Summer is here, Golf is in Full Swing, but is your putting?
June 19th, 2013
Whichever Tour you are watching, whether it’s the LPGA, the PGA, Web.com, or Champions the first thing you see a golfer do when they reach the green is mark and clean their ball. Cleaning the ball is fundamental for golf pros as they understand that a clean ball is critical to ensuring that the golf ball rolls true when they putt. Many amateurs putt with a dirty ball. The importance of cleaning your golf ball could be the difference between Par and Bogey. When a golf ball is hit from tee to green it picks up dirt and grass stains along the way. When these particles accumulate in and around the dimples of the golf ball it changes the weight of the golf ball, alters the flight and spin, and most importantly the roll.
Cleaning the golf ball when on the green is a rule every golfer should take advantage of. Putting is hard enough as it is, you should remove every variable to make the putt easier. Cleaning the golf ball can help lead to accurate putts and ultimately lower scores……something every golfer strives towards. So the next time you are standing over a birdie putt and you are looking down at a grass stained ball, think twice before you make that stroke.
USGA Rule 21 states: A ball on the putting green may be cleaned when lifted under Rule 16-1b.
USGA Rule 16-1b: Lifting and Cleaning Ball: A ball on the putting green may be lifted and, if desired, cleaned….
