Clarification

[3puttwizard]

Club competition

Player A is putting.

Player B stands behind Player A to watch his line.

This is a singles tournament.

Player A can ask Player B to move?

[aces_up1504]

I dont think its a case of player B being asked to move but more over it is illegal for player B to be behind the putt of player A when the putt is hit but it is ok for him to move into line once the putt has been struck.

[3puttwizard]

I thought it came under general etiquette the same as standing durectly behind someone on the tee rather than to the side.

[Longshot]

I thought it came under general etiquette the same as standing durectly behind someone on the tee rather than to the side.

It's harder to get a line on the tee box  ::laugh:

[3puttwizard]

NSS

[Longshot]

NSS

My point is you can cover the tee box issue under etiquette but not the putting one.

[3puttwizard]

ok thanks.

[MisterS3]

My understanding is that if its a caddie or partner they can't stand behind the line (or more likely as an extension of the line behind) of the putt as you make the stroke - see the LPGA caddies/

But an opponent can. Why they don't is more a question of etiquette?

eg if my putt is on the same line as yours but a foot closer. I'd be stupid not to stand with a view of the putt. I probably wouldn't stand right behind you as i couldn't see the putt. But i would be as close as possible to the line.

I think Parnavik is infamous for taking a few big steps at tournament back in the day to get a good view of the line. My mate told me about it - i've never seen it.

[Tin Pot]

... but more over it is illegal for player B to be behind the putt of player A when the putt is hit...

I can't find a Rule to support that.

But in the Ettiquette section 'Consideration for Other Player' is this:

On the Putting Green
On the putting green, players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or, when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.
Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

In Definitions the Line of Putt extends a 'reasonable' distance backward.

So, in all you can if your not disturbing the competitor or crowding him out or being inconsiderate in any other way.  The fact that you benefit from the read seems irrelevant.

[Foxholer]

TP.

I think the paragraph above that quote - in Etiquette section of RofG 2008 (page 27) covers what you were asking.

Ross

[3puttwizard]

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

[MisterS3]

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

Etiquette...not rule. Remind me to do this to TP next time we play and watch him implode

[3puttwizard]

You can guess who A and B were  ::laugh:

[MisterS3]

You can guess who A and B were  ::laugh:

You'll be getting the full matchplay treatment at S&A when you are putting

[3puttwizard]

You'll be getting the full matchplay treatment at S&A when you are putting

Not before you've received the wedge treatment on the 1st tee