ball on the green resting in water. Now, where did I put that thinking cap?
