Linda, in relation to this question [Ask Linda #483-Putt away from hole],
are you allowed to putt before your partner to show her the line, even if that
means playing out of turn?
Thanks,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
Yes. In both match play and stroke play, partners may play
in the order they decide is best [Rules 30-3b and 31-4]. If A and B are playing
as partners, and it is B’s turn to play, B may choose to allow A to play first.
This comes into play most often on the putting green, where
one player might want to show her partner the line, but it is not limited to
play on the green. For example, A’s ball is in a bunker 30 yards from the
green, and B’s ball is behind the bunker, 50 yards from the green. B asks A to
play first. B is thinking that if A hits her ball on the green, B will shoot
for the flagstick. However, if A doesn’t get onto the green, B will be more
conservative in her shot selection.
Partners may not play out of turn if it will unduly delay
play. Using the example above, after B hits her bunker shot, A may not tell B
to go forward to hit her next shot before A hits her 50 yard shot.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
