Is there an illegal putting stance?

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.”
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Is putting Side saddle 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.
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Can you putt with an open stance?

The open stance makes it easier to feel the left hand going out and down the target line. The forward lean offsets the 4 degrees of loft I recommend for a putter and helps the ball roll smoothly. When you make the stroke, keep the putterhead low to the ground past impact, like Ron is demonstrating (inset).
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Is it illegal to stand behind someone putting?

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).
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Is Sam Snead putting style legal?

Sam Snead pioneered croquet-style putting in the 1960s. The United States Golf Association banned this technique in 1968 by amending the old Rule 35–1.
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Is Side Saddle Putting Your Answer to the Belly Ban?



Is putting croquet style legal?

Putting croquet style is illegal UNLESS you're off the putting surface. From the fringe, you are allowed to straddle the ball and put croquet style, like ol' Sam Snead did briefly before it was banned and trust me, croquet-style putting is scary-easy.
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Are hammer putters legal?

It does NOT conform to USGA rules for putters. The USGA rules for putters require that the heel-toe distance be greater than the face-back on a putter head. This putter does not conform to this rule.
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Can you legally stand behind the ball to putt?

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.”
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Can you walk on your own putting line?

The only way to tell for sure is to use your sense of touch, through your feet. "For long putts, don't walk on your line but walk alongside of it, where you think it's going to go," Day said. "If it's a left-to-right putt from 20 feet, you can walk from the ball all the way to the hole.
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Can you stand behind your opponents putt?

Rules of Golf explained: Our expert says…

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Hughie but, though it might feel wrong, there is nothing in the Rules to stop a fellow competitor, or opponent, standing wherever they like – even if that means they're behind you tracking the exact line of your putt.
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Can you putt with open shoulders?

Shoulder alignment, however, affects the forearms, and forearm alignment greatly influences the path your putter will take. Open shoulders will lead to more of a "slice" stroke, while closed shoulders typically cause the putter to track too far to the inside in the backstroke, leading to pushes and a "hook" stroke.
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How did Jack Nicklaus grip his putter?

My putting stance was pretty unique: feet together, knees “pinched,” upper body hunched over the ball. You can copy me if you'd like, but as long as you're comfortable in your putting stance with your arms and shoulders parallel to your putt line, you're good.
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What does plumb bobbing in golf?

A: "Plumb bobbing" a putt is something you rarely see now a days. Plumb bobbing is a method used on the putting green to find which way a putt will break. Plumb bobbing is when you squat down behind the ball with your putter handing in front of your eyes, and read the line of the putt based on how your putter hangs.
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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.
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Can you kneel while putting?

Q. May I kneel or lie on the green to read a putt? A. Although not recommended, yes.
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Can caddies remove ball from 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.
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Can you change balls on the putting green?

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.
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Can you touch the putting green with your hand?

You were prohibited from touching your line of putt, other than when removing loose impediments or movable obstructions, repairing pitch-marks or marking your ball. There is no longer a penalty for merely touching your line of play on the green, as long as you do nothing to improve it.
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Can you anchor your putter against your arm?

No. Intentionally holding a forearm against the body is prohibited only when done to create an anchor point. Otherwise, intentionally holding the forearms against the body while making a stroke is not a breach of Rule 14-1b.
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Why do PGA players straddle the putting line?

Usually this leeway is used to repair inconsistencies in the green, but for the purposes of 'AimPoint,' the player is encouraged to stand on or straddle the line in order to determine which way the putt will break, in addition to deciphering how severe the slope is.
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Can you tap down the green around the hole?

To answer the first question: It's a violation of Rule 16-1a and comes with a two-shot penalty in stroke play (loss of hole in match play). The tournament committee could have also disqualified Garcia if they felt he had gained a significant advantage by tapping down the spike marks.
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Are 3 ball putters legal?

According to the equipment rules of the USGA and R&A, the Odyssey 3 Ball Putter is legal to use for any casual, high-level amateur, and professional golf outings. In other words, any golfer can use the Odyssey 3 Ball Putter as it conforms to all the equipment rules.
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Are two sided putters legal?

The USGA has pretty strict criteria when it comes to what qualifies as a legal putter. Technically speaking, a putter that has two striking faces is not allowed in golf. In other words, if a putter has two faces that can be used to make a putt, it is considered illegal.
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What putters are illegal in golf?

There are two types of long putter in golf, the belly putter and the broom handle putter. These clubs have been somewhat vilified in recent years and certain ways of using them have actually become rendered illegal under the rules of golf.
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