The rules of golf are difficult! Luckily we have the guru. Our Rules Man knows the book from cover to cover. Do you have a question? He has all the answers.
Every week, GOLF’s rules expert answers all your most burning questions about the game. As anyone who plays knows, strange things can happen during a round of golf. Sometimes the right thing to do can confuse even the most seasoned player.
But providing clarity to these confusing conundrums is where Rules Guy excels. This year, Rules Guy covered topics — submitted by golfers like you! – ranging from what to do if your ball hits a cart path and moves backwards and the legality of marking your ball on the side, to whether you can clean your ball after it has rolled through the ground under repair and whether or not you can replace your ball if it is blown off the green by the wind.
But there was one question this year that concerned something mundane: are you allowed to stand directly behind someone while he or she is putting?
Rules Guy published his response in July and it ended up being the most read column of the year. Do you know the answer? You can read Rules Guy’s Q&A below, or you can view the originally published column by clicking here.
The most read Rules Guy column of the year: Is it legal for another player to stand directly behind me while I putt?
In an individual stroke play match, may a player stand directly behind me while I am putting, to help him determine his line? Is the rule different for competition with the best ball? — Bokkie Gerber, via email
Yes – with caveats – and yes.
In individual stroke play, no rule prohibits another player from standing in front of himself on an extension of the playing line behind your ball. However, if the player distracts you and you ask him or her to move, he or she must do so; While the Rules do not prevent you from standing behind someone in this case, it is certainly considered poor etiquette. (If it is unlikely that the other player gave advice or helped you in some way, it may be a violation of Rule 10.2b(4) or 10.2a.)
However, in foursomes, Rules 22.6 and 23.8 prohibit your partner from being in that position to learn anything for his own putt, otherwise he will receive the general penalty.
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Do you have a question about the Rules? Ask the rules man! Send your questions, confusion and comments to ruleguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.
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