What happens if I intentionally damage the green or the course?

If you deliberately damage the green or the course, it's treated as serious misconduct. There's no automatic penalty in the Rules themselves, but the Committee can disqualify you on the spot. Many competitions also have a Code of Conduct that adds stroke penalties for this kind of behavior.

What the Rules actually say

Rule 1.2a expects players to take good care of the course — replace divots, smooth bunkers, repair ball-marks, and not cause unnecessary damage. But here's the thing: the Rules don't attach a penalty for failing to do that. The only teeth in the rulebook is that the Committee can disqualify you for serious misconduct if they decide your actions were so far outside what's expected in golf that kicking you out is justified. The official interpretation spells it out: deliberately causing serious damage to a putting green is the kind of thing that counts as serious misconduct.

How it plays out in a real competition

Most tournaments adopt a Code of Conduct under Rule 1.2b as a Local Rule. That Code can set specific penalties — one stroke, the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play) — for breaches like damaging the course. The Committee can also still disqualify you for serious misconduct even if there's a Code. So depending on the event, you might get a warning, a stroke penalty, or sent home. The Committee has discretion: they can warn you first that a repeat means disqualification instead of tossing you immediately.

What counts as "serious" damage

Not every scuff mark rises to this level. The interpretation points to deliberately causing serious damage to a putting green — think gouging the surface with a putter, stomping on the cup, or carving initials. A divot on the fairway you forgot to replace isn't serious misconduct. But if you lose your temper and slash the green, that's the line. The Committee looks at all the circumstances: intent, extent of damage, whether it affected other players.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The competition has a Code of Conduct with specific penalties for course damage → You'll get whatever penalty the Code sets (often one stroke or the general penalty) before disqualification is considered
• The Committee decides the misconduct isn't "serious" enough for disqualification → They may warn you that any repeat will mean disqualification, instead of removing you immediately

Frequently asked questions

Can I be disqualified just for damaging the green once?

Yes. If the Committee decides deliberately causing serious damage to a putting green is serious misconduct, they can disqualify you on the first offense. The interpretation explicitly lists this as likely serious misconduct.

Is there an automatic two-stroke penalty for damaging the course?

No. The Rules of Golf don't assign any automatic penalty for damaging the course. Penalties only come from a Committee's Code of Conduct (if they adopted one) or from disqualification for serious misconduct.

What if I accidentally damage the green — like my putter slips?

Accidental damage isn't serious misconduct. You're expected to repair it, but there's no penalty unless a Code of Conduct says otherwise. The key word is "deliberately."

Does the Committee have to disqualify me for serious misconduct?

No. Even if they find serious misconduct, they can choose to warn you that a repeat will mean disqualification instead of disqualifying you right away. It's their call based on the circumstances.

What's the difference between a Code of Conduct penalty and disqualification?

A Code of Conduct penalty is a set number of strokes (usually one or two) that the Committee predefined. Disqualification removes you from the competition entirely — it's the nuclear option for behavior so far outside golf's spirit that you can't stay in the event.