Dear Linda,
It appears to me that Lulu said the acorn is partially
embedded on the putting green [Ask Linda #571]. If so, while she may remove the
partially embedded acorn, it is my understanding that she is not allowed to
repair the dent on the putting green, right?
Cheers,
Lou
Dear Lou,
Your understanding is absolutely correct, Lou. A player is
limited to repairing old hole plugs and ball marks on the green. Any other
damage to the green may not be repaired if it will assist him in his play [Rule
16-1c].
So if a player has removed a partially embedded acorn on his
line of putt, he may not repair the indentation until after he putts past it. If
he makes his repair before he putts, the penalty is two strokes.
I don’t want to discourage anyone from repairing the green,
but it is safest to do so after you have holed out.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
