Forum > Any other business?

Colin Coote

Are you allowed to make any repairs to a damaged hole during your round?

i am of the belief that you can only repair pitch marks on the green, nothing else, but i'm not sure if this privilege extends to repair the edge of the hole from such a pitch mark!

Any views on this anyone.

John Pettitt

Chris Waterworth

Colin Coote

i am not sure where i heard it or read it but, during a comp. if there is damage to the hole (such as damage caused by the flagstick or a bigfoot) a player is not entitled to repair it during a round, but can ask for it to be repaired by a steward and it is at his /her discretion as to permitting the repair and supervising such event.

Loud Mouth b.a.

Bigfoot damage, and thefts by aliens  on golf courses, is increasing.

 http://golfstinks.blogspot.com/2010/02/bigfoot-stole-my-golf-ba
ll.html

John Pettitt

Spike marks cannot be tapped down in the amateur game, only the pros are allowed to do that.

The rules also state that a hole must be 4 1/4 inch in diameter and it is therefore feasible that any damaged hole could be repaired of any damage that has reduced this dimension.

Colin Coote

yes john that is what i would have thought the sensible approach.

But i've come across a few damaged holes where the flag has been laid back against the cup by some numpty and has left an indent /groove right on the rim of the cup, and some other numpty has missed the hole when putting the flagstick back in and left an indent on the edge of the hole with the bottom of the flag, and someone has got to close to the hole with their bigfoot and pressed down the side of the hole.  In winter when its soft on the greens it's far to easy to damage the hole and its surround but too many don't try to repair their mistakes. 

I also came across a poorly cut hole where the hole had not been cut properly and the edge of the hole had a slice taken on the edge and that little piece was hanging of the edge making the hole smaller.  You could not cut this off because it made the hole the wrong size, you could only push it back and hope it stayed in position.  i could have used a long tee peg to try to hold it back, but that was not my responsibility.  

is it just the rub of the green when you come across such misfortune, or can you have these obstructions repaired.

I thought this might get everyone thinking and trying to find the actual ruling that refers to this problem.  I presume there is a ruling.

John Pettitt

The rule is that you can repair pitchmarks,yes even old ones, so repairing any other damage should come under this rule. Only spike marks are not allowed to be tapped down, but all loose impediments can  be removed.

I am sorry that you are coming across this kind of vandalism where you play, but it does seem to be more prevalent these days. Respect for other peoples property is indeed very rare these days.

Colin Coote

thanks John

very poor etiquette.  Its amazing how many pitch marks we see that are left untouched on the green and the fringe.

Too many golfers are just not bothered about bending their backs and doing what they are expected to do.  it's rediculous seeing as most times these people are seen waiting on the tee box waiting for golfers in front to play their shots.  They could spend that extra 60 seconds trepairing their own pitch marks.  They can bend down to take their ball out of the hole so not being able to bend down is no excuse. 

Clubs need to be more vigilant and prepared to reprimand mambers and guests for not repairing pitch marks.