Golf – Playing on the Green - Rules, etiquette, and practical tips

Below you will find the most important rules for play on the green: what you may and may not do, how to read putts, and how to handle special situations such as a moving ball, water on the green, and overhanging balls.

Marking and picking up the ball

You may always pick up the ball on the green to clean it or to avoid having other players hit your ball.

Marking the ball
The ball must always be marked before it is lifted, which is typically done with a marker or a coin. The marker is placed directly behind the ball.

Replacing the ball
The ball must be replaced in exactly the same spot where it was picked up. This is done by placing the ball directly in front of the marker. It is permitted to rotate the ball so that any markings on the ball can help you aim at the correct line.

Accidental movement of ball or marker
If you accidentally move the ball or marker, it is normally without penalty. The ball or marker is replaced in its original position.

Reading the line

Reading the line is a skill that almost seems magical to new players, as it requires experience to read the green correctly.

Reading the green Reading the green is about finding low and high points. One option is to kneel down behind the ball and look toward the flag. Another option is to walk around the ball and hole to sense the slope.

You may not...

improve the conditions by pressing a groove.
roll a ball over the line to test the green.
have a caddie or fellow player standing on the extension of your putting line behind you when you take your stance and stroke.

Hole and flagstick

When putting, the flag can be both your friend and your enemy. The stick can stop a ball that is moving past the flag at high speed. It can also be the reason the ball cannot go in the hole if it is leaning.

Image of golf ball and flagstick

Here are the most important points:

You may putt with the flagstick in, without the flagstick, or have it attended.
If your ball from the green hits the flagstick in the hole, there is no penalty.
A ball that wedges against the flagstick and has part of the ball below the lip of the hole is holed.
Overhanging ball: You have reasonable time to reach the hole + an additional 10 seconds. If it falls in before then, it is holed without extra; if it falls in after, one penalty stroke is added.

What can you repair on the green?

You may repair damage on the green – e.g. pitch marks, shoe/spike marks, ball marks, and damage from animals. You may not repair normal wear or aeration holes.

Sand and loose soil may be removed on the green (also different from the rest of the course).
Loose natural objects (leaves, small branches) may be removed.
Repair damage gently – without “shaping” a groove in your line.

If the ball moves on the green

Before marking/lifting: If the ball moves due to wind or slope, play it from the new spot.
After replacing: If the ball later moves for natural reasons, it should normally be returned to its marked spot.
Accidental touching: If you accidentally move the ball or marker on the green, there is no penalty; replace it.

If a moving ball hits something

If a fellow player, equipment, or flagstick on the green is accidentally hit, there is normally no penalty; play the ball as it lies.
Intent or attempt to influence a moving ball can result in a penalty and, in serious cases, disqualification.

Relief on the green (water/GUR etc.)

Temporary water or abnormal course condition on the green: free relief by placing the ball at the nearest point of full relief on the green (not nearer the hole).
Sand/loose soil: Just remove it – no relief procedure necessary.
Hole plug/areas under repair: If it is GUR on the green, free relief applies as above.

Order, “ready golf” and etiquette

Order: The player furthest from the hole normally plays first. In regular play, ready golf is encouraged to save time – when it is safe.
Silence and positioning: Avoid standing in fellow players’ line of sight or casting a shadow over their line. Be quiet.
Tread carefully: Walk around others’ putting lines; avoid making deep marks with your shoes.
Flagstick: Agree whether it should be in, out, or attended. Lay it down carefully so it does not damage the green.
Pace of play: Prepare while others are playing. Finish putting if you are close to the hole and it is safe.
Clean up: Repair pitch marks, remove sand/loose soil, and replace any green-explaining material if necessary.

Typical penalty situations (short overview)

Situation	Rule/action	Penalty stroke
Accidental movement of ball/marker on the green	Replace	0
Deliberate improvement of putting line (e.g. pressing a groove)	Illegal improvement	General penalty (typically +2)
Caddie/fellow player stands on the line behind you at stance/stroke	Positioning violation	General penalty
Ball putted from green hits the flagstick in the hole	Permitted	0
Overhanging ball falls in after 10 seconds	Holed with one extra stroke	+1

Remember: The green rules are made to keep play flowing and to protect the finest surface on the course. Mark correctly, play at a good pace, and repair after yourself – it will make the round better for everyone.