Rule 16-1E:  Standing Astride or on Line of Putt

Rule 16-1E states that a 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.

A player in breach of Rule 16-1E incurs a two-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play

Exception:  There is no penalty if the stance is inadvertently taken on or astride the line of putt (or an extension of that line behind the ball) or is taken to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt or prospective line of putt.

Decisions on this Rule:

16-1e/1
Meaning of “Line of Putt” in Context of “Standing Astride or On Line of Putt”

Q. With reference to the sketch above, the broken line is a direct line from the ball to the hole and the solid line is the line on which the player intends his ball to travel. Which line is “the line of putt” for purposes of application of Rule 16-1e (Standing Astride or on Line of Putt)? If the broken line is “the line of putt,” the player will be in breach of Rule 16-1e. If the solid line is the “line of putt,” he will not be in breach of the Rule.

A. The solid line is “the line of putt.”

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 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 and the Exception to Rule 16-1e applies. (Revised)