Putting Green Etiquette: What You Can and Can't Do

Why the green has special rules

The putting green is the most delicate part of the course: the shortest grass, the most intensively maintained surface, and the zone where every hole's result is decided. For this reason, both the Rules of Golf and etiquette have more specific provisions for the green than for any other area of the course.

The most relevant Rule for conduct on the green is Rule 13, which covers the putting green in full: what you can touch, what you can repair, and how the flagstick is managed.

The line of putt: don't step on it

The line of putt is the path the player expects their ball to travel from its current position to the hole. Stepping on another player's line of putt is a serious breach of etiquette — it can indent or alter the surface and directly affect the result of their stroke.

Practical rule: when moving around the green, always walk behind another player's ball, never between the ball and the hole. If you must cross someone's line of putt, step as close to the hole as possible (where the turf has already been pressed by the flagstick base) or as close to the ball as possible (well away from the active putting line).

Stepping on another player's line of putt is not penalised under the Rules for you, but it's considered a serious breach of etiquette that can create tension within the group.

Repairing damage on the green: the 2019 rule

Since the 2019 Rules update (Rule 13.1c(2)), players may repair damage on the putting green caused by any person or outside influence. This includes:

• Ball marks (pitchmarks)
• Spike marks
• Footprint impressions
• Indentations made by clubs, bags, or other equipment
• Damage caused by animals or birds

What cannot be repaired (without receiving a penalty):

• Natural irregularities in the soil (grain, moss)
• Normal wear along the path to the hole
• Marks from mowing or rolling

When to repair: always repair your ball mark before putting, and also repair any others you see on a partner's line as you move around the green. An unrepaired ball mark takes days to recover; a well-repaired one heals in hours.

The flagstick: rules since 2019

Since 2019 (Rule 13.2), a player may leave the flagstick in while putting. There is no penalty if the ball from the green hits the unattended flagstick. This significantly speeds up play — no more managing the flag on every hole.

Options available on the green:

• Leave the flagstick in and putt (even if the ball hits the flagstick)
• Remove the flagstick before playing
• Have someone tend the flagstick ("attend the flag") and remove it as the ball approaches — mainly used when the hole is hard to see from where the ball lies

If you play from off the green and the ball hits an unattended flagstick that was in the hole, there is a 2-stroke penalty (stroke play) or loss of hole (match play).

Position while partners are putting

When the group is putting, there are unwritten positioning rules:

• Don't stand in the player's line of sight or peripheral vision
• Don't make sudden movements or sounds while a player is in their routine
• When you're the first to finish on the green, remove your ball and step away; don't stand over the hole waiting for the others
• Don't mark the scorecard on the green — this is responsible for significant time loss. Wait until you've left the green or until you're at the next tee

Marking your ball

Always mark your ball on the green before lifting it. The marker must be placed directly behind the ball, not to the side or in front.

If your ball marker interferes with another player's line of putt or view, they may ask you to move it one or more putter-head lengths to the side (they indicate the direction). When replacing the ball, the process is exactly reversed.

Leaving the green promptly

Once all players have finished the hole, leave the green immediately. Don't wait on the green to write scores on the scorecard — do it at the next tee. This is one of the most ignored and most impactful etiquette rules for pace: a group that spends 2 minutes on the green after each hole loses 36 minutes per round without realising it.