Ask Linda #512-Required to mark ball on green?

Linda,

As a rule expert, I would like to know if it is mandatory that I mark and pick up my golf ball once it is on the greens. Is it mandatory that the ball be picked up and marked or is this mostly done as a courtesy? I did read where a player may asked that you mark your ball if he feels that it may interfere with the putt. I do notice that PGA player do mark their balls once on the green but I want to know if this is mandatory.

Thank you,

Lou

Dear Lou,

The Rule states that a ball on the putting green may be lifted. Thus, lifting your ball is optional, not mandatory. However, in stroke play, if your friend Jack putts from on the green and his ball hits yours, Jack incurs a two-stroke penalty. Therefore, it has become customary, primarily in stroke play, to mark and lift your ball on the putting green. If your ball lies on a remote part of the green where there is zero chance that another player’s putt will hit it, it is not necessary to lift your ball.

Most players prefer to lift their ball, regardless of where it lies, so that they can clean it before putting.

In match play, there is less need to lift a ball on the green because there is no penalty for hitting another ball on the green.

If another player asks you to lift your ball because it might interfere with his play, you are required to do so [Rule 22-2]. This is true anywhere on the course. On the putting green, you may be asked to move it one or more club-head lengths to one side so that your marker will not be on another player’s line of putt.

Be aware that if you are asked to lift your ball because it interferes with another golfer's play, and your ball is not on a putting green, you may not clean it. Hold it carefully in two fingers, and don't drop it into your pocket.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.