when using a putter from off the green, does this count as a putting stroke or in other words do putts only count towards putting average when taken on the green. iv'e never been sure about this.

p.s merry christmas in advance

It is not a putt if it is not on the green, it is just a normal stroke opted to be played with a putter.

On the links I have often used the putter from as far as fifty yards from the green.

And it goes straight into the hole...

No putts!

Only putts actually taken on the green count as a putting stroke. I know this because I have spent the last two years counting putts from off the green, only to have been told recently that you do not count these. I thought if you had a putter in your hand, that's a putt.

I expect my putting average to drop dramatically next year!

Hope this is right, I am sure someone will tell us if it is not.

You are quite right John.

Putts only count when the ball is on the close cut surface of the green, not the fringe

Nice to know when filling in the Stats, Cheers also helps me.

And in reverse is'nt it true that you don't have to use a putter when on the green..

I seem to remember John Daly hitting a wedge once on the green..

Now if your not using a putter on the green is it a putt...

Nice to see Tim posted ;-)