What do the rules say about a caddie replacing your ball on the green?
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The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? He’s got all the answers.
Can a pro golfer have his caddie place the ball on the green for him? —Dale Tateyama, Blaine, Wash.
Only if he gives the caddie half his winnings for the week. We kid!
Under Rule 14.2b, only the player, the player’s partner (if there is one) or the person who originally lifted the ball or caused it to move is allowed to replace it, so, unless that final situation is the case, the player would get one penalty stroke if his looper did the honors.
Rules Guy: Can you take advice from a caddie who’s also your playing partner?
For more caddie-related guidance from our guru, read on …
Can my caddie help repair ball marks or spike marks on my line on the green? —Fred D. Anderson, via email
First off, you should tip him or her generously at the completion of play for doing so.
And, yes, Rule 10.3b(1) specifies actions a caddie is always allowed to take, and such repair is indeed one such action.
Conversely, blaming your caddie for misreads is an action players are always allowed to take under golf’s unwritten rules, yet Rules Guy finds this beneath contempt.
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Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.
