Caddie standing behind me to help aim
Yes, there's a penalty. Once you begin taking your stance, your caddie must not deliberately stand on or near your line of play behind the ball — if they do, you get the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play) under Rule 10.2b(4).
What the rule actually says
Rule 10.2b(4) draws a bright line: the moment you start to take your stance for the stroke, your caddie cannot be standing deliberately in the restricted area behind you on or close to your line of play. It doesn't matter if they're trying to help you aim, checking your alignment, or just watching — if they're there on purpose when you set your feet, the breach has occurred. The penalty is the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. You can't fix it by stepping away and re-addressing the ball once the caddie has been in that spot while you began your stance.
When your caddie can be behind you
Your caddie is allowed to stand behind you before you begin taking your stance. They can line you up, point out a target, or help you pick a spot — but they must move away before you start to set your feet for the stroke. The interpretation 10.2b(4)/1 makes this clear: the restriction only kicks in once you've begun taking your stance. So the sequence matters: caddie helps, caddie leaves, then you step in and take your stance. If they're still there when you start, it's a penalty.
Common scenarios on the course
On the putting green, this comes up most often. Your caddie reads the putt, stands behind you to confirm the line, and you step in — if they haven't moved to the side before your feet are set, you've breached the rule. Off the green it's rarer but still applies: a caddie holding a club up as an alignment aid behind you while you take your stance is the same breach. The rule doesn't distinguish between green and fairway; the restricted area is anywhere on or close to your line of play behind the ball once the stance begins.
Exceptions that change the answer
- Caddie stands behind the player before the player begins taking their stance → No penalty — the caddie may help with alignment or aim, but must move away before the player starts to set their feet for the stroke (Interpretation 10.2b(4)/1).
- Caddie inadvertently stands in the restricted area without deliberate intent → No penalty — the rule only applies to deliberate standing in the restricted area. Accidental or momentary presence isn't a breach.
Frequently asked questions
Can my caddie stand behind me to line up my putt?
Yes, but only before you start taking your stance. Once you begin to set your feet, they must be out of the restricted area behind you on your line of play. If they're still there when you take your stance, it's a two-stroke penalty (or loss of hole in match play).
What if I back away and re-address after my caddie was behind me?
That doesn't erase the penalty. Rule 10.2b(4) says once you've begun taking your stance with the caddie in the restricted area, the breach has occurred — stepping away and starting over doesn't fix it.
Does this apply off the putting green too?
Yes. The rule applies anywhere on the course — fairway, rough, tee box, bunker. Anywhere you take a stance, your caddie can't be deliberately behind you on your line of play once you start.
What counts as 'beginning to take a stance'?
It's when you start positioning your feet for the stroke. The interpretation is practical: if you're still walking in, chatting, or looking at the target without feet set, you haven't begun. Once feet go into position for the shot, the clock starts.
My caddie held a club up behind me as an alignment aid — is that allowed?
No. That's a deliberate act to help you aim while you're taking your stance, which breaches both Rule 10.2b(3) (setting an object for alignment) and 10.2b(4) (caddie in restricted area). Two-stroke penalty / loss of hole.