Rules question needs answering for conference championship.
Can you stand on someones line extended back through the cup and ball. Basically, have player B stand behind player A while player A putts so that player B can see the line.

Need citation if you have it.
Thanks

I don't have a citation but I think its only allowed in best ball.....I also think there has to be some intent as player B could say he wasn't standing there with the intent of getting the line...I'll let the experts decide the conference championship...

See Rule 14-2b. In making a stroke, a player must not: allow his caddie, his partner or his partner's caddie to position himself on or close to an extension of the line of play or the line of putt behind the ball.

You can stand behind the line of the putt to help line up the shot, but you must step away before your partner makes a stroke. Rule 14-2b is indeed the case.

Is it fair to say, though, that as a competitor, you are always entitled to stand in a line with your own ball or mark, even if it is very close to the competitors? (a respectful distance back, of course). Or ....... must you always stand to the side regardless? And a follow-up ------ can you move once the ball has been stroked?

These answer the question for a partner/ caddie but not an opponent. What about that?

The partner the rule refers to is your playing partner, which during a tournament would also be your competitor.

"In stroke-play foursome and four-ball competitions, where the context so admits, the word "competitor" or "fellow-competitor" includes his partner."

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/ru...html#Competitor

The only time it is normally accepted practice to stand behind your partner as he hits a putt is during captain's choice tournaments, which are not an officially recognized format for play within the USGA Rules of Golf. If the player allows his partner (teammate) to stand behind his ball as he putts during any other team format, he incurs a penalty and his partner incurs the penalty as well.

"If a competitor's breach of a Rule assists his partner's play, the partner incurs the applicable penalty in addition to any penalty incurred by the competitor."

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/ru...ule31.html#31-8

If standing behind your ball would put you on the line behind your playing partner's ball, then you should be putting first as that would mean your ball is furthest from the hole.



Yes. Pay attention to the pros and you will notice that they do this whenever they have a putt on a similar line.

Not necessarily. Your ball could be a foot in front of your partners and be marked off to the side slightly. This wouldput you in line with your own ball and your partners, while still being last to putt.

I am assuming that judging by the other posts here it would still not be acceptable even if your own ball was on the same line. This would pretty much be the only time you would want to stand behind your opponents line anyways, because why else would you want to be right behind him if not trying to get the line for your own putt?