Does anyone know the "Official" rule on continous putting.?

Question

I have been told you can keep putting until you hole out, even though the other guys are furthur away and have not putted yet. I'm not talking about short putts, but long putts.

Answer 1

Once you put you always have the option of putting out although you would not do so if you need to stand in the line of one of the other players

Answer 2

Cut & pasted the following from usga.org:

Rule 10

Continuous Putting

Q.  Are you entitled to "finish out" the hole if you have played and only have a tap in left? What is the penalty if you finish out of turn?

A.  The answer is provided in Rule 10-1c for match play and Rule 10-2c for stroke play.

There is no penalty in either form of play if a player plays out of turn.

However, when a player has played out of turn in match play, the opponent may immediately recall the stroke played and require the player to play in the correct order.

Additionally, in stroke play only, a player who is required to lift a ball under Rule 22, may play first rather than lift. This is the practice often seen used by the professionals which leads to the general misunderstanding that a "continuous putting" rule exists.

Answer 3

If you putt and are now closer than the other player then they should be allowed to putt.

If your ball is very close to the hole or in the other players line then you should finish.

If you have a long putt left and are not in the other players line then you should not putt.

Golf rules are more about fair play and being polite, or considerate of the other members of your group.

Answer 4

As noted from the rule cut/paste, there's no penalty in stroke play from continuous putting; in match play it's not permitted.

If you're playing a casual round, I'd say whatever gets you in the hole and to the next tee in the shortest amount of time is what you should endeavour for.

Answer 5

With long putts, you should mark and allow the player who is further away putt first.  If it is just a tap in, then you should finish to speed up play.  There is no "continous putting" rule in the Rules of Golf.