Sometimes it can be hard to see where a fringe ends and a putting surface begins. Do you need to get the paint out?
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
If you’ve played some courses, you’ll know that the turf can be so good that it’s difficult to see where the fairway or fringe gives way to the green.
It can be a testament to the superb work of greenkeepers and course set-up, but it can also throw up a couple of issues.
Firstly, you don’t want golfers accidentally pushing their trolleys across the farther reaches of a green blissfully unaware their wheels were trespassing on the hallowed turf.
Secondly, there are some Rules of Golf where it’s important to know whether you’re on one part of the course or another.
You’re allowed to lift and mark your ball on the green, for example, but picking it up in the fairway or the fringe might cause your golfers to get an unnecessary penalty.
And if they didn’t know they were falling foul, because the boundaries were unclear, then they will be pointing fingers in the direction of competition organisers.
So what should you do?
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Marking the edge of putting greens
Normally, there won’t be too much need to act. The fringe and green will be clearly defined and everyone will know where to stand.
But on those occasions where it’s difficult to find the edge of the green, there is guidance from The R&A’s committee procedures on how to act.
Perhaps the surrounding areas are cut to a similar height as the green. If that’s the case, the Committee “may wish to paint lines or dots to define the edge of the putting green”.
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There is a Local Rule – Model Local Rule D1 – which helps competition organisers clarify the status of these dots.
It asks clubs to define whether lines or dots are being used, as well as the colour, and whether they are on or off the green.
It states that “free relief is not available from the dots/lines”.
That is to likely stop golfers confusing them with other relief procedures, such as ground under repair, and trying to take relief if either their ball is on the dots or lines or their stance is on them.
Key takeaways
- Unclear boundaries can create rules problems – if golfers can’t reliably tell if they’re on the green or not, it can increase the risk of accidental penalties
- If putting greens do require marking, clearly define how those markings are used (whether that is by lines or dots, colours, and whether they are on or off the green).
- Ensure golfers know the markings themselves do not provide free relief
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
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