Linda… in a recent round my ball embedded in its own pitch
mark, just a few feet off a green. I took a drop and my ball came to rest
right behind the pitch mark. I would have liked to putt my next shot, but
due to the pitch mark I had to chip the ball. The question arose as to
whether or not I could have repaired the pitch mark before I took the
drop. Can you help?
Thanks,
Lou from Texas
Dear Lou,
You are not permitted to repair the pitch mark prior to your
next shot, Lou. This would constitute improving the area where you will drop
the ball by eliminating an irregularity of surface, a violation of Rule 13-2
[Decision 13-2/10]. You may repair pitch marks on the putting green and the
teeing ground, but not elsewhere.
Please don’t forget to repair the pitch mark as soon as your
ball has passed the depression.
Linda
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