Wrong Putting Green

[Slab]

In the golf sixes yesterday a ball ended up on a wrong green and at least two references were made by the commentary team that the player could choose to play it as it lies or take relief (he took relief as it happens)

I didn't think there was a choice in this situation and the player 'must' take relief?

I cant even think that any ET conditions of comp could change this ruling, am I wrong or did the commentary team just give bum info to the hordes of new viewers looking in for the first time?

 

[backwoodsman]

Well, you're correct that the relevant rule (25-3b) say relief must be taken for a wrong green - but i don't know if the ET (or any other tour) have the ability or right to over-ride it.

 

[Slab]

Cheers, yeah even if the ET has something in their rules I guess a 'don't try this at home' disclaimer regarding having a choice, might have been in order to let folks know its a definite no no

 

[backwoodsman]

Whilst l don't actually know, I can't imagine the ET would have a condition of comp (or whatever they call them) that would over-ride the wrong green rule. It's a pretty fundamental rule which protects the putting surfaces. I think your original assessment of it being bum info is probably right.

 

[Maninblack4612]

Certainly not allowed on the PGA tour. http://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/seung-yul-noh-takes-penalty-hitting-ball-off-wrong-green

 

[Slab]

Certainly not allowed on the PGA tour. http://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/seung-yul-noh-takes-penalty-hitting-ball-off-wrong-green

Yeah I doubt it too but it was just because it was Wayne Riliey that said it first I assumed he'd be in the know

 

[Norrin Radd]

so you are supposed to take a drop if you are on the wrong green ,soooooooooooo,,,,,,,,,,,,what about the right green ,nothing says you cant use a wedge to play a shot .take that stupid green in america that has a bunker in the middle of it ,players chip over it with a wedge ,so whats is the difference if you are on the wrong green.

 

[Maninblack4612]

so you are supposed to take a drop if you are on the wrong green ,soooooooooooo,,,,,,,,,,,,what about the right green ,nothing says you cant use a wedge to play a shot .take that stupid green in america that has a bunker in the middle of it ,players chip over it with a wedge ,so whats is the difference if you are on the wrong green.

It's against the rules.

 

[Foxholer]

Didn't see the incident, but could it be that the green that the guy ended up on was not one of the 6 in the competition/course?

Otherwise it's likely to be a simple case of Riley 'using the wrong orifice when opining'!

 

[mikejohnchapman]

In the golf sixes yesterday a ball ended up on a wrong green and at least two references were made by the commentary team that the player could choose to play it as it lies or take relief (he took relief as it happens)

I didn't think there was a choice in this situation and the player 'must' take relief?

I cant even think that any ET conditions of comp could change this ruling, am I wrong or did the commentary team just give bum info to the hordes of new viewers looking in for the first time?

Only logic to make this right would be that as it's a 6 hole course all the other 12 greens are regarded as being through the green. Wouldn't be popular with the green staff or members though if you took a big divot.

 

[Tashyboy]

Only logic to make this right would be that as it's a 6 hole course all the other 12 greens are regarded as being through the green. Wouldn't be popular with the green staff or members though if you took a big divot.

I have seen a couple of divots on our greens and first cuts and thought what divot did that.

 

[atticusfinch]

[h=3]33-8. Local Rules[/h]b. Waiving or Modifying a Rule

A Rule of Golf must not be waived by a Local Rule.

 

[rulie]

I'd suggest that it's simple - the announcers didn't know what they were talking about. That is not unusual when it comes to Rules and rulings, and this one is pure black and white!

 

[backwoodsman]

Only logic to make this right would be that as it's a 6 hole course all the other 12 greens are regarded as being through the green. Wouldn't be popular with the green staff or members though if you took a big divot.

Is that logic though?

All greens except the one being played are "through the green" - but that doesn't stop them being a wrong green. And presumably the only thing that stops a green (any green, except the one of the hole being played) being "through the green" is if it is outside the course - ie Out Of Bounds. In which case, playing it isn't an option?

 

[Fish]

Is that logic though?

All greens except the one being played are "through the green" - but that doesn't stop them being a wrong green. /QUOTE]

Yes it does, there are only 6 greens on the day in play, so any others are a wrong green!

Just like in the winter when you have a temp in front of your normal green, if you land on the normal green it's the wrong green and you must take relief.

 

[backwoodsman]

Is that logic though?

All greens except the one being played are "through the green" - but that doesn't stop them being a wrong green. /QUOTE]

Yes it does, there are only 6 greens on the day in play, so any others are a wrong green!

Just like in the winter when you have a temp in front of your normal green, if you land on the normal green it's the wrong green and you must take relief.

Not sure i follow what your thinking is, Fish?

All putting greens except the one on the hole being played fall into the definition of "through the green" and they are all also a wrong green. The two phrases aren't mutually exclusive.

Provided a putting green is not out of bounds, and provided it is not the hole being played, it is a wrong green. The only "right green" (to coin a phrase) is the one on the hole being played

 

[rulie]

Not sure i follow what your thinking is, Fish?

All putting greens except the one on the hole being played fall into the definition of "through the green" and they are all also a wrong green. The two phrases aren't mutually exclusive.

Provided a putting green is not out of bounds, and provided it is not the hole being played, it is a wrong green. The only "right green" (to coin a phrase) is the one on the hole being played

And Rule 25-3 tells us what you MUST do if your ball is on a wrong putting green. You do have an option to play it, but you will incur a penalty for doing so.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

[h=3]33-8. Local Rules[/h]b. Waiving or Modifying a Rule

A Rule of Golf must not be waived by a Local Rule.

That's all very well but isn't also against the rules to break a local rule, even if the local rule isn't itself legal?

 

[atticusfinch]

That's all very well but isn't also against the rules to break a local rule, even if the local rule isn't itself legal?

Without arguing that such a local rule would be invalid and of no force, what would the penalty be and how would it be enforced if challenged? There would be no support from the usga/r&a.