Ask Linda #129-Stepping on ball mark

Dear Linda,
Hi. I was playing with a friend of mine the other day and we had disagreement regarding an issue about stepping on my ball marker. On the green my ball was closer to the hole and his is about a foot behind mine. In his normal stance to make the putt he had to step on my ball mark with his left foot and so he did. After he made the stroke I told him he should incur a penalty for stepping on my ball mark. He said there's nothing wrong with it and it is perfectly legal. He said as a matter of fact he did the same thing during a tournament. I did not pursue the issue since I was not familiar with that particular rule. Could you please give me a clear ruling on this issue? Thanks,
Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

Technically, your friend was correct. There is no penalty for stepping on another player’s ball mark in taking your customary stance to putt.

This is an etiquette issue. If you have to stand on someone else’s ball marker in order to putt, then you are also standing on his line of putt, which a considerate golfer should always try to avoid.

Here is how I would recommend that you handle the situation if you are the player who is further from the hole. First, tell the other player that you will have to stand on his marker in order to putt. Next, give him the option of putting first to avoid your foot possibly damaging his line of putt. This will allow him to decide whether it is more important that he see the line by watching your putt or that he preserve his line of putt.

By acting courteously and with proper golf etiquette, you may get a free and unexpected sneak preview of how the ball will break on your line of putt!

Note that if the player with the shorter putt opts to have the player with the longer putt hit first, then the marker that will be underfoot should be temporarily moved to avoid the possibility of denting the green or being accidentally displaced.

Your friend did not violate a golf rule when he stepped on your marker, and he incurs no penalty. He did, however, demonstrate poor etiquette by not offering you the option to putt first or, at the very least, suggest that you move your marker before he stepped on it.

Linda

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