What happens if I place a club on the ground to help aim?

Short answer: You may not set a club or any object down on the ground to help you aim or take your stance — that's the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play) under Rule 10.2b(3). The only legal move is resting the clubhead behind the ball while you're still holding the grip, then walking around to address the ball without ever letting go.

What the rule actually says

Rule 10.2b(3) forbids setting any object down to help with aiming, taking your stance, or making your swing. An alignment rod laid on the ground, a club placed parallel to your target line, or even a tee stuck in the turf as a reference point — all of those earn you the general penalty if they're there to help you line up. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play, and it applies the moment you make the stroke with the object still in place.

The one move that's still legal

You're allowed to place the clubhead on the ground behind the ball while you're still holding the grip — for example, standing behind the ball, setting the face perpendicular to your intended line, then walking around to take your stance without letting go of the club. Interpretation 10.2b(3)/1 makes this explicit: the clubhead can touch the ground as a temporary reference so long as you never release it and never leave it there as a standalone aiming aid.

Self-standing putters don't get a pass

A putter that balances on its own is still an "object" under the rule. Interpretation 10.2b/1 says you may not set it down in a standing position behind or beside the ball to show the line or help your stance. If you do, it's the same general penalty as any other alignment aid. The putter can only be used to actually strike the ball.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You rest the clubhead behind the ball while still holding the club, then walk into your stance without letting go → No penalty — this is explicitly allowed by Interpretation 10.2b(3)/1
• You set down any object (club, alignment rod, towel, tee) and leave it there to help aim or stance → General penalty — two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play (Rule 10.2b(3))
• You use a self-standing putter as a stationary alignment aid → General penalty — Interpretation 10.2b/1 treats it the same as any other object set down for aiming help

Frequently asked questions

Can I lay my driver on the ground to check my alignment before a tee shot?

No. If you set the driver down and leave it there to help you aim, that's a general penalty under Rule 10.2b(3). Pick it up before you make your stroke.

What if I put a club down, realize it's wrong, and pick it up before I swing?

No penalty — the breach only happens when you make the stroke with the object still in place. Remove it before you swing and you're fine.

Is it okay to use a tee stuck in the ground as an aiming point?

No. A tee is an "object" under the rule. Leaving it in the turf to help you line up earns the general penalty if you stroke the ball with it still there.

My putter stands up by itself. Can I balance it behind the ball to see the line?

No. Interpretation 10.2b/1 says a self-standing putter set down for alignment help is the same breach as any other object — general penalty.

Can my caddie place a club on the ground to show me the line?

No. Rule 10.2b(1) also forbids the caddie from setting an object down to help with the line of play. Same general penalty.