Quick Answer
Yes, you are allowed to switch balls on the green under the Rules of Golf. As long as the ball you switch to is not damaged and conforms to the Rules, you can substitute a new ball at any point during the hole. However, you cannot change the brand or model of golf ball you are playing during a stipulated round.
Overview
Golfers are allowed to switch out a ball at any point during a hole under Rule 6.3a of the Rules of Golf. This means that while playing a hole, a player can decide to put a new ball into play off the green, on the green, or even while the previous ball was still in play.
The key considerations when substituting a ball during play are:
- The new ball must not be damaged or cut
- The new ball must conform to the Rules and standards
- You cannot change the brand or model of ball during a stipulated round
As long as the ball meets these criteria, a player can put into play a new ball on any shot during the hole. This would include substituting a ball while on the putting green.
So in answer to the question “Can you switch balls on the green?”, the answer is yes. Let’s take a more in-depth look at what the Rules of Golf say about substituting a ball during play.
Details on the Rule for Substituting Balls
Rule 6.3a states:
“During a hole, if a player’s ball in play is damaged, lost or comes to rest out of bounds, the player may substitute another ball.”
The key takeaways from this Rule are:
- A player can substitute a ball at any point during a hole – there is no penalty.
- This includes substituting a ball while on the putting green.
- The ball must not already be damaged or cut in any way before putting it into play.
Substituting a ball is allowed for any reason – there does not need to be anything wrong with the previous ball. A player could swap out a ball even if the previous ball was in perfect condition.
However, there are limits to the substitution of balls during a round:
- You can only substitute a ball of the same brand and model that you started the round with.
- For example, if you start a round using Titleist Pro V1 balls, you have to substitute a Pro V1 when swapping out a ball during the round.
- You cannot, for instance, swap from a Pro V1 to a Bridgestone Tour B ball during the middle of a round.
This prevents players from trying to gain an advantage by swapping to a different ball model partway through a stipulated round.
So in summary:
- A player can substitute a new ball at any point during a hole.
- This includes while on the putting green.
- The new ball must be the same brand and model and not cut or damaged.
As long as you meet these conditions, switching out golf balls on the green or any other point in the hole is perfectly legal.
Reasons for Substituting Balls on the Green
While you can switch balls at any point for any reason, there are some typical scenarios where players will substitute a new golf ball while on the putting green:
- Ball is scuffed or damaged – If there are scrapes or cuts that could impact the ball’s roll, a player may opt for a pristine new ball on the green.
- Wanting a ball with alignment aid – Some players prefer to putt with a ball that has an alignment line or other visual aids. If their previous ball did not have this, they may switch it out when on the green.
- Changing ball number – The number imprinted on the golf ball is required to match what is recorded on the scorecard. Players may switch to a new ball displaying a different number before holing out.
- Improving visibility – The Rules of Golf do not require that you hole out with the same ball you played the rest of the hole with. So if poor visibility makes finding the original ball difficult, players may substitute a more visible model.
- Superstition – Some golfers are superstitious and prefer to hole out with a specific ball they consider “lucky.”
While most ball substitutions happen for practical reasons like damage or visibility, there is no rule against changing balls purely for superstitious reasons while on the green.
Other Rules Related to Substituting Balls
While Rule 6.3a covers substituting a ball during play of a hole, there are a couple other Rules that relate to changing balls:
Rule 4.2 – Maximum of 14 Clubs
Under Rule 4.2, you are limited to a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag during a stipulated round.
This limit applies to golf balls as well – you can only have up to 14 balls at a time during a round.
So if you substitute a 15th ball into play from your bag at some point during the round, that would be a breach of Rule 4.2 and a 2-stroke penalty would apply.
Rule 5.3 – Beginning a Round
You are only allowed to make a substitution with the same model of golf ball that you started the round with.
Rule 5.3 states that you must begin each stipulated round with a conforming ball – this sets your ball model for the entirety of that round.
So you could not, for instance, start a round using Titleist Pro V1x balls and then swap to TaylorMade TP5 balls later in the round. Your substitutions must match the brand and model you teed off with on the first hole.
This prevents players from gaining an advantage by swapping ball types based on the course conditions or their performance during the round.
When Substituting Balls is Not Allowed
While you generally have free reign to swap out a ball on any shot, including on the green, there are a couple restrictions:
After Playing from a Penalty Area
If you play a ball from a penalty area (yellow or red stakes), you are not allowed to substitute a new ball.
Rule 17.1d states that if you make a stroke at a ball in a penalty area, you must complete the hole with that same ball or another ball substituted under certain other Rules (such as a lost or out of bounds ball).
This prevents players from trying to gain an advantage by swapping balls after hitting from penalty areas, which are often the most difficult spots to play from.
Between Playing from the Teeing Area and Holing Out
You are only allowed to substitute a ball after you have started a hole by playing from the teeing area.
This means you cannot make a substitution before teeing off to begin a hole. Rule 6.3b covers this situation.
And once you hole out on a given hole, you obviously cannot then substitute another ball to play from there, since the hole has been completed.
So the opportunity to swap balls is limited to after tee off and before holing out on a hole.
Penalties for Incorrect Substitutions
There are penalties under the Rules of Golf if you incorrectly substitute a ball during play:
- Substituting a ball when not allowed – General Penalty (2 strokes)
- Substituting a non-conforming ball – Disqualification
- Changing ball model during round – Disqualification
- Putting more than 14 balls in play – General Penalty (2 strokes)
It is important to be aware of these restrictions to avoid risking a penalty by improperly swapping out a ball.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about substituting balls during a round:
Can you change golf balls from the tee to the green?
Yes, you can change to a new ball at any point during a hole, including between the tee shot and shots into or on the green. The substituted ball just needs to be the same model as what you started with.
What happens if you tee off with a non-conforming ball?
You would be disqualified under Rule 5.3a. Your ball must conform to all Rules at the start of a round.
Can you swap a found ball onto the green?
No, you can only substitute a ball you began the round with or another from your own supplies. Rule 6.3c does not permit substituting a ball found on the course.
Can you use a range ball on the course?
No, range balls are considered practice balls. You must play rounds with balls conforming to the Rules and standards.
Can you alternate 2 types of balls hole by hole?
No, you must use the same ball type for all holes in a stipulated round. Switching models between holes would breach Rule 5.3.
Conclusion
Under Rule 6.3a, golfers are permitted to substitute a new ball during the play of a hole, including while putting on the green. This allows switching to a new ball at any point if the previous ball has damage, is lost, or you simply want to swap it out.
The key requirements when making a substitution are:
- New ball cannot be cut or damaged
- Must be the same brand and model you started the round with
- Cannot make more than 14 substitutions during the round
As long as you meet these conditions, switching to a new golf ball while on the putting green is completely legal based on the Rules of Golf. Just be aware of situations like playing from a penalty area where substitutions are restricted.