Ask Linda #52-Through the Green

Linda: In the Ask Linda # 51 leaf on ball in hazard USGA rules explanation, I think that it would be helpful to the golfers to define the term " through the green ", which according to the USGA is defined as any area of the course mowed to fairway height or less EXCEPT teeing grounds, putting greens and areas defined as hazards. It is my experience that most golfers are not familiar with the definition of the statement. Respectfully submitted. Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,
The USGA definition of “Through the Green” is as follows:
“Through the green” is the whole area of the course except:
a. The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and
b. All hazards on the course.

I included that definition in the second paragraph of my response to Ask Linda #51. It appears in parenthesis at the end of the paragraph.

Areas of the course mowed to fairway height or less, known as “closely mown areas,” are not part of the definition of “through the green,” which you will note includes ALL areas of the course with the exceptions listed above. Your ball is “through the green” when it is in the fairway, the first cut, the rough, the apron around the green, the woods, the fescue, the heather, and all other favorable or unfavorable locations EXCEPT the teeing ground and the putting green of the hole you are playing and all water hazards and bunkers.

Your confusion may stem from the wording of the embedded ball rule (Rule 25-2). That rule allows relief for a ball embedded in its own pitch mark in any closely mown area through the green. The embedded ball rule does not define “through the green” as a “closely mown area,” but rather limits your relief for a ball embedded in its own pitch mark to only those areas through the green that are closely mown. There is no relief from a ball embedded in its own pitch mark through the green unless it is in a closely mown area. If your ball embeds in the rough, for example, you must play it as it lies or declare it unplayable (which allows a drop but adds a penalty stroke to your score). The ONLY time you are permitted free relief for a ball embedded other than in a closely mown area is if a Local Rule has been adopted allowing you to do so. As a tournament director, I always include the local rule that permits relief for an embedded ball through the green. If you would like to read that rule, you can find it in your rule book in Appendix I, Part B: Specimen Local Rules, #4a.

Lou, I’m delighted that you asked this question. If someone so obviously attentive to the rules was puzzled by this definition, then there are probably many readers who will benefit from my clarification. Thank you for helping everyone!

Linda

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