Repairing Hole or Spike Marks on Green

[hackzaw]

If you're playing a stroke play game, if you putt out, and other fellow competitors have yet to putt out, are you permitted to repair a damaged hole, or tap down spike marks (even spike marks that are in your FC's line of putt)?

[AAA]

No.

[hackzaw]

Thanks for the quick response AAA. Could you cite the exact rule for me. This came up today in one of my games, and the other FC was of the opinion that after he was done putting out, he could repair the hole or fix spike marks, even if they were to the benefit of the other FC's who still had to finish the hole.

One of the FC's (and a friend) said, "I know I can't fix the hole, but you can". I replied that I didn't that was quite right, and a breach of some rule. He figures, since he's not improving his line of play, then what does it matter.

[gbower]

Hackzaw you're not allowed to do either.
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1-2/3.5 Player Repairs Hole After Holing Out But Before Opponent, Fellow-Competitor or Partner Holes Out

Q. After holing out, a player observes that the edge of the hole is ragged. He pats the ragged edge with his hand and smoothes it. Does the player incur a penalty under Rule 1-2 if his opponent, fellow-competitor or partner has not holed out?

A. If the player smoothed the edge of the hole as a courtesy to the players in following groups or for the care of the course, he was not in breach of Rule1-2. However, if the player’s primary purpose in smoothing the ragged edge was to influence the movement of his opponent’s, fellow-competitor’s, or partner’s ball, he was in breach of 1-2.


13-2/36 Competitor Sanctions Repair of Spike Damage on His Line of Putt by Fellow-Competitor

Q. If a fellow-competitor purposely improves the competitor's line of putt by repairing spike damage, the fellow-competitor is penalized under Rule 1-2. If the fellow-competitor's action is sanctioned, tacitly or otherwise, by the competitor, is the competitor also subject to penalty?

A. Yes, under Rule 13-2, for allowing his line of play to be improved.

[AAA]

13-2/36 Competitor Sanctions Repair of Spike Damage on His Line of Putt by Fellow-Competitor
Q. If a fellow-competitor purposely improves the competitor's line of putt by repairing spike damage, the fellow-competitor is penalized under Rule 1-2. If the fellow-competitor's action is sanctioned, tacitly or otherwise, by the competitor, is the competitor also subject to penalty?
A. Yes, under Rule 13-2, for allowing his line of play to be improved

Note, a breach of rule 1-2 could lead to DQ.

[hackzaw]

Hackzaw you're not allowed to do either.
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1-2/3.5 Player Repairs Hole After Holing Out But Before Opponent, Fellow-Competitor or Partner Holes Out

Q. After holing out, a player observes that the edge of the hole is ragged. He pats the ragged edge with his hand and smoothes it. Does the player incur a penalty under Rule 1-2 if his opponent, fellow-competitor or partner has not holed out?

A. If the player smoothed the edge of the hole as a courtesy to the players in following groups or for the care of the course, he was not in breach of Rule1-2. However, if the player’s primary purpose in smoothing the ragged edge was to influence the movement of his opponent’s, fellow-competitor’s, or partner’s ball, he was in breach of 1-2.


13-2/36 Competitor Sanctions Repair of Spike Damage on His Line of Putt by Fellow-Competitor

Q. If a fellow-competitor purposely improves the competitor's line of putt by repairing spike damage, the fellow-competitor is penalized under Rule 1-2. If the fellow-competitor's action is sanctioned, tacitly or otherwise, by the competitor, is the competitor also subject to penalty?

A. Yes, under Rule 13-2, for allowing his line of play to be improved.

So, in regards to the hole repair, how are we to determine what the "primary purpose" of the players actions repairing the hole? How could you come to the determination that he was trying to influence the movement of his FC's putt? Wouldn't it almost always be implied that he's repairing the hole for everyone that putts after him (including his FC)?

The spike mark rule/decision is cut and dry. Thanks.

[gbower]

Why else would he do it other than to help smooth it out for his fellow competitors. Best to wait until everyone is finished putting out otherwise they would definitely be subject to penalty. I think the decision is pretty clear.

[sensfan63]

Why else would he do it other than to help smooth it out for his fellow competitors. Best to wait until everyone is finished putting out otherwise they would definitely be subject to penalty. I think the decision is pretty clear.

That decision is poorly worded, IMO. Why don't they just say "If a player who has holed out fixes the hole, and there are players still to putt, that player is in violation..."

Instead, they use "primary purpose." Might be an opportunity to clear up the wording.

There is an instance when one MAY fix the hole prior to putting, is there not? If your approach shot damages the cup, you are allowed to fix the damage, I believe...

[gbower]

16-1a/6 Damaged Hole; Procedure for Player

Q. Prior to putting, a player discovers that the hole has been damaged. What is the proper procedure?

A. If the damage is not clearly identifiable as a ball mark, then:

(a) If the damage is such that the proper dimensions of the hole have not been changed materially, the player should continue play without repairing the hole. If he touches the hole in such circumstances, a breach of Rule 16-1a occurs.

(b) If the proper dimensions of the hole have been changed materially, the player should request the Committee to have the hole repaired. If a Committee member is not readily available, the player may repair the damage, without penalty.

If a player repairs a materially damaged hole when a Committee member is readily available, he incurs a penalty for a breach of
Rule 16-1a.

Relocating Hole After Ball Already Positioned Nearby on Putting Green — See 33-2b/2.