Can I use a wedge on a green?

[Grabster]

Is there a rule against this?
There have been times when I have a long putt with lots of slope and I have thought, "I should use a wedge to get over the trouble areas."

Can I use a wedge or really any other club on a green?
I've never done this nor have I seen anyone do it, but it seems that sometimes, it would be to my benefit.

Thanks

[LobWedge]

Is there a rule against this?
There have been times when I have a long putt with lots of slope and I have thought, "I should use a wedge to get over the trouble areas."

Can I use a wedge or really any other club on a green?
I've never done this nor have I seen anyone do it, but it seems that sometimes, it would be to my benefit.

Thanks

As long as it's on the hole being played, yes. That being said, greens keepers don't like it much.

[little brit]

Yes I believe you can. The greenskeeper may not like you very much if you do though.

Proper rules official should clarify though. I am sometimes wrong


Ooops ! you beat me to it lobwedge

[Hacker]

Not in the official rules to my knowledge......but I'd be surprized if most courses didn't have a local rule to cover this

[AAA]

As long as it's on the hole being played, yes.

I have heard claimed that 'you can play from a wrong green as long as you use a putter'

[LobWedge]

I have heard claimed that 'you can play from a wrong green as long as you use a putter'

Sure, as long as you're prepared to play a REALLY low slice.

Actually, that raises an interesting question. I had to look this up...

25-3/1 Status of Half of Double Green Serving Hole Not Being Played
Q. One half of a U-shaped putting green serves as the 11th green and the other half serves as the 17th green. In play of the 17th hole, if a ball comes to rest on the part of the green serving the 11th hole, does Rule 25-3 (Wrong Putting Green) apply?
A. No, not unless the Committee divides the green by use of stakes or a line and declares one part to be the green of the 11th hole and the other part to be the green of the 17th hole. The Definition of “Putting Green” gives a Committee this right.

[The Saint]

In 2007 Phil Mickelson used a flop shot when on the green in HSBC Champions event.

[Kilroy]

I just hope that people who play at my home course aren't reading this. There is a very good reason people think chipping on the green is a no-no. It may be OK by the rules but it is certainly not something anyone wants to see players do.

[LobWedge]

I just hope that people who play at my home course aren't reading this. There is a very good reason people think chipping on the green is a no-no. It may be OK by the rules but it is certainly not something anyone wants to see players do.

It's such a rare occurrence, and any damage would be minimal at worst. It's not like people are hitting full shots.

[Kilroy]

Agreed, but not everyone is skilled enough to not take a divot when chipping from a super tight lie .

If you have the skills... no problem.

[BogeyGolf]

I think I will try this when I am playing with Kilroy and Noback at Manderly this year...

Of course, I will replace my divot....

[Kilroy]

I will smack you.

[Pinshark]

I have done this before. Sometimes you have no choice...most courses this would never be a problem but if you are on a U shaped green or one with a big corner you may need to get up over the rough.

[jeffc]

I just hope that people who play at my home course aren't reading this. There is a very good reason people think chipping on the green is a no-no. It may be OK by the rules but it is certainly not something anyone wants to see players do.

If it is part of the rules then why is it frowned upon? Yes, I know the answer but it would seem to me that I have no alternative but to play it from where it lies and use that wedge. It is no different than me having to play a shot that may damage my club.

[BC MIST]

Rule 1-1 defines how the game is to be played and therefore any club can be used in any given situation, at the player's discretion. An attempt to establish a local rule prohibiting the use of a wedge on a putting green would be contrary to 33-1.

However, the owner/greenskeeper may establish an unofficial local rule stating that, 'You use a wedge on my greens and you're outta here."

[LobWedge]

I will smack you.

I think that's one of the funniest things I have read in quite a while.

[AAA]

Agreed, but not everyone is skilled enough to not take a divot when chipping from a super tight lie .

If you have the skills... no problem.

Anyone taking a divot on the green is not chipping but either pitching or too dangerous to be left on their own.

[mpare]

Too late. On at least two occasions on 9 Central I used a 60* wedge from the front left side of the green to access the pin that was located back, left. It was the only way to get there, given that bad position I had left myself in after my approach shot to the green. Don't worry, Dan, I didn't mark the green, and had I done so, Gerry would have smacked me.

I just hope that people who play at my home course aren't reading this. There is a very good reason people think chipping on the green is a no-no. It may be OK by the rules but it is certainly not something anyone wants to see players do.

[Kilroy]

Yes, but you have the skills.

I'd do it if needed, but honestly I'd be nervous. I'd be OK with most of my buddies who play lots doing it too.

For the genuine hacker (hopefully they know who they are) it should be in the "don't try this at home" category.

[AAA]

It is of course, poor design unless the owners are prepared for and accept any resultant damage.
There is really no need for U shaped greens to give a test of players' chipping skills.

[Kilroy]

It's not really a "U" shape, but it is a huge green and from where he described it makes sense as an option.

[ProV007]

Use your putter! I can promise if this is seen by the marshals or GREENS STAFF at Manderley or any other club you will be asked to leave!

It may not be common but it will become more common as the greens get damaged and people feel they have to chip over divots.

Most greens that are large and u shaped have some sort of break that will allow you to lag it to the hole + I would say if you hit a shot in that position on the green you likely don't have the skill to be trying something like that.

You may not like my answer but go talk to a local greens keeper and I'm sure mine is sugar coated compared to what he will tell you

[sillywilly]

I will smack you.

To smack:

To touch or caress with the lips, especially as a sign of passion or affection:

[I 3 putt]

go for it! only do it, if it is the right play though!

[stevek]

It seems every second time I play Glen Mar I'm forced to use a wedge on the 18th hole. Haven't left a mark, yet.

The corollary to this question is: "Can the flag be left in?"

[gbower]

Sure you can leave the flagstick in but if you hit it you will get a 2 stroke penalty.

[sillywilly]

I've used a wedge on the green... left a huge divot. I fixed to the best of my abiltiy, called the club house and told them to send a staff member to do a better job and continued my round. If its not against the rules why would i get kicked off for doing it? If they don't like it, do not design a green in such a way tht you can be on the green and don't have a direct like to the hole

[sharkshooter]

If they don't want you to use a wedge on the green, they shouldn't build greens where you are required to use one.

[powerlefty]

It seems every second time I play Glen Mar I'm forced to use a wedge on the 18th hole. Haven't left a mark, yet.

The corollary to this question is: "Can the flag be left in?"

I seem to recall that Glenmar had a specific rule regarding that (I think silly) horseshoe shaped green. I thought there was a rule on the scorecard that said if you were on the wrong leg of the horshoe you moved the ball without penalty - I cannot recall if you were allowed to move it to the other leg of the horseshoe or if you had to move it to the fairway. Does anyone else recall this?

[AAA]

It would certainly have been a non-conforming local rule.