Rules Corner - Walk the Line

Although a successful theme for Johnny Cash it is not a permitted activity for a golfer about to make a putt on the green.

Prior to the introduction of the new rules in 2019, the rules for putting stated "the line of putt must not be touched", except in special cases, such as removing loose impediments, repairing old ball plug marks etcetera providing nothing on the green was pressed down in the process.

Under the new Rule 13 the player is now allowed greater liberties in repairing damage to the green such a removing loose sand or soil, repairing ball marks, or shoe damage, such as scrapes or spike marks, but if a player improves the putting green by actions that exceed what is reasonable to repair the putting green to its original condition, they get the general penalty.

Walking along the putting line is considered under Tule 8 .1 as, (Improving conditions effecting a stroke).

During a recent Ladies Pennant Match, in lining up each putt, a competitor would stand over the hole to look back to the ball and select the desired line of the putt then walk back along the line before taking a stance and making the putt.

In such a case, the rules would consider the action as improving the line of the putt by, creating a pathway and the general penalty would apply. In match play this would mean the player would lose the hole.