# Rule 13: Putting Greens (The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf)

Golf · Rule 13: Putting Greens · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/laws/rule-13-putting-greens/)

What may be done on the putting green: marking, cleaning and removing sand, repairing damage, a ball or ball-marker that moves, testing the green and relief from a wrong green; the flagstick and a ball overhanging the hole.

## 13.131 Actions on the Putting Green

When a ball is on the green, marking, cleaning and sand, repairing damage, a ball or ball-marker that moves, testing the green, and relief from a wrong green.

### Test 1: On the putting green: marking, cleaning and sand

- A ball is on the putting green when any part of it touches the green, or it lies on something inside its edge. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1a)
- A ball lying on or in anything, such as a loose impediment, inside the edge of the green is on the green. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1a)
- The fringe is not part of the putting green; a ball touching only fringe grass is in the general area. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1a; Definition of Putting Green)
- A ball on the putting green may be lifted and cleaned, but its spot must be marked first and it must be replaced there. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1b)
- Sand and loose soil on the putting green may be removed without penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(1))
- Removing sand and loose soil on the green is allowed whether the ball is on or off the putting green. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c)
- The improvements allowed on the putting green apply during a round and while play is stopped. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c)
- Mark first, then lift and clean, and the ball goes back on the same spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1b; Rule 14.1)
- Clearing the line by hand is fine, and the player then putts as normal. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(1))
- B sits on the collar, short of the green's edge. A touches the edge, C lies on a leaf inside it and D is on the green. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1a)

### Test 2: Repairing damage on the green

- Shoe damage is repairable. Aeration holes, mowing grooves and natural imperfections are not damage under the Rule. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))
- Repairing damage on the putting green is allowed no matter whether the ball is on or off it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c)
- Old hole plugs, turf plugs and seams of cut turf are listed as damage that may be repaired. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))
- Going beyond restoring the green, such as creating a pathway to the hole, improves the conditions. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2); Rule 8.1a)
- Conditions caused by rain or other natural forces are not damage under the Rule. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))
- Embedded objects such as a stone, acorn, hail or tee, and the dents they leave, are damage. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))
- Repairs are made with a hand, foot or other part of the body, or a normal repair tool, tee, club or similar equipment. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))
- A ball mark is fixed with normal equipment, restoring the surface without unreasonable delay. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))
- Shoe damage can be repaired; there is no penalty for doing so. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))
- Aeration holes (C) come from normal maintenance and may not be repaired. A ball mark (A), spike marks (B) and an embedded acorn (D) may. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1c(2))

### Test 3: When the ball or ball-marker moves on the green

- Accidentally moving one's ball on the putting green is never penalised; the ball goes back on its spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(1))
- A marker knocked by accident costs nobody anything; its first position is put back. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(1))
- A ball not already lifted and replaced is played from where the wind left it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(2))
- Once lifted and replaced on the green, the ball goes back on its spot even if natural forces moved it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(2))
- This is the exception: movement that begins during the backswing, with the stroke made, is played out. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(1), Exception; Rule 9.1b)
- The player, the opponent, or another player in stroke play may accidentally move it without penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(1))
- Rule 13.1d(1) covers both the ball and the ball-marker. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(1))
- Accidental movement on the green is free for everyone, and the ball is replaced. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(1))
- Without a previous lift and replace, natural forces simply leave the ball in its new position. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d(2))
- B was moved by the wind and had never been lifted. A (putter), C (wind after lifting and replacing) and D (opponent's foot) are all replaced. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d)

### Test 4: Testing the green

- Deliberately rubbing the surface to test the putting green is a breach. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)
- Rolling a ball to test the green during the round is a breach, whichever ball is used. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)
- Between two holes, testing on the green just completed is allowed, unless the Committee has a Local Rule against it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e, Exception; Model Local Rule I-2)
- Only rubbing the surface or rolling a ball counts as testing. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)
- The ban on testing applies during the round and while play is stopped. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)
- Testing a wrong green is banned in the same way as testing the putting green. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)
- The two banned actions are rubbing the surface and rolling a ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)
- Testing the green of the hole just completed is allowed between holes. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e, Exception)
- The test is a breach whether or not it helps. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)
- A rubs the surface during the hole. B rolls balls on the green just completed, C only looks, and D brushes sand off the line. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1e)

### Test 5: Relief from a wrong green

- Any green on the course other than the one for the hole being played is a wrong green, including practice greens. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Wrong Green)
- When a wrong green interferes, the ball must not be played as it lies; free relief must be taken. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(2))
- Interference also exists when the wrong green interferes with the area of intended stance or swing. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(1))
- The reference point is the nearest point of complete relief in the same area of the course. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(2))
- Relief from a wrong green is free. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(2))
- There is no relief if the interference exists only because of a clearly unreasonable club, stance, swing or direction. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(3))
- The relief area must be in the same area of the course, not nearer the hole, and free of all interference. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(2))
- Free relief is taken from the nearest point of complete relief. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(2))
- Either the ball on the wrong green or the stance or swing on it means relief is required. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(1))
- B is the nearest point where neither the ball nor the stance is on the wrong green. At A the stance would still be on it, C is on the far side and D is the ball itself. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1f(2))

## 13.132 The Flagstick and the Hole

Leaving the flagstick in, moving it while the ball rolls, attending or removing it, a ball resting against it, and a ball overhanging the hole.

### Test 1: Leaving the flagstick in the hole

- Rule 13.2 applies to a ball played from anywhere, on or off the putting green, so the flagstick may stay in. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(1))
- There is no penalty for hitting a flagstick left in the hole, and the ball is played as it lies. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(2))
- Deliberately moving the flagstick away from centred to gain an advantage brings the general penalty if the ball hits it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(1))
- The player may leave the flagstick as it is or move it so it is centred, and leave it there. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(1))
- The decision on the flagstick is made before the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(1); Rule 13.2b(1))
- Having a removed flagstick put back in the hole is one way to choose to play with it in. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(1))
- Hitting the flagstick in the hole is free whether the stroke came from on or off the green. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(2))
- A centred flagstick left in costs nothing if the ball hits it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a)
- The choice has to be made before the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(1))
- B has been tilted on purpose towards the player. A is centred in the hole, C has been removed and D is attended. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(1))

### Test 2: Moving the flagstick while the ball is moving

- The player and caddie must not deliberately move the flagstick to affect where the ball comes to rest. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(3))
- Moving it for another reason, such as reasonably believing the ball will not reach it, is not penalised. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(3))
- When the player has left the flagstick in, another player who moves it to affect the ball gets the general penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(4))
- There is no penalty if the other player is not aware that the player is about to play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(4))
- The breach lies in the purpose: taking it out so that the rolling ball ends up somewhere else. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(3))
- Another player who deliberately moves the flagstick to affect where the ball will finish, before a stroke the player then makes without knowing of it, gets the general penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(4))
- Removing the flagstick from the hole, including by attending it, while a ball moves is covered by Rule 13.2. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 11.3; Rule 13.2)
- The caddie's act counts as the player's, so the player is penalised. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(3))
- A reason other than affecting the ball means no penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(3))
- In A the caddie pulls the flagstick out as the putt rolls at it. B hit a flagstick left in, C removed it before the stroke and D's ball had already stopped. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2a(3))

### Test 3: Attending or removing the flagstick

- Attending means holding the flagstick in, above or next to the hole, then removing it during or after the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(1))
- A caddie standing right next to the hole when the stroke is made is treated as attending, even unknown to the player. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(1))
- Putting without asking that person to move away or leave the flagstick in counts as authorising them to attend. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(1))
- The player may ask any other person to attend the flagstick. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(1))
- An accidental hit on the person attending, or the flagstick, is free and the ball is played as it lies. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(2))
- Deliberately failing to remove an attended flagstick counts as deliberately stopping the ball under Rule 11.2. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(2); Rule 11.2c(2))
- Accidentally hitting a removed flagstick brings no penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(2))
- Attending is holding the flagstick to show the hole and taking it out once the stroke is under way. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(1))
- Being close enough to reach the flagstick at the moment of the putt is what makes it attended. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(1))
- In A the caddie stands right next to the hole. In B nobody is near, in C the flagstick is out, and in D the caddie is well away. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(1))

### Test 4: Ball resting against the flagstick

- If any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface, it is treated as holed. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c)
- Sitting wholly above the lip, the ball is still in play, so the player must putt it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c)
- If the ball moves when the flagstick is removed, there is no penalty and it is replaced on the lip. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c)
- Whether it falls in or moves away, a ball that was not holed is replaced on the lip of the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c)
- Failing to hole out as required in stroke play means disqualification. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c; Rule 3.3c)
- A removed flagstick deliberately placed to stop the ball counts as deliberately stopping it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2b(2); Rule 11.2)
- The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Flagstick)
- Part of the ball below the surface is enough. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c)
- A ball not holed that moves when the flagstick comes out goes back on the lip. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c)
- B sits entirely above the surface. A has part of the ball below the surface, and C and D are wholly in the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.2c)

### Test 5: Ball overhanging the hole

- The player gets a reasonable time to reach the hole and ten more seconds to wait. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3a)
- A ball falling in within the waiting time is holed with the previous stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3a)
- After the waiting time the ball counts as at rest; if it then falls in, one penalty stroke is added. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3a)
- A ball lifted before the time ends is treated as at rest, replaced on the lip, and the waiting time no longer applies. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3b)
- In match play the player's ball is treated as holed, with no penalty to the opponent. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3b)
- In stroke play the player who lifted it gets two penalty strokes and the ball goes back on the lip. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3b)
- Once the waiting time is over without the ball falling, it is treated as at rest. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3a)
- Dropping inside those ten seconds means the putt already counted as the holing stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3a)
- Holed with the previous stroke, but with a penalty stroke because the time had run out. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3a)
- Only B dropped after the ten-second wait, so one stroke is added. A, C and D fell in within ten seconds. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.3a)

Sources: Rules of Golf, effective January 2023 (The R&A and USGA), Rule 13 and the Definitions (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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