I hit a bad approach, and was on part of the green where I could not putt at the hole without going through 15 feet of fringe, and possibly putting through rough.
So I had to hit a chip shot from the green. This is a nervous shot, because I obviously don't want to make a divot.
The good news is, no divot, and I made the par. Anyone else ever have to do this?
Well, I once had to chip from one green onto another! The green I was aiming had another green backing up to it, about 20 yards away and to the left. The pin on the hole I was playing was to the back left side. I was about 135 yards out, and decided to go with an easy 9 iron istead of a full wedge because the wind was in my face. Well, I pulled the shot a little left, missing the green but hitting the cart path! The ball made a huge bounce, landed on top of the hill behind the other green, and rolled down onto the putting surface! So I'm sitting on the wrong green, looking at about a 25 yard chip. Like you, I sure didn't want a divot in that green, so I used my 7iron to try and bump and run it. Didn't quite make it up to the right green, and had to do another little chip. Got up and down for the bogey, though.
I've never had that shot and would be hesitant if in that position. Most courses I know prohibit this kind of shot - although hard to enforce. There is a PGA tournament, can't remember which, hosted on a course with a bunker inside the perimeter of a green. Members of the club are prohibited from hitting anything but a putter but allow the pros only during tournament time to hit whatever club they need.
I know the play it as it lies crowd will give me a beating for this, but I have been presented with similar shots before and always pulled the ball of the green to the closest bit a fringe (no closer to the hole) and chipped from there. I thought this better than risking a divot and did not thing it was giving me an advantage one way or the other.
Well, I once had to chip from one green onto another! The green I was aiming had another green backing up to it, about 20 yards away and to the left. The pin on the hole I was playing was to the back left side. I was about 135 yards out, and decided to go with an easy 9 iron istead of a full wedge because the wind was in my face. Well, I pulled the shot a little left, missing the green but hitting the cart path! The ball made a huge bounce, landed on top of the hill behind the other green, and rolled down onto the putting surface! So I'm sitting on the wrong green, looking at about a 25 yard chip. Like you, I sure didn't want a divot in that green, so I used my 7iron to try and bump and run it. Didn't quite make it up to the right green, and had to do another little chip. Got up and down for the bogey, though.
DOH!
You get free relief from an incorrect green! You must drop off of the green before playing your next shot.
Rule 25-3 Wrong Putting Green.
a. Interference
Interference by a wrong putting green occurs when a ball is on the wrong putting green.
Interference to a player's stance or the area of his intended swing is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.
b. Relief
If a player's ball lies on a wrong putting green, he must not play the ball as it lies. He must take relief, without penalty, as follows:
The player must lift the ball and drop it within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When dropping the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the wrong putting green and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.
Well, I once had to chip from one green onto another! The green I was aiming had another green backing up to it, about 20 yards away and to the left. The pin on the hole I was playing was to the back left side. I was about 135 yards out, and decided to go with an easy 9 iron istead of a full wedge because the wind was in my face. Well, I pulled the shot a little left, missing the green but hitting the cart path! The ball made a huge bounce, landed on top of the hill behind the other green, and rolled down onto the putting surface! So I'm sitting on the wrong green, looking at about a 25 yard chip. Like you, I sure didn't want a divot in that green, so I used my 7iron to try and bump and run it. Didn't quite make it up to the right green, and had to do another little chip. Got up and down for the bogey, though.
I was thinking there is a rule against this ? I know you can chip from your own green, but when hitting another green due to an errant shot that land's on the putting surface, I believe it is something like a stroke penalty and then 2 club lengths from the putting surface no closer to the hole. Maybe someone can chime in that knows for sure.
Well, learn something new every day! I guess something like that happens so rarely, none of us in the foursome even thought there might be a specific rule for that situation. I remember comments like "Gee, never saw that happen before!" and "Hope it doesn't leave a mark!". But I knew I could hit it clean without a mark, and was of the "play it as it lies" mindset, so just did what seemed the right thing to do. Now I know better, and will probably never be in that situation again!
I tried it once and put a small divot in the green, and messed up the shot. Now, I just pull the ball over to the fringe and chip from there. In tourny's I would not pull the ball over, I'd go for it.
I've never had that shot and would be hesitant if in that position. Most courses I know prohibit this kind of shot - although hard to enforce. There is a PGA tournament, can't remember which, hosted on a course with a bunker inside the perimeter of a green. Members of the club are prohibited from hitting anything but a putter but allow the pros only during tournament time to hit whatever club they need.
Legal or not, I'd never attempt chipping on the green. I'd take my poison and putt to where I had an open look at the hole.
I remember seeing a Bobby Jones instructional film where he faced about an 18" putt, but his opponent's ball was between him and the cup (which was legal in those days I guess). He took a stroke with a lofted iron, flew his opponent's ball and dropped his ball in the cup. Amazing!
Id sure not try it either! Chances are I either skull it or blade it, both of which give me more work for my 'up and down' than putting 15 feet wide....
Same idea as when you have the choice of a delicate lob over a bunker or an easy chip giving you a makeable putt.... only the very talented and the dim will opt for the lob (at least when there is a score to be made)!
Legal or not, I'd never attempt chipping on the green. I'd take my poison and putt to where I had an open look at the hole.
I remember seeing a Bobby Jones instructional film where he faced about an 18" putt, but his opponent's ball was between him and the cup (which was legal in those days I guess). He took a stroke with a lofted iron, flew his opponent's ball and dropped his ball in the cup. Amazing!
In those days it was illegal to pick up your ball until after you'd holed out. Couldn't mark and clean it like today.
June 12th, 2006, 11:25 AM
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