What happens if I move a divot on the green before putting?

If the divot is damage like a ball mark or spike mark, you can fix it for free. If it's natural wear or an aeration hole, touching it costs you the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play.

When you can fix it for free

Rule 13.1c lets you repair damage on the putting green without penalty. Damage includes ball marks, shoe damage like spike marks, old hole plugs, animal tracks, and embedded objects like stones or tees. If the divot is any of these — say a chunk of turf gouged out by a previous player's club or a spike mark — you can tap it down or repair it with your hand, foot, putter, or a repair tool. No penalty, no problem.

When it costs you strokes

You cannot repair natural wear of the hole, aeration holes, grooves from vertical mowing, bare or diseased patches, or anything caused by irrigation, rain, or normal maintenance. If the divot is just the green wearing out or an aeration hole, improving it breaches Rule 8.1a. That's the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. The same goes if you go beyond reasonable repair — like creating a pathway to the hole.

What about sand or loose soil?

Sand and loose soil on the green are different. Rule 13.1c(1) says you can remove them anywhere on the putting green, no penalty, no questions asked. So if the divot left a pile of loose dirt or sand, brush it away. But if the divot itself is a turf plug sitting in the ground, that's damage — repair it if it's man-made damage, leave it alone if it's natural wear.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The divot is actually sand or loose soil on the green → You may remove it without penalty under Rule 13.1c(1).
• The divot is an old hole plug or turf plug from maintenance → It counts as damage and you may repair it under Rule 13.1c(2).
• The divot is natural wear, an aeration hole, or a bare patch → You must not touch it. Improving it gets you the general penalty.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tap down a divot on my line of putt?

Only if that divot is damage — a ball mark, spike mark, old hole plug, or similar. If it's natural wear or an aeration hole, tapping it down costs you the general penalty.

What if I accidentally kick a divot on the green?

No penalty for accidentally moving anything on the putting green, including a divot. Just replace it if you moved it, or leave it if you made things worse — but don't improve it beyond restoring the original condition.

Is an old hole plug considered a divot?

Yes, an old hole plug is explicitly listed as damage on the putting green under Rule 13.1c. You can repair it for free.

What if my ball is sitting in a divot on the green?

Play it as it lies. You cannot repair the divot if it would improve your lie, line of play, or stance. If the divot is damage, you can repair it after your ball is gone — not while your ball sits in it.

Can I fix a divot on the fringe or apron?

No. Rule 13.1c only applies on the putting green. On the fringe, a divot is not damage you can repair — touching it to improve conditions breaches Rule 8.1a and draws the general penalty.