Under USGA rules, are you allowed to fix ball marks (with divot tool) on your Line of Putt?

Question

Rule16-1a - "Touching Line of Putt".

The line of putt must NOT be touched except:

(i) player MAY remove loose impediments, provided he DOES NOT PRESS ANYTHING DOWN;

(ii) player MAY place club in front of ball when addressing it, provided he does NOT PRESS ANYTHING DOWN;

(vi) in repairing old hole plugs or ball marks on the putting green (Rule 16-1c)

Rule 16-1c.

The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball.

Any other damage to the putting green must not be repaired if it MIGHT ASSIST player in his subsequent play of the hole.

Rule 16-1d. Testing Surface

During the play of a hole, a player must not test the surface of the putting green by rolling a ball or roughening or scraping the surface.

QUESTION:

Couldn't using a "divot tool" (in Line of Putt) ALSO be considered a WAY OF "testing the surface"?

...as you MUST PRESS DOWN on tool to fix ball mark?

Answer 1

yes, pitch marks are allowed to be fixed. Spike marks however, are not allowed. As far as "testing the surface" thats for things like rolling the ball from you to your caddy, or such. You are entitled to have the green as close to what it was when the first ball was struck that morning.

Answer 2

Yes ball marks but not spike marks

Answer 3

Absolutely,

If you watch the pro tournys, all of the tour players fix their lines.  You can even sweep off sand from a bunker with your towel as well.  I thought this was improving your line as well, but it is a newer rule made after 2000, at least for the towel thing.  I think this rule was made for the final groups on sundays because it evens the playing field a little bit especially after so many players have played through the holes already.  The putts are alot more difficult in the afternoon...

Answer 4

yes..of course....and if you watch closely, the pros never performing gardening steps outside the line of the put.

Answer 5

Yes you are allowed to repair  pitch marks on your line of putt. but not spike marks.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

Yes you can.  It is not testing the ground, as an old ball mark is an "abnormal" condition and  you are allowed to fix it on the green.

Answer 8

No. you may not fix a divot in your putting line.

Answer 9

Yes you can.

But dont use pro,s as a guide their rules are slightly different.

In amateur golf you must check with your playing partner / opponent before making a repair.

they must agree it is a pitch mark and not spike mark or anything else.

Answer 10

yea

Answer 11

If you repair the ball mark properly, I'm not sure you would learn a lot about the green.  Watch how careful the pros are when they repair a ball mark. They only do exactly what is necessary to fix it.

There are situations in the rules where the 'intention' of the act is what's important.

For example, you can't scrape the ball on the surface of the green to test the condition. But, there is a decision (16-1d5) that says you can rub the ball on the green to clean your ball, as long as your intention is not to test the surface. (But they recommend using a different way to clean it.)

Answer 12

You can fix ball marks that aren't in your putting line also. However, you can't fix spike marks before you putt. You can and should tamp down your spike marks when your group is done putting. It's just common courtesy and respect for the group behind you.

Answer 13

using a divot tool could be considered testing but some of the rules of golf actually benefit the golfer.  Some drops leave you a much better lie or line to the flag, you can take a free drop from an imbedded ball in the fairway, the stymie is no longer allowed.  You are also allowed to tap down the repaired mark with your putter.

Answer 14

Yes you can repair ball marks or divits in your putting line. You just can't fix spike marks not until after you're done putting anyway. Thats why it is really bad golf etiquette to walk in someones putting line.