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Question: Is it legal to do a pool table shot in golf?

(Posted by: CJ on 2010-02-01 09:22:15)

I see that all the time on TV and in videos where people when they should be putting actually take the putter and act like they are shooting pool and make a hole in one but if i were to attempt that would it be against the rules of golf

Posted by: John F on 2010-02-01, 11:33:00

There are a few rules you would be violating: 1. The rules of golf say that you must swing at the ball. You cannot "push, scrape, or spoon" the ball. Hitting with a pool cue style would be considered pushing the ball. 2. You can't use the grip end of the putter as your "pool cue". You must hit the ball with the head of the club. You can use any part of the head, but it must be the head. But again, you have to make a swing. You can't push the ball with the head of the club. If you do so, the stroke will count, but you will have to add a two stroke penalty. See Decisions 14-1/2 and 14-1/3.

Posted by: Gary on 2010-02-01, 09:35:33

It isn't illegal to use the grip end of your clubs to strike the ball, but it is illegal to stand on, straddle or lay down on your line of putt. So you could pool shoot it, but you couldn't be behind your ball, you'd have to be on the side. It's not as easy as it looks, you'll have more success putting the traditional way. If it were better or easier, you'd see the pro's doing it on the tour.

Posted by: c g +1 on 2010-02-01, 12:45:55

Gary is not very well informed. John's definition and explanation is completely accurate.

Posted by: green_lantern66 on 2010-02-01, 20:58:57

Illegal- you can use any part of the clubhead, but not the grip. You also have to be on one side of the ball's line, but not on it or straddling it.