Can you really use the tip of your putter to contact that ball?

Question

I often see people on the course and even pro's in big tournaments use the tip of their putter to get out of very peculiar situations (usually unstable ground right around the green). I recently read that a club is only allowed one striking face, or two, so long as both striking faces are identical.

Usually this is done with a bullseye style putter, and the tip of the putter is definitely not identical to the main striking face. Is this an oversight in the rules, or am I misinterpreting the rules regarding the club face?

Answer 1

Probably need to consult the Decisions on the Rules for the definitive answer, but I'm pretty sure it's legal to putt out of the rough (or anywhere else) with the toe or tip of the putter.  You can also hit a shot left handed with the back of a right handed club (like when up against a tree).  In both instance you are still using the head of the club to strike the ball even though it is not the normal face.

Answer 2

Yes you can, but it depends on the shot.  I have a mallet style putter so it wouldn't be a good thing for me to attempt that kind of shot.  It works better with flat head style putters.  You just can't double hit the ball.

Answer 3

I think when they mean striking face they mean the head of the club.  If you are right handed and had to swing left handed and use the back of your club you could.  Just can't use your grib to hit the ball, like in Happy Gilmore.  Hope it helps.

Answer 4

Only the putter is allowed to have two identical striking faces. All other clubs must only have one.

That said, in my opinion just because the club only has 1 or 2 striking faces, doesn't mean you can't use another part of it to hit the ball.

Answer 5

Other people have said so, but the only rule is that you need to hit the ball with the head of the club.

The rules don't say which side of the head of the club you need to use. A lot of times you'll see pros try to play a shot left-handed with the back of the club head. It's perfectly legal.

The "two-faced" chippers are non-conforming clubs. If you carried one in a tournament, you would be disqualified.