Hi Linda,
Is it simply bad etiquette or actually a
punishable rule infringement to stand behind your opponent to study the line of
his/her putt?
Thanks.
Lou
Dear Lou,
It is a violation of etiquette. If your opponent or fellow
competitor asks you to move, it is expected that you will honor that request.
This information can be found in Section I, Etiquette, in the front of your
rulebook, under “Consideration for Other Players.”
The answer is not the same if the player’s partner or either
of their caddies stands behind the ball (to the right of a right-handed golfer)
while the player is making a stroke. In this case, the player incurs a
two-stroke/loss-of-hole penalty [Rule 14-2b]. For a detailed explanation,
please read Ask Linda #535- Standing behind
partner, published on
October 5, 2012. Here is the link: http://lindamillergolf.blogspot.com/2012/10/ask-linda-535-standing-behind-partner.html
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
