Scoring Rules

Wrong Green

A putting green that does not belong to the hole being played.
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Wrong green refers to any putting green on the course other than the green of the hole currently being played. This includes practice greens and greens of other holes. If a player’s ball comes to rest on a wrong green, it is considered interference, and the player must not play the ball as it lies.

How Golfers Say It

"He’s on the wrong green."
"That’s the wrong green, you can’t play it."
"Take relief off that green."

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Origin

The term comes directly from the Rules of Golf, where “wrong green” is defined to distinguish the correct putting surface from all other greens on the course.

Rules & Context

Under the Rules of Golf, a player must take free relief if the ball lies on a wrong green or if the wrong green interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing. The ball must be dropped in the nearest point of complete relief, not nearer the hole. There is no penalty for taking this relief, but playing from a wrong green is not allowed.

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Neil's Take

"It’s one of the few times you actually have to take relief. You don’t get a choice, you have to move it."

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if your ball is on the wrong green?

You must take free relief and move the ball off the green to the nearest point of complete relief.

Can you putt from a wrong green?

No, playing a ball from a wrong green is not allowed under the Rules of Golf.

Is there a penalty for being on the wrong green?

No, there is no penalty as long as you take the required relief before playing.

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