What’s The Golf Ruling On A Plugged Ball On A Sloped Green?

December 23rd, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

Dear Golf Nut,  A playing partner hit a ball into the green. The ball plugged on the slope of the green. He marked the position of the ball and repaired the plug hole. However when he replaced his ball it kept moving closer to the hole because of the slope. What relief or rules would apply.Well I am afraid that your partner may end up being a victim of the rules in this case depending on how the green was laid out.

Rule 20-3d says the following:  If a ball when placed fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. If it still fails to come to rest on that spot:  except in a hazard, it must be placed at the nearest spot where it can be placed at rest that is not nearer the hole and not in a hazard.




So he gets relief, but the problem may be that he may end up farther away from the hole than where he plugged the shot.  Now, the other side of the coin could be that he is farther away but has an easier putt, maybe less break, no slope to deal with etc.

But that is what he is dealing with.  I’d be curious how you guys played it.  Either email me or post the comment here on what you guys did.  This was one that took me a little digging on to make sure that there were no other considerations to look at.  I would guess that most of us golfers would miss this one without some help.

Good golfing!




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