Hi Linda,
In a recent tournament, on a putting green, a player was standing behind another player as he was about to make his putt. The offending player was advised that he was not permitted to stand behind the player whilst he is putting (or making a stroke off the putting green). However, when I tried to look up the rule after the round in the new rules book, I couldn't find any rule that actually prohibits this action. Rule 10.2 - Advice and Other Help would seem to be the obvious place for such a rule, but it doesn't seem to address this situation and 10.3 only refers to caddies.
Could you assist me in locating the rule that covers this situation?
Regards,
Lou from Bermuda
Dear Lou,
I cannot; I do not believe it exists. Unless the other player is the player’s partner, there is no Rule that prohibits a player from standing on an extension of the line of play behind a player’s ball.
However, it could be an etiquette issue. Players are expected to show consideration to others. If the player who was putting were to ask the other player to move away because he found his presence distracting, the other player would be expected to move. This is simply good manners; I can’t imagine anyone refusing to honor such a request.
Linda
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