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Rule 13.1f

Wrong green

Also searched as: other green, practice green, putting green of another hole, chipping green

Any green on the course other than the putting green of the hole you are playing. This includes the greens of all other holes, the regular green while a temporary green is in use, and all practice greens unless the Committee excludes them.

A wrong green is part of the general area. If your ball is only on the fringe of another hole’s green, there is no relief, because the fringe is not part of the green. If the wrong green interferes only because you choose a clearly unreasonable stroke, there is no relief either.

The rule protects greens from damage by strokes and stances. Some clubs use a Local Rule that gives no relief when only your stance touches the wrong green.

Until 2018 you only got relief when the ball was on the wrong green. Since 2019 stance and swing count as well.

Step by step

  1. 1Check for interference. Your ball touches the wrong green, or your stance or swing would touch it.
  2. 2Find the nearest point. The nearest point of complete relief in the same area of the course, usually the general area.
  3. 3Drop. Within one club-length of that point, not nearer the hole and clear of any interference by the wrong green.