Would I be penalised for “inadvertently” walking on the green, “accidently” flattening any mushrooms etc that were by chance in my line of play.

16-1a/12 Player Walks on Line of Putt
Q. A player walked on his line of putt. Did he incur a penalty for a breach of Rule 16-1a?
A. Yes, if he did so intentionally. No, if he did so accidentally and the act did not improve the line.

If the player accidentally walked on the line of putt – no penalty, but if mushrooms were flattened on the line of putt it would be a breach of Rule 16-1a, accidentally or not.

Presumably, there is no penalty if one removes the offending mushrooms after one has putted out.

Cheers, Peter.

What if the player hasn’t chosen a line yet? Surely the choice of the line needs to be made before a player can contravene the rule.

What if the player hasn’t chosen a line yet? Surely the choice of the line needs to be made before a player can contravene the rule.

Cliff Manley

3 bad shots and 1 good shot is still a 4….
Golf is played in a very small area, the 6 inches between your ears…

One swing to hit the ball,
one swing to find a score,
One swing you bring to all,
And on the fairway find them.

That’s probably why line line of putt is defined like this :-) :

Line of Putt
The “line of putt” is the line that the player wishes his ball to take after a stroke on the putting green. Except with respect to Rule 16-1e, the line of putt includes a reasonable distance on either side of the intended line. The line of putt does not extend beyond the hole.

Would I be penalised for “inadvertently” walking on the green, “accidently” flattening any mushrooms etc that were by chance in my line of play.

D. 16-1a/15 Mushroom Growing on Line of Putt.
Q. A mushroom is growing on a player’s line of putt. Is the player entitled to relief?
A. The player would be justified in discontinuing play and requesting the Committee to remove the mushroom. The Committee should comply.
If such an abnormal condition is a recurring problem on a course, the Committee should make a Local Rule to the effect that mushrooms on the putting green are to be treated as ground under repair.