Linda,
I am looking for some clarification on rule 7-2 which
prohibits practice strokes during a round, yet DOES allow practice putting and
chipping on or near the green of the last hole played or the teeing ground of
the next hole to be played.
My question is whether or not there is any difference in
this rule that allows practice putting/chipping in stroke play vs. match play. My
understanding is that there is no difference, and practice putting/chipping is
in fact allowed in both match play and stroke play. Is that correct?
I believe that there is a common misconception that practice
putting/chipping is allowed in match play but not in stroke play because the
PGA tour institutes a condition of competition that disallows it, but in the
televised match play events, Ryder Cup/US Amateur/etc., the players DO often
practice on the greens. Can you please confirm, and clarify rule 7-2 if there
is anything I am not understanding properly?
Thanks,
Lou from Boston
Dear Lou,
I could not have explained Rule 7-2 better myself! The Rule
applies to both match play and stroke play.
Note 2, at the end of the Rule, explains that a Committee
may prohibit practice on or near the putting green of the hole last played as a
condition of the competition. When you watch golf on TV, if you do not see
players practicing their putts after they complete a hole it is because the
Committee has prohibited such practice. In my experience, practice under Rule
7-2 is generally permitted in amateur tournaments.
Linda
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