Rules Guy: On a tap-in, my ball hit my foot. Is that a penalty?

Tiger Woods (R) prepares to putt as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland taps his ball in on the third green during the third round of the US Open at Merion Golf Club on June 15, 2013 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
What do the rules say about accidentally hitting your foot on a tap-in?

Getty Images

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.

Does the new rule about not being penalized when you hit yourself with your ball on a shot apply on the greens as well? Being cognizant not to step in another player’s line, I stood on the other side of the hole and tried to tap in a six-incher but missed and the ball hit my foot — maybe the only person ever to accomplish such a feat (pun intended). —Josh Weimer, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. Weimer, please leave punning to the pros. Also, people, 2019 isn’t really “new” anymore.

Regardless, Rule 11.1b applies everywhere on the course: If you make a stroke and hit yourself on the putting green, there’s no penalty and you play the ball as it lies.

For more putter-related guidance from our guru, read on …

My friend’s putter has a forked rear section. He hit a putt from off the green that popped in the air and lodged in the fork. Is there a penalty, and what should we have done? —Richard Barnes, Clarkston, Wash.

Assuming that the putter is, indeed, conforming, if your friend correctly followed the rules he wasn’t completely forked.

Per Rule 11.1b(1), when a ball in motion comes to rest atop (or, in this case, within) a moving outside influence, the player must drop the ball in a one-club-length relief area.

That area is based on the spot immediately under where the ball first came to rest on that club and in the same area of the course, no nearer the hole. There’s no penalty.

A ball wedged in a putter … there’s a first time for everything.

Need help unriddling the greens at your home course? Pick up a custom Green Book from Golf Logix.

Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to [email protected]. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.