Standing on Through Line of Putt

[mikejohnchapman]

I was playing in a foresomes match yesterday and our opponents lined up a putt with one player behind the ball and the other behind the hole. No problem with this but as the player took his stance to hit the putt his partner only took two steps to the side to observe the putt. It made me question how far to the side of the line of putt you need to stand so as not to be in conflict with the rules. I estimate the partner was 10/15 degrees away from the straight line but certainly could see the breaking line of the putt from behind.

The rules talk about line of play in the definition but and view as to the practical implementation of this.

 

[TheJezster]

If the player was behind the hole I don't think it matters, as the line of the put only goes as far as the hole.

 

[rulefan]

If the player was behind the hole I don't think it matters, as the line of the put only goes as far as the hole.

There in 'line of putt' in the rules now.
See the new definition of 'Line of Play'.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/h...ruletype=fr&section=definitions&subrulenum=33

 

[rulefan]

I was playing in a foresomes match yesterday and our opponents lined up a putt with one player behind the ball and the other behind the hole. No problem with this but as the player took his stance to hit the putt his partner only took two steps to the side to observe the putt. It made me question how far to the side of the line of putt you need to stand so as not to be in conflict with the rules. I estimate the partner was 10/15 degrees away from the straight line but certainly could see the breaking line of the putt from behind.

The rules talk about line of play in the definition but and view as to the practical implementation of this.

See 10.2b
While the stroke is being made, the caddie must not deliberately stand in a location on or close to the player’s line of play or do anything else (such as pointing out a spot on the putting green) to point out the line of play.

 

[clubchamp98]

We always used a clublength as there was or is no exact measurement.

But on big breaking puts the line is not always at the hole .

It’s more an etiquette thing imo , as long as he doesn't stand right behind the hole I can’t see how he has done anything wrong.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

See 10.2b
While the stroke is being made, the caddie must not deliberately stand in a location on or close to the player’s line of play or do anything else (such as pointing out a spot on the putting green) to point out the line of play.

Not suggesting for a moment the person was standing in a position to indicate a specific line. However, he was standing in a position to observe the break of the putt from behind the hole.

 

[duncan mackie]

Not suggesting for a moment the person was standing in a position to indicate a specific line. However, he was standing in a position to observe the break of the putt from behind the hole.

Which is entirely OK - there are no restrictions for standing there within the rules unless he is deliberately standing at a point fornthe player to aim at.