Facts

On the putting green of the 9th and finishing hole of an individual weekend stroke play competition at BMCC, Player DJ faced a mere 8-footer to salvage his par after nice shot from the left green-side bunker. He reached to brush away a couple of sand deposits in his line, and then abruptly caught himself, rising and asking his fellow-competitors if he could brush away the sand with the palm of his hand.

Was he simply being cautious playing with Foremost? (Perhaps he had heard Reader, JS, bitterly relaying the story of F calling an infraction on him one day, on the very first hole, after JS brushed sand on the fringe lying in the line of his birdie putt).

In F’s eyes, no such concern was warranted in this case, however, as sand is a “loose impediment”, by definition, on the putting green. F quickly advised DJ that, yes, he could use the palm of his hand. F thought he remembered a Decision to this effect.

DJ’s caddy, G, intervened. He advised DJ that it would indeed be a violation to use his hand, and that he should use a cap or towel, as the use of the hand could be interpreted as testing the grain.

F said, with all due respect, that G was mistaken. G said, with all due respect, that F was mistaken, that he was a Division I collegiate golfer, and that this situation had arisen before, and that he was certain he had been instructed not use his hand to wipe sand away on the putting green.

DJ was not wearing a cap or carrying a towel, nor did he ask anyone for either. Erring on the side of caution after this exchange (which he had rated a draw, as both advocates were confident of their own respective positions and credentials), and without brushing the sand from his line by any means whatsoever, he quickly struck his putt which hopped and meandered, falling hopelessly short after weaving its way through the sand.

Issue

Who was correct, F or Caddy G? May a Player use the palm of his hand to brush away sand on the putting green?

Ruling

Actually, both F and Caddy G were correct …in part.

A Player may use a cap or towel to brush away sand on the putting green only, provided he does not press anything down. R16-1a(I); Dec16-1a/8. Likewise, a Player may use the palm of his hand. Dec. 16-1a/9. This Decision addressing the use of the hand reiterates the prohibition against pressing anything down, and it introduces a further prohibition against “testing” the surface of the putting green (checking the grain). R16-1d.

The Player incurs a two-stroke penalty for violation of R16-1 in stroke play and LOH In match play.

Caddy G is obviously a product of some good coaching. The Decision goes on to state that when the hand is used, any doubt as to pressing down “should be resolved against the player.” Accordingly, a thoughtful player may not wish to assume the risk of any factual dispute or misunderstanding on this issue.

F is delighted to be able to clarify this rule.

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F