Can an aide lift my ball on the green without asking me?

Yes, an aide can lift your ball on the green without your permission. Rule 25.5d modifies Rule 14.1b so that a player with an intellectual disability's aide may lift the ball on the putting green without the player's authorization, in addition to the caddie.

Who counts as an aide

An aide is someone the Committee assigns to help a specific player with an intellectual disability. Under the Rules, an aide has the same status as a caddie but with extra restrictions. The player can get advice from both the aide and a caddie at the same time. A supervisor is different — they're not assigned to one player and can't give advice.

What Rule 25.5d actually changes

Normally, only you or your caddie can lift your ball on the putting green without asking first (Rule 14.1b). Rule 25.5d adds your aide to that list. So if your ball is on the green, your aide can pick it up — mark it, clean it, replace it — without you saying a word. This only applies on the putting green, not anywhere else on the course.

Limits you should know

You can only have one aide at a time. If you have more, you get the general penalty for each hole where the breach happened. The aide also can't carry or handle your clubs except to help with stance or lining up (if the Committee allows it), or as a courtesy like a caddie would. If the aide handles clubs beyond that, you've effectively got two caddies and take the general penalty per hole.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The aide lifts the ball off the putting green → Rule 25.5d doesn't apply — only the player or caddie may lift without authorization elsewhere.
• The player has more than one aide at a time → The player gets the general penalty for each hole where the breach occurred (Rule 25.5b).
• The aide handles clubs beyond helping with stance or lining up → The player is treated as having two caddies and gets the general penalty for each hole (Rule 25.5c).

Frequently asked questions

Can any aide lift the ball, or only one the Committee approved?

Only an aide the Committee has assigned to you. A random helper or a supervisor can't lift your ball without your okay.

Does this work in the fairway or a bunker too?

No. Rule 25.5d only modifies the rule for the putting green. Off the green, only you or your caddie can lift without authorization.

What if my aide isn't officially authorized by the Committee?

Then they're not your aide under the Rules — they're an outside influence. They can't lift your ball without your permission, and if they do, you replace it without penalty but they shouldn't have touched it.

Can my aide also be my caddie?

Yes, the same person can serve as both aide and caddie. You can also have a separate aide and a separate caddie at the same time.

What happens if my aide lifts my ball when they shouldn't have?

If it's on the green and they're your authorized aide, it's fine — that's exactly what Rule 25.5d allows. If it's off the green or they're not your aide, you replace the ball without penalty (Rule 9.4), but the lift wasn't authorized.