On hole #2, a player's ball came to rest on the fringe near the green. There were several areas of raised grass between his ball and the hole, and he asked if those could be repaired prior to taking his stroke:
This question is addressed in USGA Rule 8.1a(3): The player must not alter the surface of the ground, including by creating or eliminating holes, indentations or uneven surfaces (amongst others), if doing so improves the conditions affecting the stroke.
This Rule goes on to provide an exception when such imperfections are located on the surface of a putting green in 8.1b(10): In preparing for or making a stroke, a player may, on the putting green, remove sand and loose soil and repair damage. These actions are also expressly permitted under USGA Rule 13.1c.
Comments