What happens if I stand on my line of play when making a stroke?

Yes, there's a penalty. If you deliberately place a foot on or across your line of play when making a stroke, you get the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play (Rule 10.1c).

What counts as the line of play here

For this rule only, the line of play doesn't include a reasonable distance on either side — it's the exact line. You breach the rule if you deliberately place a foot on each side of that line, or if either foot deliberately touches the line or its extension behind the ball. The key word is "deliberately"; your stance has to be intentional, not something that just happens as you set up.

When the exception applies

There's no penalty if you end up on the line by accident — say your foot slips or the ground gives way — or if you take that stance to avoid standing on another player's line of play. In both cases the rule lets you off the hook because you weren't trying to gain an advantage. The same exception covers players using assistive mobility devices under Rule 25.4i.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Stance is taken accidentally (e.g., foot slips, ground shifts) → No penalty — play the ball as it lies.
• Stance is taken to avoid another player's line of play → No penalty — play the ball as it lies.

Frequently asked questions

What if I accidentally stand on my line of play?

No penalty. If your foot ends up on the line by accident — a slip, uneven ground, loss of balance — the exception in Rule 10.1c applies and you play on without penalty.

What if I stand on the line to avoid another player's line?

No penalty. Deliberately taking a stance on your own line to avoid interfering with another player's line is explicitly allowed under the exception to Rule 10.1c.

Does this rule apply on the putting green?

Yes. Rule 10.1c applies anywhere on the course, including the putting green. The line of play extends behind the ball too, so straddling your putting line behind the ball counts if done deliberately.

What about the extension of the line behind the ball?

The rule covers the line of play and its extension behind the ball. If you deliberately place a foot touching that backward extension, it's the same breach — general penalty unless an exception applies.

What's the penalty in match play versus stroke play?

General penalty in both formats: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. There's no separate "one-stroke" version for this rule.