What happens if your ball lands on the wrong green?

The situation

Your ball ends up on a putting green that belongs to a different hole — a common situation when two greens are close together or a shot overshoot lands on a neighbouring hole's surface.

The rule

Under Rule 13.1f, when your ball is on a putting green other than the one for the hole you are playing, you must take free relief. Unlike most relief situations, this one is mandatory — you are not allowed to play from the wrong green even if you wanted to. Find the nearest point of complete relief that is: off the wrong green surface, not nearer the hole you're playing, and not on any other putting green. Drop within one club length of that point. The relief spot will typically be in the fringe or rough just off the green edge.

Real example

Your approach to the 7th hole overshoots and lands on the 8th green. You cannot putt from there. Find the nearest point off the 8th green surface that gives you a clear stance and swing — probably the fringe a step off the green. Drop within one club length, play your next shot from there.

What to do on the course

• Do not attempt to play from the wrong green — it is prohibited
• The NPCR must be off the putting surface (fringe counts as off the green)
• Relief is in the general area — the nearest fringe or rough, wherever the NPCR falls
• You may end up with a chip or pitch from the fringe rather than a putt — that is the correct result

Penalty

No penalty. Free relief is mandatory and always available from a wrong green.