Q: A player is playing at hole #10
and shoots badly to hole #12, so his ball comes to rest on the
green of hole #12. I think he should take relief according to Rule 25-3.
Is that right?
My co-worker says that when the
player is playing at hole #10, the green of hole #12 is “through the
green” according to the definition of “through the green,” so he must play
the ball on it as it lies. I don't agree. In this situation, the
green of hole 12 is not only “through the green” but also “wrong
putting green.” So he must take a relief according to Rule 25-3. Who is right?
Lou from Korea
Dear Lou,
You are right. Wrong putting greens are a special case,
which is why there is a specific Rule addressing the situation of a ball
landing on one. Rule 25-3b states in no uncertain terms that a player must not play a ball from a wrong
putting green. He must take relief,
dropping it within one club-length of the nearest point of relief that is no
nearer the hole and not in a hazard or on a green. The golfer has no choice – he is never permitted to play a ball as it lies from a wrong putting
green, and will be penalized two strokes (loss of hole in match play) if he
does.
A lot of time, money, and work are invested in caring for
the putting greens on a golf course. The Rules recognize the importance of
protecting the surface of the greens, which is why relief from a wrong putting
green is mandatory.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
