Rules · Tip
What You Can Fix on the Green
Part of our rules programs. Build a program with it
Under Rule 13.1c, you can fix most damage on the green, for free. That's true whether your ball is on the green or not. Ball marks, old hole plugs, shoe damage and marks from animals or gear can all be repaired. You can also brush away sand and loose soil. What you can't fix is natural wear, like aeration holes or the natural surface. Fix things quickly so you don't slow down play.
Step by step
- Look along your line before you read it.
- Fix ball marks and shoe damage.
- Brush away sand and soil.
- Leave aeration holes alone.
- Be quick.
Why it works
A putt rolls on a smooth, true surface, and damage on your line can push the ball off its path. Rule 13.1c lets you repair damage on the green so the ball is judged on your stroke and the slope, not on a dent or a scuff. Natural wear stays in place because it is part of the course, and the rule treats it as something every player faces equally.
Common mistakes
- You fix damage only after you have read the putt, then have to read it again.Look along your line and repair any damage first, then read the putt once.
- You try to repair aeration holes or rough patches in the natural surface.Leave natural wear and aeration holes alone, and fix only damage such as ball marks, old hole plugs, shoe damage and marks from animals or gear.
- You spend a long time tidying the green and hold up the group behind you.Fix what is on your line in a few seconds, and do any extra repairs while others are putting or on your way to the next tee.
How you'll know it's working
- You repair damage on your line before you start to read the putt, every time.
- Your ball rolls along the line you chose without a sudden hop or wobble caused by a mark.
- Your group keeps its pace, and you are ready to putt when it is your turn.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice on a green with a few ball marks and name each one as fixable or not fixable before you touch it.
Harder: On a busy course, scan your line, fix what you can, and be ready to putt within the time your group has, without rushing the stroke.
Common questions
Can I fix a ball mark on the green if my ball is not on the green?
Yes. Under Rule 13.1c you can repair damage on the putting green whether your ball is on the green or not.
Can I repair aeration holes before I putt?
No. Aeration holes count as natural wear, so you must leave them as they are, even if they are on your line.
