Can you stand behind someone while they putt?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 10, 2026
When it comes to reading a putt's break, members of a four-ball team may stand nearly anywhere on the green to watch a partner putt, with one exception: They're not allowed to stand on or close to an extension of the player's line of putt behind the ball (Rule 14-2b).
Where should you not stand when someone is putting?
Instead of standing directly in front of or behind your partner, stand slightly off to the side so you're out of her peripheral vision. Once she has hit her putt, you can start moving toward your ball. Players should also avoid standing so their shadow crosses the line between another player's ball and the hole.
Can you stand behind your partner in golf?
No one can help the player with his alignment for the stroke. This is an essential skill which the player must do for himself. A caddie is NO longer allowed to stand behind the player to help with alignment.
Can caddies stand behind players?
Current Rule: Under Rule 14-2b: ➢ When a player is taking a stance, the player's caddie is allowed to stand behind to help the player line up to the target and confirm that the player is correctly aligned.
Can you putt from behind the ball in golf?
The USGA and the R&A took notice and, effective January 1, 1968, introduced Rule 35-1L (now Rule16-1e) that stated “The player shall not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of the putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.”
41 related questions foundIs side putting legal?
The side saddle putting is 100% legal for any golf tournament in the world. Putting face-on with the GP putter is 100% legal in any golf tournament. The putting stroke (technique) that you see in the videos is again 100% legal.
Should your elbows touch your body when putting?
Interlace your fingers, clasping your hands in front of you. Then, get into your putting posture, and place your hands over your belly button, your elbows bent outward at 45 degrees. Keeping your lower body quiet, engage your core muscles and use them to rock your arms and shoulders back and forth.
Can you walk on your putting line?
Current Rule: Under Rule 16-1a, when a player's ball is on the putting green: ➢ The player is generally prohibited from touching his or her line of putt. ➢ But there are seven exceptions (such as when removing loose impediments or movable obstructions, when lifting or replacing a ball, when repairing ball marks, etc.).
What can a caddy not do?
The player or caddie must not set an object down anywhere on or off the putting green to show the line of play. This is not allowed even if that object is removed before the stroke is made.
Can a caddie take the ball out of the hole?
The player's caddie is allowed to mark and lift the player's ball on the putting green any time the player is allowed to do so, without needing authorization. The caddie continues to be allowed to replace the player's ball only if the caddie was the one who had lifted or moved the ball.
Where do you stand when your partner is teeing off?
When a player is teeing off, the others in the group should be standing together out- side of the markers and off to the side to avoid being a distraction. Standing behind a player who's teeing off is akin to reading over someone's shoulder.
Can you switch caddies?
The choice of a golf caddie may not rank as important as the selection of a wartime president (although some pro golfers might disagree on that point), but changing caddies during a golf competition can obviously be disruptive. Nevertheless, a player is typically permitted to change caddies during a round.
When can you putt out?
Normally in match play, players are permitted to putt out after a concession — but not in four-ball in a situation only when doing so you can help your partner. Once you conceded A's putt, he has completed play on the hole, in this case making a par.
Should I leave the pin in when putting?
Dave Pelz, a physics graduate long regarded as a putting guru for professional and amateur players, recommended keeping the pin in the hole all the time, based on a loss of energy when the ball hits it.
Who putts first on or off the green?
The short version is that the hole is started by whoever played the last hole best – meaning lowest score has the honor (fancy word for going first on the tee). After the initial shots, the ball farthest from the hole plays first, regardless of whether the ball is on the green or not.
Is a push shot legal in golf?
a) Fairly Striking the Ball
- The player must fairly strike at the ball with the head of the club such that there is only momentary contact between the club and the ball and must not push, scrape or scoop the ball.
Do caddies play golf?
Not surprisingly, there are plenty of caddies on the PGA Tour who are also excellent golfers. Some of them have even enjoyed stints on the PGA Tour. Loads of them played college golf.
How much do you tip a caddie?
For a forecaddie, about $20 to $25 per player. For a caddie toting just your bag -- around $40 to $50 -- a little less for a double bag because the other player should be tipping said caddie, too. But if you want to be safe, don't be afraid to ask the head pro or director of golf.
Can you chip on the putting green?
Golfers are also allowed to hit any kind of shot they want on the green in the interest of getting the ball closer to the hole. That means a golfer can use a wedge or an iron to chip or pitch their ball closer to the hole, even while on the putting green.
Are you allowed to tap down spike marks?
The New Rule: Golfers are now allowed to repair almost any damage on the green, such as spike marks, ball-marks, indentations from a club or flagstick, and animal damage. They are not permitted to repair aeration holes, natural surface imperfections, or natural wear of the hole.
Can you change balls to putt?
You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole.
Do you putt with arms or shoulders?
The best (and fastest) way to do that is to drive your putting stroke not with your arms and hands, but with your shoulders moving up and down as you swing the putter back and through on the correct path.
Are arms straight when putting?
If you have had problems controlling your distance or difficulty keeping the face square, try making sure your arms are straight (but not rigid) when you set up and keep them that way throughout the stroke. When putting, avoid a forward press at set up.
Where should your arms be when putting?
SETUP. Let your arms hang softly from your shoulders, and grip the club so that the shaft sits 90 degrees to the ground.
Is belly putter legal?
Belly putters and long putters remain completely legal to use, so long as they are conforming to equipment rules. What Rule 10.1b addresses is the stroke, not the club being used to make the stroke. So if you putt with a belly putter or long putter, the anchoring ban does not require you to stop doing that.