nil1121
Head Pro
If you are just off the green and want to putt but there is worm mounds in the way just on the edge of the green, can you flattern them ?
question worm mounds
- Thread starter nil1121
- Start date
StrangelyBrown
Tour Winner
No, I think it's a 2 shot penalty if you do.
R&A Rules Explorer isn't working for me just now but someone will be along in a minute to confirm
R&A Rules Explorer isn't working for me just now but someone will be along in a minute to confirm
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
A worm cast is a "loose impediment" and these may be removed anywhere on the course providing they are not:
fixed or growing,
solidly embedded, or
adhering to the ball.
Decision 23-1/1 Means by Which Loose Impediments May Be Removed states
"Q. Worm casts are loose impediments. By what means may such casts be removed?
A. Loose impediments may be removed by any means, except that, in removing loose impediments on the line of putt, the player must not press anything down (Rule 16-1a)."
So the short answer is no, you can't flatten it, but you can pick it up or brush it away.
fixed or growing,
solidly embedded, or
adhering to the ball.
Decision 23-1/1 Means by Which Loose Impediments May Be Removed states
"Q. Worm casts are loose impediments. By what means may such casts be removed?
A. Loose impediments may be removed by any means, except that, in removing loose impediments on the line of putt, the player must not press anything down (Rule 16-1a)."
So the short answer is no, you can't flatten it, but you can pick it up or brush it away.
rosecott
Money List Winner
[FONT=arial !important]23-1[/FONT]. Relief
Except when both the [FONT=arial !important]loose impedimenthttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Definitions/#Loose-Impediments[/FONT] and the ball lie in or touch the same [FONT=arial !important]hazardhttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Definitions/#Hazards[/FONT], any [FONT=arial !important]loose impedimenthttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Definitions/#Loose-Impediments[/FONT] may be removed without penalty.
23-1/1
Means by Which Loose Impediments May Be Removed
Q.Worm casts are loose impediments. By what means may such casts be removed?
A.Loose impediments may be removed by any means, except that, in removing loose impediments on the line of putt, the player must not press anything down (Rule [FONT=arial !important]16-1ahttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-16/#16-1a).[/FONT]
Except when both the [FONT=arial !important]loose impedimenthttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Definitions/#Loose-Impediments[/FONT] and the ball lie in or touch the same [FONT=arial !important]hazardhttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Definitions/#Hazards[/FONT], any [FONT=arial !important]loose impedimenthttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Definitions/#Loose-Impediments[/FONT] may be removed without penalty.
23-1/1
Means by Which Loose Impediments May Be Removed
Q.Worm casts are loose impediments. By what means may such casts be removed?
A.Loose impediments may be removed by any means, except that, in removing loose impediments on the line of putt, the player must not press anything down (Rule [FONT=arial !important]16-1ahttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-16/#16-1a).[/FONT]
nil1121
Head Pro
thanks for the replies.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
Isn't sand treated the same then - I'm confused
rosecott
Money List Winner
Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere.
Foxholer
Blackballed
As he is not on putting green, 'line of putt' doesn't apply.
Another of those iffy areas imo. At what point, if ever, does a worm cast, defined as a loose impediment so can be removed, but is not actually 'loose', become merely loose soil - which cannot be removed (except on the putting green).
BTW. Doesn't matter whether the worm cast is touching the green or not.
Pretty sure Rory's penalty in Abu Dhabi will make the Rules guys have another look at this area - for 2016!
Another of those iffy areas imo. At what point, if ever, does a worm cast, defined as a loose impediment so can be removed, but is not actually 'loose', become merely loose soil - which cannot be removed (except on the putting green).
BTW. Doesn't matter whether the worm cast is touching the green or not.
Pretty sure Rory's penalty in Abu Dhabi will make the Rules guys have another look at this area - for 2016!
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
I agree that this is a bit grey. Is the worm cast fixed if it is wet and sticking to the ground? If it's dried out you can't always tell if it is a worm cast or just loose soil.
Good point about "line of putt". The decision quoted doesn't quite explain the full picture. I'd say that even if the ball is off the green you can't press it down as Rule 13-2 prohibits "eliminating irregularities of surface" on the line of play. Would seem wrong that you could flatten it if your ball was off the green but not if the ball was on the green.
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
If it's a worm cast it can be moved if its soil it can't but before anything is done I think all playing partners need to agree on what it is before it gets touched, if no one agrees then best treat it as soil and leave alone.
As for line of putt it doesn't matter really, if it's on the green then it can be moved (even if you are off) regardless as you can move soil but not press it down.
At the end of the day if you are unsure do nothing then you can't possibly be penalised.
As for line of putt it doesn't matter really, if it's on the green then it can be moved (even if you are off) regardless as you can move soil but not press it down.
At the end of the day if you are unsure do nothing then you can't possibly be penalised.
