Putting out from the trees

[Yosser]

This might be more of a rules question. Recently I found myself tight against a tree after hooking it left, so its basically some sort of left handed shot to get back onto the fairway. The best alternative in my view was to use the end of the putter and play the shot croquet style. However I'm aware that you are not allowed to do this on the green and wasn't sure if you could use that method in normal play, so putted it left handed and manged to get back in play. Obviously this is just one of those things about choosing the right shot for the circumstances but I've never practiced that shot before, nor do I practice left handed chipping, I know some Pro's do but I wouldn't even know how to hold the club! It all started me thinking about things such as...

1. Is it legal to play "croquet" style between the legs?
2. Have people "putted" out from the trees?
3. Can you chip left handed? - Do you even practice the shot?

 

[diablo333]

I i am Stuck I usually pick out my lowest club 5 iron or 1 iron almost scoop it out. Not sure if aloud or not.

 

[el marko]

Pretty sure vijay singh did this and made an eagle.

 

[Old Skier]

I i am Stuck I usually pick out my lowest club 5 iron or 1 iron almost scoop it out. Not sure if aloud or not.

Not sure I understand the expression "scope it out". However using one of your longer irons to get back into play is my preferred option.

 

[Yosser]

Not sure I understand the expression "scope it out". However using one of your longer irons to get back into play is my preferred option.

Can you play them left handed? I guess I'm talking about this sort of shot:-

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tour...ge/2012/02/tiger-woods-left-handed-shots.html

 

[Ethan]

You can play a putter from the trees, a driver from a bunker or a sand wedge off a tee is you wish, so long as you properly strike the ball and not spoon or scrape it. You can also hit the ball off the nose of the putter, although I think you are not allowed to stand astride the ball.

 

[diablo333]

Not sure I understand the expression "scope it out". However using one of your longer irons to get back into play is my preferred option.

usually don't have more than a couple of inches behind the ball to swing so you would be almost scooping the ball. As Ethan said it could be debateable as your nit stricking the ball fully.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I i am Stuck I usually pick out my lowest club 5 iron or 1 iron almost scoop it out. Not sure if aloud or not.

"Scooping" is not allowed. If you can't make a proper swing at it, the ball is unplayable

 

[MashieNiblick]

I believe the Rule prohibiting standing astride the line of play to make a stroke only applies if your ball is on the green. I used to think it was prohibited totally but as far as I am aware it is just covered under Rule 16 - The Putting Green - which says

16-1...

e. Standing Astride or on Line of Putt
The player must not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.
Exception: There is no penalty if the stance is inadvertently taken on or astride the line of putt (or an extension of that line behind the ball) or is taken to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt or prospective line of putt.​

Just double checked it in Golf Rules Illustrated and it helpfully gives the example of K J Choi putting croquet style from the fringe in the 2010 Open as being within the Rules.

So you can play croquet style if you are off the green.

 

[Foxholer]

You can play a putter from the trees, a driver from a bunker or a sand wedge off a tee is you wish, so long as you properly strike the ball and not spoon or scrape it. You can also hit the ball off the nose of the putter, although I think you are not allowed to stand astride the ball.

Standing astride is only against the Rules on the Putting Green.

Scooping as such is not allowed, but a proper strike made with a scooping action is ok.

Back of the putter or an iron (left-handed) is fine also.

I've used the nose of a putter to get through longish rough just off the fringe as well - pops out quite well.

 

[Yosser]

I believe the Rule prohibiting standing astride the line of play to make a stroke only applies if your ball is on the green. I used to think it was prohibited totally but as far as I am aware it is just covered under Rule 16 - The Putting Green - which says

16-1...

e. Standing Astride or on Line of Putt
The player must not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.
Exception: There is no penalty if the stance is inadvertently taken on or astride the line of putt (or an extension of that line behind the ball) or is taken to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt or prospective line of putt.​

Just double checked it in Golf Rules Illustrated and it helpfully gives the example of K J Choi putting croquet style from the fringe in the 2010 Open as being within the Rules.

So you can play croquet style if you are off the green.

Thanks for clarifying that. So wellying the ball out with the end of a putter whilst standing astride the line might provide a better option when there is little or no swing available. In fact it may even be less risky than an awkward chip where you might risk duffing it or disturbing foliage.