Monday, October 16, 2017

Ask Linda #1624-Hit ball with back of putter

Hi Linda,
Please could you tell me what the rules say regarding using the back of a putter? I see many people who just miss a putt and then use the back of the putter to knock it in. Is this acceptable as well as being lazy?
Kind regards,
Lou from Gloucestershire, England, Great Britain

Dear Lou,

The player may hit the ball with either side of the clubhead. The Rule states: “The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club…” [Rule 14-1]. It does not limit the player to using only one side of the clubhead.

Players are foolish to do this under tournament conditions. It takes but a few seconds to address the ball in the traditional manner and tap it into the hole. A slight miscue using the back of the club can add additional, maddening strokes to your score for the hole. 

Linda
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