Rolling ball towards pin to help read a putt

[ghb12]

I noticed recently that before a putt, my playing partner marked his ball, and then rolled his ball towards the pin to help him read his putt. Since it was just a friendly game, I said nothing (and it didn't matter anyway because he 3 putted!!) but I assumed this wasn't allowed. So for future reference, is rolling you ball towards the pin to help read a putt allowed, and if not what would the penalty be in a stroke play format? Would it be the same penalty in a match play format? Thanks

 

[backwoodsman]

You playing partner is being naughty ...

Rule 16-1/d says you must not test the surface of a green by rolling a ball, or roughening or scraping the surface. 2 stroke penalty in strokeplay or loss of hole in matchplay.

 

[chrisd]

Rolling the ball towards the pin !!

That's a new one Ive never heard before. :smirk:

 

[Hosel Fade]

I noticed recently that before a putt, my playing partner marked his ball, and then rolled his ball towards the pin to help him read his putt. Since it was just a friendly game, I said nothing (and it didn't matter anyway because he 3 putted!!) but I assumed this wasn't allowed. So for future reference, is rolling you ball towards the pin to help read a putt allowed, and if not what would the penalty be in a stroke play format? Would it be the same penalty in a match play format? Thanks

Downright blatant that is. As others said, 2 strokes or loss of hole. What is next, whip out a spirit level and free mulligans until it goes in?

 

[RGDave]

Rolling the ball towards the pin !!

That's a new one Ive never heard before. :smirk:

Me too. Worthy of a whipping with a rusty three iron shaft that.

That's given me an idea though. Next time I practice (on my own) I shall eye up my chip/putt and then roll a ball down the line to see how things are gonna work out.
Normally, I just hit a 2nd ball and sigh at my total incompetence reading the first one.

 

[351DRIVER]

That is second only to hitting a putt, saying it was practise, replacing your ball and trying again..

Rolling a ball towards the hole, seriously, what is happening to my favourite game?

THIS IS GOLF PEOPLE

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Not sure how your PP could ever consider that acceptable.

Could never have seen anyone else do it or even misinterpret a rule.

Cheating i'm afraid.

 

[hovis]

in a comp its laughable that this would happened. in a friendly knock, who cares.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Tut tut. Naughty boy. In simple terms...they are cheating

 

[rulie]

That is second only to hitting a putt, saying it was practise, replacing your ball and trying again..

Rolling a ball towards the hole, seriously, what is happening to my favourite game?

THIS IS GOLF PEOPLE

Somebody thought it was bowls.