Golf Rule of the Week

GOLF RULE FOR THE WEEK:

 

Old Hole Plug

 Old hole plug

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question 1:

If a player’s ball comes to rest on an old hole plug may they take relief from it?

No, there is no relief from an old hole plug.

Question 2:
If, on a player’s line of putt, there is an old hole plug that they consider is not level may they attempt to raise or lower the edges before making their putt…
a) … if their ball is on the putting surface?

Yes

  1. b) … if their ball is off the putting surface?

Yes

Part of Rule 16-1c states:

The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not the player’s ball lies on the putting green.

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Question 3:
If a player’s ball comes to rest behind an old hole that is on their line of putt may they take relief from it?

Answer 3:
No, there is no relief from an old hole plug on the line of putt.

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Question 4:
May a player deliberately repair a spike mark that is on their line of putt if it is on an old hole plug?

Answer 4:

No.
Note: However, Decision 16-1a/16.5 rules that if a player steps on the hole plug to make it level with the surface of the putting green and in so doing they press down a spike mark within the hole plug, they do not incur a penalty. Rule 16-1a permits touching the line of putt in repairing old hole plugs.

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