What happens if you move a divot on the putting green?
You can move a loose divot on the putting green without penalty — it counts as loose soil under Rule 13.1c(1). You can also repair a divot hole as damage on the green under Rule 13.1c(2), but only using allowed tools and without improving beyond the original condition.
Loose divot lying on the green
A divot (the piece of turf) sitting loose on the putting green is treated as loose soil. Rule 13.1c(1) lets you remove sand and loose soil on the putting green without penalty, so you can simply pick it up and toss it aside. No need to mark your ball first, and there's no penalty if the ball moves while you're doing it — just replace it.
Divot hole (the depression) on the green
A divot hole is damage caused by a player's stroke, and Rule 13.1c(2) explicitly lists ball marks and scrapes or indentations caused by equipment as damage you may repair. You can fix it by tapping it down with your hand, foot, putter head, ball-mark repair tool, tee, or similar normal equipment. You must not use anything unusual (like a bottle cap or a knife) and you can't unreasonably delay play.
What you can't do
You cross the line into a general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play) if you improve the green beyond restoring it to its original condition — for example, pressing down a path to the hole, smoothing a wider area than the divot hole, or using an object that isn't allowed. Normal maintenance holes (aeration), natural imperfections, and natural wear of the hole are not "damage" and must not be repaired.
Exceptions that change the answer
- You improve the putting green beyond restoring original condition (e.g., create a pathway to the hole or use an unallowed object) → General penalty under Rule 8.1a for breach of Rule 13.1c(2)
- The condition is from normal maintenance (aeration holes, vertical mowing grooves), irrigation/rain, natural surface imperfections, or natural wear of the hole → Not considered damage on the putting green; you may not repair it
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick up a loose divot on the putting green?
Yes. A loose divot is loose soil, and Rule 13.1c(1) allows removal of sand and loose soil on the putting green without penalty.
Can I repair a divot hole on the putting green?
Yes. A divot hole is damage caused by a stroke, and Rule 13.1c(2) permits repairing damage on the putting green using your hand, foot, putter, tee, ball-mark repair tool, or similar normal equipment.
What if my ball moves while I'm repairing a divot hole?
No penalty. On the putting green, there is no penalty for accidentally causing your ball or ball-marker to move (Rule 13.1d). Just replace the ball on its original spot.
Can I repair aeration holes or natural bare spots on the green?
No. Aeration holes, grooves from mowing, irrigation effects, weeds, bare or diseased areas, and natural wear of the hole are explicitly excluded from "damage on the putting green" and must not be repaired.
What tools am I allowed to use to fix a divot hole?
Your hand, foot, or other body part; a normal ball-mark repair tool; a tee; a club; or similar item of normal equipment. Anything else (knife, bottle cap, key) is not allowed and earns the general penalty if it improves the green beyond original condition.