ERicJ
Jul 31 2014, 03:17 PM
Another question from a local discussion:
A player is putting inside the circle and hanging on to a branch behind his lie for support. He has his foot (supporting point) legally behind his mini. His body & putting arm are leaning/extended well over and in front of his lie. If he were not hanging onto the branch he would obviously fall forward in front of his lie. [So far all legal per Q&A #16.]
After he putts: he hangs on to the branch with body hanging over/in front of his lie for a "2 count" (from Chuck's video (http://www.pdga.com/rules/school/demonstrating-balance-putting)) before letting go of the branch and falling to the ground in front of his lie.
Legal putt or fault? Is just hanging there over his lie "demonstrating balance" per Q&A #37, or does he have to pull himself back behind his lie to demonstrate balance there before advancing?
QA 16: Using an Object Behind the Lie for Support
<abbr title="Question">Q:</abbr> Can I hold onto a branch or other object behind my lie while putting?
<abbr title="Answer">A:</abbr> Holding on to something behind your lie is not prohibited by the rules, provided that the object is in-bounds. It also must not be moved, since you are required to take the stance that results in the least movement of obstacles on the course. You are not allowed to hold onto another person for support, as that person is not part of the course. Applicable rules: 802.04 Throwing from a Stance; 803.01 Obstacles and Relief.
QA 37: What is "Demonstrate Balance" for Putts?
<abbr title="Question">Q:</abbr> As I release a putt, I push off from my back foot so that after release I am balanced on my front foot. I typically freeze there for a couple of seconds, then swing my back foot forward and continue toward the hole. Is that a foot fault?
<abbr title="Answer">A:</abbr> It's hard to say. Your group will have to make a judgment call. To demonstrate "full control of balance" the player must perform some action that breaks up the flow of movement toward the target after release, before proceeding toward the target. Some examples of actions that demonstrate balance might be: (1) a clear pause and display of balance, (2) placement of the back foot on the ground behind the mark, or (3) retrieval of the marker disc. The key to all of those is to show balance and control of your body behind the mark before moving forward. The best course of action is to leave no room for doubt, which is easy to do if you are indeed in control of your body after you've released the putt. Applicable Rules: 802.04 Throwing from a Stance.
A player is putting inside the circle and hanging on to a branch behind his lie for support. He has his foot (supporting point) legally behind his mini. His body & putting arm are leaning/extended well over and in front of his lie. If he were not hanging onto the branch he would obviously fall forward in front of his lie. [So far all legal per Q&A #16.]
After he putts: he hangs on to the branch with body hanging over/in front of his lie for a "2 count" (from Chuck's video (http://www.pdga.com/rules/school/demonstrating-balance-putting)) before letting go of the branch and falling to the ground in front of his lie.
Legal putt or fault? Is just hanging there over his lie "demonstrating balance" per Q&A #37, or does he have to pull himself back behind his lie to demonstrate balance there before advancing?
QA 16: Using an Object Behind the Lie for Support
<abbr title="Question">Q:</abbr> Can I hold onto a branch or other object behind my lie while putting?
<abbr title="Answer">A:</abbr> Holding on to something behind your lie is not prohibited by the rules, provided that the object is in-bounds. It also must not be moved, since you are required to take the stance that results in the least movement of obstacles on the course. You are not allowed to hold onto another person for support, as that person is not part of the course. Applicable rules: 802.04 Throwing from a Stance; 803.01 Obstacles and Relief.
QA 37: What is "Demonstrate Balance" for Putts?
<abbr title="Question">Q:</abbr> As I release a putt, I push off from my back foot so that after release I am balanced on my front foot. I typically freeze there for a couple of seconds, then swing my back foot forward and continue toward the hole. Is that a foot fault?
<abbr title="Answer">A:</abbr> It's hard to say. Your group will have to make a judgment call. To demonstrate "full control of balance" the player must perform some action that breaks up the flow of movement toward the target after release, before proceeding toward the target. Some examples of actions that demonstrate balance might be: (1) a clear pause and display of balance, (2) placement of the back foot on the ground behind the mark, or (3) retrieval of the marker disc. The key to all of those is to show balance and control of your body behind the mark before moving forward. The best course of action is to leave no room for doubt, which is easy to do if you are indeed in control of your body after you've released the putt. Applicable Rules: 802.04 Throwing from a Stance.