The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? He’s got all the answers.
Is it legal to putt with both hands while holding another ball in one hand?
—RYAN CRAGO, VIA E-MAIL
To get a handle on this question, Rules Guy needs to know whether you’re holding the ball against the club’s grip to try to assist in play.
If so, that’s a breach of Rule 14-3, and you incur the general penalty of two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play, followed by disqualification for the next breach.
You may also like
Rules Guy: How close to the fringe can a hole be cut and still be legal?
That said, Rule 14-3 is an intent-based rule, so if it’s just a matter of you casually tapping a ball in the hole while readying to put a new orb in play on the next tee, that’s fine — just don’t let this tic get out of hand.
Got a rules question? Of course you do! Whatever it may be, send yours to rulesguy@golf.com and the question may be answered in an upcoming issue of GOLF. Until then, play by the Rules!