Spike Marks on the Green

[Golf_Putz]

I was watching the Golf Channel, women's golf event, and they showed a player examining a mark (actually a raised bit of turf) that was in the line of her putt. The announcer said that they determined it was a spike mark, so it couldn't be fixed, so the player had to put through the 'bump'.
Is it really a golf rule that you can't repair any marks other than ball marks on the green?

["Richard"]

yup, just another rule like no relief from divots

I was watching the Golf Channel, women's golf event, and they showed a player examining a mark (actually a raised bit of turf) that was in the line of her putt. The announcer said that they determined it was a spike mark, so it couldn't be fixed, so the player had to put through the 'bump'.
Is it really a golf rule that you can't repair any marks other than ball marks on the green?

[Golf_Putz]

Is there a penalty that can be imposed then, if an opposing player deliberately walks across another player's line? I've never seen it happen in a PGA tourney - but it would seem that if someone wanted to be nasty, they could 'drag' their foot a little and cause a rippling in an opponent's line to the hole. That doesn't seem fair - and I've always thought that the point of the Rules of Golf was to level the playing field for everyone involved and make the game as fair for everone as possible.

["Richard"]

My playing partner walks across everyones line all the time. I've told him a few times but now I just sit back and laugh because its funny. I dont' think an FC would walk across your line just to pull up grass because a) it would be hard to do without metal spikes b) you could really flip out at them and give them a good talking down to... not worth it from them just to maybe effect your putt.

[Gary Hill]

Is there a penalty that can be imposed then, if an opposing player deliberately walks across another player's line?

Yes. Immediate disqualification.

[Kiwi battler]

I believe you can repair damage caused to your line if its done after your ball came to rest........and old hole plugs can be repaired as well

["Richard"]

don't think you are allowed to do that...

[AAA]

I believe you can repair damage caused to your line if its done after your ball came to rest........and old hole plugs can be repaired as well

1) In equity, a player is entitled to the lie which his stroke gave him.
2) Repair of old hole plugs is allowed specifically by the rule

[em69]

Is it really a golf rule that you can't repair any marks other than ball marks on the green?

You cannot repair spike marks in your line of putt, but, other players can.

[AAA]

You cannot repair spike marks in your line of putt, but, other players can.

A player must not improve or allow to be improved:
his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole,

[hacker1]

garry
you stated that one would be disqualified for damaging an opponents line of putt where is that rule in the book
I always though you just did it out of etiquette
thanks dave

[jvincent]

hacker1, see the following.

33-7. Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion

A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual cases be waived, modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action warranted.

Any penalty less than disqualification must not be waived or modified.

If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification under this Rule.

[BC MIST]

My playing partner walks across everyones line all the time. I've told him a few times but now I just sit back and laugh because its funny.

It's funny that someone is selfish, inconsiderate and deliberately does something to upset your game? I see that you refer to him as your playing partner and not your friend. Friends would not do this.

There are golfers and people who play golf.

[Golfbum]

There are golfers and people who play golf.

BINGO.

[Golf_Putz]

I guess that I am surpirsed by the 'official rule'. I have only been playing golf for about 4 years (Sorry to say it took me 50 years to learn the error of my ways ) and it seems that just about everyone I have played with will take the time to pat down raised marks, even slightly raised ones, in their line to the hole, that were obviously caused by previous groups walking around the hole and other parts of the green before us.
Do you think that the majority of golfers are aware of this rule?

[AAA]

Seems not, certainly in Ontario.