Rules Guy: Can my caddie touch the green to help me with my aim?

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.

According to the new rules, players are allowed to tap down spike marks and imperfections on the green with their putter on their intended line. Yet caddies and players can’t touch the putting line to show an aiming spot with their finger. What’s the difference? —Layne Yawn, Jonesboro, Ark.

You’ve been sleeping on the job, Yawn. The difference is that’s not the rule anymore.

Players and caddies are permitted to touch the putting green, on or off their line of play, to point out an aiming spot.

Back in 2019, when players became allowed to repair certain damage on the green, they were also no longer prohibited from touching their line of play.

What players and caddies can’t do is set down an object anywhere on the course to show a line of play, per Rule 10.2b(1).

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

Can someone who has finished his round come back out and caddie for another player? It doesn’t seem right, but is it legal? —Dan Kelly, Hopkins, Minn.

Dan, you know the saying, “There’s an app for that”? Well, the USGA has an Interpretation for that, specifically, 10.3a/2.

To spare you the suspense … it’s entirely legal.

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 rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.

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