Linda, I was playing in a match event and was told a player
may not finish putting before their opponent. The putt could only be
conceded or had to be marked. Is this true? Thanks for all your
marvelous information on rules.
Lou from Massachusetts
Dear Lou,
Match play takes order of play much more seriously than
stroke play. While you see players putt continuously in stroke play, you will
not (should not) see this in match play.
In match play, if your putt is not conceded, you should mark
your ball and wait your turn. It is not against the Rules if you putt out of
turn, but if you do, your opponent has the right to recall your stroke, in
which case you would have to replace your ball or marker and wait your turn
[Rule 10-1c].
Match play is a different game from stroke play, and has
different strategies. As a player, if your opponent does not concede your next
putt, you should immediately mark it. As an opponent, if you decide not to concede
your opponent’s next putt, and he asks if he can finish, you should tell him to
mark it. You want him to think hard about his next putt while you sink your
30-footer.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
