Monday, November 7, 2011

Ask Linda #371-Second repair of ball mark


Hi Linda,

Rule 16-1c says that the player may repair a ball mark, and thus results in the exception to the rule that the line of putt cannot be touched.  What constitutes "repair?" Can a player use his putter to press down an area on the line of the putt which is slightly raised from previous ball mark repair?  For example, Player A repairs a ball mark on the green, but did not press down smoothly on that ball mark.  Player B comes later where that ball mark is on his line of putt.  Can Player B press down that area without actually using some sort of tool to "repair" the mark?

Thanks,
Lou

Dear Lou,

A player is permitted to repair a ball mark that has been previously repaired. He does not need to use a special tool. The only stipulation is that the mark be clearly identifiable as a ball mark [Decision 16-1c/1].

Linda 
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