If you’ve ever lined up a putt only to see your ball bump and bobble across a green like it’s dodging landmines, congratulations—you’ve experienced aeration holes.
It’s one of golf’s necessary evils, frustrating but essential for keeping greens healthy. But here’s the big question: Can you take relief from aeration holes, or do you just have to deal with them?
Let’s break it down in simple terms, so you know exactly what the Rules of Golf allow—and what they don’t.
Why Do Golf Courses Aerate Greens?
Aeration might seem like an annoyance, but it plays a crucial role in keeping putting surfaces smooth and playable over time.
By punching small holes into the green, golf course superintendents allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots.
This prevents the turf from becoming compacted and dying out, ensuring that the greens stay healthy in the long run.
Unfortunately, aerated greens also mean putts that don’t roll true—which is where the rules come in.
What Do the Rules of Golf Say?
Under normal circumstances, aeration holes are considered a regular part of course maintenance.
That means you CANNOT automatically take relief under the Rules of Golf (Rule 16.1). If your ball lands in an aeration hole on the green, you generally must play it as it lies, no matter how much it messes with your putt.
But there’s an exception…
Local Rule E-4: The Aeration Hole Exception
Some courses or tournament organizers adopt Model Local Rule E-4, which allows players to take free relief if their ball is in or touching an aeration hole. Here’s how it works:
• On the green: You can move your ball to the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole, without penalty.
• In the general area: You can drop the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief.
However, if the aeration hole only affects your stance or line of play, you don’t get relief—it has to be directly interfering with your ball’s position.
Before you tee off, check whether your course has this local rule in place. If they don’t, tough luck—you’ll need to putt through the bumps.
Tips for Playing on Aerated Greens
Since aeration is an unavoidable part of golf, here are a few tricks to help you putt more effectively:
1. Hit Putts a Bit Firmer
• The small holes can slow down your ball, so give putts a little extra pace to keep them rolling true.
2. Forget the Perfect Roll
• Accept that putts may bounce unpredictably. Focus on speed control rather than trying to read every little break.
3. Use More Loft on the Putter (if possible)
• Some pros slightly increase loft to get the ball rolling cleaner over the bumps.
4. Check With the Starter or Pro Shop
• Before your round, ask if the local relief rule is in effect—so you know whether you can move your ball or not.
Final Thoughts
Aerated greens are annoying, but they’re part of golf. If your course has Local Rule E-4, you might be able to take relief—but if not, you’ll have to adjust your putting strategy and deal with it.