
Golf Putting Rules
- Overview. An important part of learning how to play golf properly is familiarizing yourself with the etiquette and rules...
- No Touching. A player is not permitted to touch anything along the path the ball would likely take on its way to the...
- At the Flag. The ball cannot strike the flagstick while it is in the hole unless the shot originated off the...
What to look at when addressing the golf ball?
The Proper Face Placement for Your Golf Club
- Square Address. At address, a line drawn from the center of the clubface should pass through the center of the golf ball and lead directly to the target.
- Open or Closed. A clubface that points right of the target -- for a right-handed golfer -- is considered open. ...
- Heel or Toe. ...
- Variations. ...
- In Swing. ...
- Short Game. ...
What does it mean to address the ball in golf?
Try this tee drill to help you visualize it on the range:
- Insert a tee into the ground directly behind the ball.
- As you set up, try and imagine the clubhead driving the tee into the ground directly underneath the ball.
- Make your swing with an 8 iron at ¾ speed to work on covering the golf ball.
- Just like the criss-cross drill, make sure that your spine is remaining the same through the entire swing.
What is the proper way to address a golf ball?
The Fundamentals
- Stance – The position of your feet and legs as you prepare to hit the ball. ...
- Address – Once you’ve taken your stance, grip, and are set in your posture, you address the ball by placing the clubhead on the ground behind the ball.
- Grounding the Club – This term refers to the point when your club touches the ground while you are addressing the ball.
How to address the golf ball easily every time?
Golf Ball Position Within The Club Face. It’s very important for you to position the golf ball in the exact same portion of the club face at address position every time. The most beneficial ball position within your club face is typically slightly off centre favoring the toe of the club.

How do you address a golf ball when putting?
2:185:35How to Address The Ball - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe same thing we're always checking how far from the ball we are by putting your right hand on theMoreThe same thing we're always checking how far from the ball we are by putting your right hand on the knee letting the hands hang down and it's in a nice balanced. Position.
What is considered addressing the ball?
The USGA says “A player has “addressed the ball” when he has grounded his club immediately in front of or immediately behind the ball, whether or not he has taken his stance.” This means you can take a stroke and strike the ball without ever actually addressing the ball.
How do you align a golf ball putting?
3:4211:15USING A LINE ON THE BALL WHEN PUTTING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce I've got everything aligned. Up. Right next part is that I don't want to see a line at all so IMoreOnce I've got everything aligned. Up. Right next part is that I don't want to see a line at all so I'm gonna put the ball down. But I'm gonna put it at the blank spot on top of the golf ball.
When putting should you look at the ball or the hole?
Don't make yourself look at the hole on every putt. Start by looking at the hole on your practice strokes, and then eventually on short putts. If you feel like you don't want to look at the hole on certain putts, that's ok. Look at the ball instead.
What happens if a golfer accidentally makes contact when addressing the ball?
It only becomes a ball in play once a stroke is made. When the practice swing accidentally hits the ball, you are considered to have not made a stroke. Thus, the golf rules simply allow you to re-tee the moved ball (or replace it with another one) without penalty. This is covered under Rule 6.2b(5) and 6.2b(6).
What does it mean to address the ball in golf?
Address – Once you've taken your stance, grip, and are set in your posture, you address the ball by placing the clubhead on the ground behind the ball. Grounding the Club – This term refers to the point when your club touches the ground while you are addressing the ball.
How do I align putts better?
0:457:30Line Up Your Eyes To Make Putts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStraight. So just roll a few with your putter until you find a dead straight putt to the hole. ThenMoreStraight. So just roll a few with your putter until you find a dead straight putt to the hole. Then from there what I'd like to have happen is. I would like to set up over top of this golf ball.
How do you line up a putt dominant eye?
2:074:39The best putting tip you'll ever get! Check your dominant eye! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStraight to the ball. So if your right eye dominant. And you take your position put the ball belowMoreStraight to the ball. So if your right eye dominant. And you take your position put the ball below your right eye. And that should give you the perfect vision to be square to your target.
How do you use line when putting?
1:049:20The Biggest Mistake Golfers Make with the Line on the Ball - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we normally see with the line on the ball is you know when you're putting and you line it upMoreSo what we normally see with the line on the ball is you know when you're putting and you line it up where you want to start the ball. This is great for practice by the way I love it for practicing.
How do you address a putter?
1:218:185 Keys to a Proper Putter Setup - Golf Putting Setup - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo bring it up here kind of hold it get your arm kind of in front a little bit of bend here. SoMoreSo bring it up here kind of hold it get your arm kind of in front a little bit of bend here. So notice not quite a 90 degree angle but a little bit of bend between my upper arm.
Where do you look when you are putting?
4:515:37Golf Putting Tips - Eye Position When Putting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou got to visualize where the balls going the first step to doing that is position in your eyes inMoreYou got to visualize where the balls going the first step to doing that is position in your eyes in the proper. Place.
What is the secret to putting?
5:4813:55PUTTING SECRETS || 5 PUTTING TIPS || GREAT PUTTERS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd let it droop a little bit in your hands. Step two is you're gonna pull the club.MoreAnd let it droop a little bit in your hands. Step two is you're gonna pull the club.
Why is it important to know the rules of golf?
This can prevent you from making an unintentional mistake that results in receiving a penalty stroke or causes you to disrupt the play of others.
When is a player required to replace a ball marker?
A player is required to replace a ball marker or the ball if it is moved by accident while making a permitted green repair. The player is not assessed a penalty stroke as long as the movement occurs while making an eligible repair.
Can you strike a flagstick while in the hole?
At the Flag. The ball cannot strike the flagstick while it is in the hole unless the shot originated off the green. If the flag is attended, the ball cannot be touched by the person holding the flag or by the flag when it is lifted as the ball approaches.
When does a golfer address the ball?
The definition of "address the ball" as it appeared in the official Rules of Golf prior to the year 2019 was this: "A player has 'addressed the ball' when he has grounded his club immediately in front of or immediately behind the ball, whether or not he has taken his stance.".
What is the address position in golf?
The Vernacular Use of 'Address'. Veteran golfers know that when you've stepped up to your golf ball and set your golf club down behind the ball, you have "addressed the ball.". This is also called being in the address position. While "address the ball" is no longer included in the definitions of the Rules of Golf, ...
What happens if your golf ball moves?
Prior to 2019, if your golf ball at rest moved after you took your address position, you, the golfer, were assumed to have caused it to move. And that resulted in a penalty stroke. However, in the rules edition issued in 2019, if a ball at rest on the putting green is accidentally moved by the golfer, there is no penalty so long as ...
Is "address the ball" still used?
While "address the ball" is no longer included in the definitions of the Rules of Golf, the term's usage by golfers will probably takes decades to fade away — if it ever does all. Many golf instructors, and everyday golfers, will continue using the phrase long-term because "address the ball" or "take your address" or "get in ...
When is the ball actually on the putting green?
Is it on or is it off? It’s a pretty serious question if you want to mark, lift and clean the ball but aren’t sure whether you can or not.
What damage can I repair?
The 2019 revisions to the rules loosened up some of the restrictions that had previously been in place. So you’ll be well aware you can repair ball marks, shoe damage such as spike marks, scrapes, and indentations caused by either flagstick or equipment.
What if I move the ball by accident?
We’ve all done this one – most famously Dustin Johnson at the 2016 US Open. That act of ever-so-slightly brushing the ball during a practice stroke actually resulted in a rules change.
What is the etiquette of playing around the green?
Putting Rules govern your play around the Green and it is your responsibility to know and apply them correctly. Etiquette deals with the manner in which you play the game..
Why do golfers cost themselves penalties?
Many golfers cost themselves unnecessary penalties because they unknowingly infringe a Rule. On other occasions they fail to take advantage of a Rule that gives them relief without penalty. In brief, familiarity with the Rules will make you a better all round player, and putter. back to top.
What is a ball mark in golf?
Some shots that travel high in the air and land on the green create an indention called a ball mark. If left unattended, these marks can create dead spots on the green and a nuisance for the groups playing behind you. When you get to the green, check the area around your ball for a mark.
How to putt if you are not the first person to putt?
If you’re not the first person to putt, take charge of the flagstick. If one player is far enough from the hole that he needs it in to see where the hole is, stand with it and pull it out just after he hits his putt. Gently lay the flagstick down on the side of the green away from anyone else who will be putting.
What is the green in golf?
The green is a sacred sort of place for the game of golf. It’s where the ball ends its journey and your score is final. Since putting is such a different part of the game, certain rules of etiquette apply.
Do golf shoes have spikes?
Most golf shoes have spikes on the bottom, and even if they don’t, regular shoes can make a slight indention on the green, possibly causing your partner’s putt to go off line. Your best bet is to walk all the way around your partner’s ball instead of walking through and on his line.

The Vernacular Use of 'Address'
'Address The Ball' as It Once Was Used in The Rule Book
- As noted above, prior to the 2019 edition of the Rules of Golf, "address the ball" was included in the official definitions of our sport. The term was part of the rules, which meant it had a specific meaning and that it was important for golfers to know that specific meaning. The definition of "address the ball" as it appeared in the official Rules of Golfprior to the year 2019 was this: "Grou…
Why 'Address' Is No Longer Defined in The Rule Book
- So why was "address the ball" removed from the Definitions section of the rule book? Because one of the changes to the rules that went into effect in 2019 made the definition superfluous. Prior to 2019, if your golf ball at rest moved after you took your address position, you, the golfer, were assumed to have caused it to move. And that resulted in a penalty stroke. However, in the rules …