Putting from the fringe

Question
If a player elects to have the flag removed to putt from the fringe, does he hit first no matter what distance his ball is from the hole or does his distance from the flag come into play as to who putts first? What if he elects to putt from approx 10 feet from the green? What putting order applies?

Answer
Hi Julie,

The order of play is always determined by distance from the hole. The person farthest from the hole goes first, regardless of whether on or off the green and regardless of the type of shot being hit (putt, chip, sand, etc).

For instance, if a player were in a sand trap 30 feet from the hole and another player were on the green 35 feet from the hole with a birdie putt, the player with the birdie putt should play first. However, usually we allow everyone to get on the green to speed of play (as the person in the bunker may hit the ball over the green or leave the ball in the trap. In competition, however, the distance rule applied.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Ken Tannar

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