Rule in Golf regarding Spike marks...?

Question

This would have to be the worse rule in golf... But I cannot for the life of me work out why its even a rule...

Ok, you can repair pitch marks made by the ball, you can repair holes made by outside agencies (all of which are at markers discression)... But why arent we allowed to tap down spike marks, once we have made the putt then we can tap as many as we like....they are made by the shoes that WE wear, same as the pitch marks are made by the balls that WE use...

Anyone got any idea that makes this rule viable??...

Answer 1

Awful rule but here is the USGA official opinion in reference to the question...

The distinction lies in the fact that old hole plugs and ball marks are easily identifiable as such, whereas it is impossible to differentiate between spike damage and other irregularities of surface on the putting green.

Check out the link...

Answer 2

No changes for another 5 years. They just had their rule changes for the half decade. How rough can you get?

Answer 3

I once played with a guy (who didn't know the rules). He tapped down a trench from his ball to the hole. :-)

Still missed the putt...

Answer 4

Next time you and your buddies are playing for cash and your put goes off line because of a spike mark you'll love the rule. trying to tap down every spike marks made by everyone who stepped on the green causes slow play. One mark made by a golf ball is better than hundreds if not thousands of spike marks made by someone who thinks they are helping by aerating the whole green.