[Galanga]

I was in a tournament. The hole was damaged probably by a flagstick. After I holed out, I "repaired" the hole back to round with my ball. My playing partner said you can't do this. I thought he could not do it before he putted but I could. But, I definitely don't know what is the right answer. I don't see this situation described directly in the rules.

What's the rule?

Thanks.

[kevcarter]

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.

[PingG10]

Kev,

So is the inference from the quoted rule that it is o.k. to repair the hole "after" the hole is complete?

[kevcarter]

PingG10 , on Feb 24 2009, 08:58 AM, said:

Kev,

So is the inference from the quoted rule that it is o.k. to repair the hole "after" the hole is complete?

Yes Sir. The most telling sentence is the last in 16-1c, in my opinion

Kevin

c. Repair of Hole Plugs, Ball Marks and Other Damage

The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not the player's ball lies on the putting green. If a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of the repair, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of repairing an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball. Otherwise, Rule 18 applies.

Any other damage to the putting green must not be repaired if it might assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole.

[Galanga]

As PingG10 said, by inference it seems OK if I repaired the hole after I or my team played because it would not "assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole." Someone did say in the tournament that my entire foursome would have to be complete with the hole before I could repair it. However, the logic of that doesn't seem to work. It seems to say that I can repair the hole for the rest of the field but not for the rest of my group - doesn't make sense to me. But the etiquette "rule" - "On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired..." seems to indicate the rules would be in favor of the entire group of players being complete with the hole before you repair it.


The best position, I think, is to not touch anything but ball marks, hole plugs and loose impediments on the green. If there is serious issue with the cup, call the illusive "Committee."

[KMaren]

I witnessed this live once at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee. Most of the players were hitting into this hole from 140ish. One of the players almost dunked it. In doing so, he damaged the rim of the cup. That group stopped play until a rules official hustled over and fixed it. It took about 10 minutes before it was all done. I would think that in a tourney you could fix the damage at any time as long as your playing partners/opponents don't have issue with it.

[limpwrist]

Quote

Most of the players were hitting into this hole from 140ish. One of the players almost dunked it. In doing so, he damaged the rim of the cup. That group stopped play until a rules official hustled over and fixed it.

In that case, the players could have repaired the hole themselves rather than wait for an official as the damage was caused by the impact of a ball.

[PingG10]

Thanks Kev-it is what I've always thought and how I interpreted the rule-it actually came up last weekend during our club's opening of season, Tombstone-since our elusive "committee" really is the tournament director I fixed a damaged hole after our foursome putted out. Got some razzing from one of our local rules "experts" and pointed him to this rule and used exactly my prior argument-he still holds fast to his, I believe, incorrect interpretation but since he isn't on our rules committee it doesn't really matter anyway!!!

[limpwrist]

Quote

I fixed a damaged hole after our foursome putted out

You could have fixed the damage to the hole before you putted out if you knew for certain that the damage was caused by the impact of a ball. If the damage was not "clearly identifiable as a ball mark," you would have to call a committee member to make the repair (you can make the repair if a committee member is not readily available). Either way, the damage can be repaired before you putt out if the dimensions of the hole have been changed materially by the damage.

[PingG10]

The dimensions of the hole hadn't been, in my opinion, changed "materially" as required by the rule. The damage appeared to be due to crappy hole cutting by our greens crew coupled with poor handling of a flagstick. Anyway, a piece of the edge of the hole (beneath the turf) was hanging down creating a noticeable "dip" in the edge of the hole but the diameter of the hole was pretty much nominal.