Ball overhanging the hole — how long can I wait?

You get a reasonable time to walk to the hole plus ten extra seconds to see if it falls. If it drops during that window, the previous stroke counts as holed. If it doesn't, the ball is treated as at rest — and if it later falls before you play it, you still hole out but add one penalty stroke.

What counts as "reasonable time" to reach the hole

Reasonable time isn't a fixed number — it depends on where you hit from and what's happening on the green. If you chipped from 50 yards off the green, it might take several minutes to walk up while others play and everyone converges. You also get time for your natural reaction — that moment of watching, hoping, maybe a little jump — before you start walking. The clock doesn't start until you could realistically be there.

The ten-second waiting window

Once you're at the hole, you get exactly ten seconds to wait and see if the ball falls. Those ten seconds are yours — no one can rush you, tap the flagstick, or do anything to influence it. If the ball drops within those ten seconds, you're done: the previous stroke holed it, no penalty. If it's still perched after ten seconds, the ball is officially at rest.

What happens if it falls later — or someone touches it

If the ball sits there after your ten seconds, then falls on its own before you make your next stroke, you still hole out with the previous stroke — but you add one penalty stroke to your score for the hole. If anyone (including you) lifts or moves the ball before the waiting time ends, the ball must be replaced on the lip and the waiting time is cancelled — it's treated as at rest right then. In match play, if your opponent deliberately moves it, it's counted as holed with no penalty to them. In stroke play, the person who moved it gets two penalty strokes.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You remove the flagstick and that causes the overhanging ball to move → Replace the ball on the lip with no penalty — the flagstick is a movable obstruction. The waiting time ends immediately and the ball is treated as at rest.
• Your opponent in match play deliberately lifts or moves your overhanging ball before the waiting time ends → Your ball is treated as holed with the previous stroke, and your opponent gets no penalty.
• Another player in stroke play deliberately lifts or moves your overhanging ball before the waiting time ends → That player gets the general penalty (two strokes). Your ball must be replaced on the lip.

Frequently asked questions

How long is "reasonable time" if I hit from the fairway?

It's however long it takes you to walk to the hole at a normal pace, including any wait while others play or you walk around their lines. Could be several minutes — there's no fixed limit.

Can I tap the flagstick or blow on the ball to make it fall?

No. You can't do anything to influence the ball during the ten-second wait. If you cause it to move, the waiting time ends and the ball is replaced on the lip.

What if the ball falls after my ten seconds but before I putt?

It counts as holed with your previous stroke, but you add one penalty stroke to your score for the hole.

My playing partner walked up and tapped my ball in before my ten seconds were up. What now?

In stroke play, your partner gets two penalty strokes. Your ball goes back on the lip and the waiting time is cancelled — it's treated as at rest.

Does the ten seconds start when the ball stops or when I get to the hole?

When you reach the hole. You get reasonable time to get there first, then the ten-second clock starts.