[JavaNut]

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Local rule. They don't want people chipping off the green, so they let you take a free drop.



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Just one problem here. That local rule is not allowed according to the rules of golf.

The only thing you can prevent is that people play a shot from a wrong green (for which there is specific rule in the rule book) or by local rule also wrong tee grounds.

Also there is nothing in the rules that prevent anybody in using the club they want to use for that stroke.

What if somebody by accident, but not in the course of play, breaks their putter? Aren't they then allowed to put with a wedge or whatever they like? Of course they are, no local rule can prohibit them from doing that.

You should of course take the greatest care not to damage then green.

At St. Andrews at the 18th green several players have chipped because they where so far from the flag and any putting route was almost impossible in the Open Championship over the years.

I do understand that you chose the non-conflict option, why risk getting thrown off the course or getting into a heavy argument.

But aren't the local rules supposed to be approved by the USGA? In Europe the national golf associations requires that the local rules are approved. They do know that there are far too many airheads on local commitees.