Order of play -- on the putting surface

[kaimonica]

Hi,

I thought the only rule around order of play is that the farthest from the hole plays first.

Anyways, my brother, who golfs often, claims that there is some sort of "continuation" rule with putting. Basically, whoever starts putting first has the option to finish putting out the hole once they start putting. Say "A" is 10 feet from the hole, "B" is 3 feet from the hole. "A" putts to 2 feet. He claims that "A" has the option to putt next and finish the hole if he chooses.

Is this some sort of etiquette thing or a real rule, or is he just dreaming in la-la land.

Thanks.

[Chambokl]

Continuation is to make things move faster. You putt from 10' and the ball goes by the hole and is now 12", you just keep going and finish the hole.

You could also decide to mark your ball and let the person who is the farthest away to go next.

[kaimonica]

I can see the point of continuation for faster play, but I was curious whether this was a rule or not.

[LobWedge]

See Rule 10-2c


10-2. Stroke Play

c. Playing Out of Turn

If a competitor plays out of turn, there is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies. If, however, the Committee determines that competitors have agreed to play out of turn to give one of them an advantage, they are disqualified.


"Contiuation putting" in stroke play is a matter of etiquette as it relates to pace of play. There is no problem with putting out, provided you're not interfering with another player's line, you do so without major delay, and you are not breaching the second part of the rule above.

Match play is a different story. See Rule 10-1 for details...

[1dash1]

Hi,

Is this some sort of etiquette thing or a real rule, or is he just dreaming in la-la land.

Kaimonica:


The answer depends on the context of the situation. Others have explained the etiquette context and the order of play rule (Rule 10). There's one more piece to the puzzle and that is Rule 22.

22-2. Ball Interfering with Play

Except when a ball is in motion, if a player considers that another ball might interfere with his play, he may have it lifted.

A ball lifted under this Rule must be replaced (see Rule 20-3). The ball must not be cleaned, unless it lies on the putting green (see Rule 21).

In stroke play, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift the ball.

So, you've putted your ball and left it six inches short. Rather than lifting the ball, you may putt out IF one of the other players asks you to lift your ball because it's in his way.

Rule 22-1 similarly applies if your ball happens to be of assistance to another player (e.g., acting as a backstop). http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules/rule22.html#22-1

* * * * *

Put all of the pieces of the puzzle together and maybe it approaches what your brother described as the continuation rule.

Or maybe he's mixed up the pieces?