What happens if I kick a divot or grass to improve my lie on the putting green?

On the putting green you can repair divots and damage with your foot or a tool, but if you kick grass just to improve your lie rather than restore the surface, it's a two-stroke penalty for improving conditions affecting your stroke.

What you're allowed to fix on the green

Rule 13.1c lets you do two things on the putting green without penalty: remove sand and loose soil, and repair damage. "Damage" includes ball marks, spike marks, old hole plugs, animal tracks, and embedded objects like stones or tees. You can use your hand, foot, a ball-mark repair tool, tee, club, or similar normal equipment — as long as you're reasonably restoring the green to its original condition and not delaying play.

When fixing becomes improving (and costs you)

The line is intent and extent. Tapping down a divot you created or smoothing a spike mark on your line is repair. Kicking or scraping grass to create a better lie, flatten a path to the hole, or change the surface beyond original condition is improving — and that's the general penalty (two strokes) under Rule 8.1a. The same applies if you use something not allowed, like a towel or your hat, to smooth the surface.

What doesn't count as damage you can fix

You can't "repair" aeration holes, vertical mowing grooves, bare or diseased patches, weeds, or natural wear of the hole — those are maintenance practices or natural imperfections, not damage. If the hole is damaged pulling the flagstick, you can fix it. If it's just worn round from play, you leave it.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You deliberately roughen or scrape the green to test grain or speed → That's testing the putting green — not allowed anywhere on the green, penalty applies.
• The hole is damaged (e.g., from flagstick removal) → You may repair the hole under the damage rules, even if dimensions changed, unless it's natural wear.
• You place a ball for relief on the green and it moves → It's treated as lifted and replaced — you must replace it on the spot.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tap down a divot on the green with my putter head?

Yes. Using your putter to press down a divot or ball mark counts as repair with allowed equipment, no penalty.

What if I accidentally kick a divot while walking to my ball?

No penalty if it's accidental. The rule only penalizes deliberate improvement beyond reasonable restoration.

Can I fix spike marks on my line of putt?

Yes. Spike marks are explicitly listed as damage you may repair on the putting green.

What's the penalty for improving my lie on the green?

Two strokes (the general penalty) for breach of Rule 8.1a, applied when your actions exceed reasonable restoration.

Can I repair a divot on the fringe or fairway the same way?

No. Rule 13.1 only applies on the putting green. Off the green, improving conditions affecting your stroke is not allowed.