From Nationalclubgolfer · Steve Carroll · · 1m
Can I leave loose impediments as backstop?
Golf rules clarify if you can leave twigs behind the hole to stop your putt.
In brief
Golf rules clarify if you can leave twigs behind the hole to stop your putt. Players may leave loose impediments in place if they were already there when the ball came to rest, but cannot create backstops. Originally reported by Nationalclubgolfer.
Downhill putt with twigs
You remove twigs that might impede your ball but leave those behind the hole.
Playing partner helps
Your partner picks up items that might help if your putt goes past the cup.
Rules clarification
Rule 8.1d allows leaving loose impediments where they were when the ball came to rest.
“Rule 8.1d”
Backstop not allowed
You cannot place twigs behind the hole to create a backstop without penalty.
Rule 8.1a (2) penalty
Moving loose impediments into position gets a two-shot penalty in stroke play.
“two-shots in stroke play”
What happens next
Players must check if loose impediments were already there when the ball came to rest.
The key point
Players may leave loose impediments in place if they were already there when the ball came to rest, but cannot create backstops.
