Rules question on pitch marks

[Mikolar]

While hitting to a green (generally with a lofted iron) -

 

-your ball hits the fringe and leaves a roughed up pitch mark. It spins back and rolls either still on the fringe or just off the fringe. We understand that you may not repair the pitch mark should it be in your line (until after you hit your next shot to the green).

 

However, should your ball hit the green and leave a badly roughed up pitch mark... then spinning off the green onto the fringe. It is in your line -- and it was our understanding that you could not fix that mark either prior to hitting your next shot (perhaps a putt from the fringe).

 

Anyone know for sure and offer citation? Thanks in advance.

[jdhb]

While hitting to a green (generally with a lofted iron) -

 

-your ball hits the fringe and leaves a roughed up pitch mark. It spins back and rolls either still on the fringe or just off the fringe. We understand that you may not repair the pitch mark should it be in your line (until after you hit your next shot to the green).

 

However, should your ball hit the green and leave a badly roughed up pitch mark... then spinning off the green onto the fringe. It is in your line -- and it was our understanding that you could not fix that mark either prior to hitting your next shot (perhaps a putt from the fringe).

 

Anyone know for sure and offer citation? Thanks in advance.

 

You can always repair a pitch mark on the green, regardless of where the ball is (on or off the green) and whose pitch mark it is. (Rule 16-1c)

 

You may be thinking of the situation where the ball lies off the green and the pitch mark is NOT on the green. That is covered by Dec 13-2/8

 

13-2/8 Player’s Lie or Line of Play Affected by Pitch-Mark Made by Partner’s, Opponent’s or Fellow-Competitor’s Ball

 

Q. A player’s lie or line of play through the green is affected by a pitch-mark made by his partner’s, his opponent’s or a fellow-competitor’s ball. Is the player entitled to relief?

 

A. If the pitch-mark was there before the player’s ball came to rest, he is not entitled to relief without penalty.

 

If the pitch-mark was created after the player’s ball came to rest, in equity (Rule 1-4), he may repair the pitch-mark. A player is entitled to the lie which his stroke gave him.