Can the back side of the putter be used to stroke the ball?

I know the shaft etc. can't but I'm not sure about the back.

Thanks,
Rob

yes

it doesn't even have to be a putter...

I pulled out the easiest iron in the bag this morning (7iron) to tap a putt in...

I'm too lazy to look this up in the rule book.

What if you use your ball scoop, which under most definitions isn't a club?

We have a couple of holes where the water hazard extends to the edge of the green, so it is very possible to have the scoop in your hand when walking onto the green, and if you are close enough it would be tempting to tap it in.

I would think it would not count, but do you replace without penalty, receive a penalty (how many) or something else?

What if you use your ball scoop

I would say you have breached rule 14-1 by not fairly striking at the ball with the head of the club ( two stroke penalty ) and 18-2 because the ball was moved by your equipment. It must be replaced with another one stroke penalty.

Sometimes I lag a putt that is just under 30cm away from the hole, can I use the bottom of the putter to hole out?

Provide you swing the club in the normal manner you can hit it with any part of the head. You cannot stroke it like I pool cue.

The relevant ruling is 14-1.
Ball to be fairly struck at.
The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club and must not be pushed, scraped or spooned.

question (sort of!)...I read somewhere that you need to stand side onto the ball when putting...and the front on with the putter between your legs was banned years ago...yet your allowed to reach across the hole on really short putts and tap it in from opposite your body...

why isnt that illegal...???

QUOTE: Sven @ Jan 8 2007, 10:20 PM

question (sort of!)...I read somewhere that you need to stand side onto the ball when putting...and the front on with the putter between your legs was banned years ago...yet your allowed to reach across the hole on really short putts and tap it in from opposite your body...

why isnt that illegal...???

Worked out what happens if the ball gets past the hole on the side you've got your feet ?
Then you'd be standing on your line.
Jon...

bch said "I would say you have breached rule 14-1 by not fairly striking at the ball with the head of the club ( two stroke penalty ) and 18-2 because the ball was moved by your equipment. It must be replaced with another one stroke penalty."

It's only a breach of 18-2. 1 penalty stroke and the ball has to be replaced where it was - there's no stroke with a club, so it isn't a 14-1 breach.

QUOTE: Sven @ Jan 8 2007, 08:20 PM

question (sort of!)...I read somewhere that you need to stand side onto the ball when putting...and the front on with the putter between your legs was banned years ago...yet your allowed to reach across the hole on really short putts and tap it in from opposite your body...

why isnt that illegal...???

16-1e. Standing Astride or on Line of Putt
The player must not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.

From Definitions.

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.

QUOTE: Veefore @ Jan 9 2007, 02:21 PM

The line of putt does not extend beyond the hole.

It quite often does when I putt...

An exception

16-1e/2 Player Plays from Stance Astride Extension of Line of Putt Behind Ball

Q. A player holes a short putt from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, an extension of his line of putt behind the ball. The act was inadvertent or to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt or prospective line of putt. Is the player subject to penalty under Rule
16-1e?

A. No. The purpose of Rule 16-1e is to prevent a “croquet†style of putting. In this case the player did not use the stance for that purpose. (New)