Dear Linda,
Could you please shed some light on the following issue:
Our course Committee has decided to place white plastic
rings in the holes on our greens, but we find that the top of these rings are
placed in the top part of the hole without leaving even a 1-2 mm gap, in other
words this ring nearly sticks out above the hole.
This has meant that we have numerous lip-outs.
I have been led to believe that these rings are illegal as
well.
My question is whether there is a rule that states that
there should be something like 25mm between the top of the hole and the cup
itself.
Look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Lou from Malaga, Spain
Dear Lou,
The Definition of “Hole,” in the front of the rulebook, states
that if a hole has a lining, “it must be sunk at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) below
the putting green surface, unless the nature of the soil makes it impracticable
to do so.”
There is also a Decision advising players to notify a member
of the Committee if a hole-liner is not sunk at least one inch below the
putting surface [Decision 16/4].
There is a very important reason for this requirement. If
the liner is too high, putts have a tendency to strike it and pop out of the
hole.
If these plastic rings you mention are being placed above
the liner, almost flush to the surface, they are not legal. If the course
wishes to make the holes more visible, the customary way to do that is to paint
the dirt white.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
