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Should You Be Allowed to Fix Spike Marks on the Green?

đź“Ś A Rule That Makes No Sense?

You hit a perfect putt—great speed, right on line—then, at the last second… BAM.

🚨 It hits a spike mark and veers off course.

Nothing feels worse than getting robbed of a great putt because of something that wasn’t your fault.

But should golfers be allowed to fix spike marks before putting, or would that slow the game down too much?

Let’s break it down:

âś” What the rules actually say

âś” Why spike marks are such a problem

✔ Should the rule change—or is it fine as it is?

⛳ What Do the Rules Say About Fixing Spike Marks?

According to Rule 13.1c of the Rules of Golf (USGA), golfers ARE allowed to repair spike marks on the putting green.

🚨 But here’s where it gets tricky:

• You can’t delay play excessively while fixing marks.

• You can only repair marks that were made by shoes, balls, or maintenance tools—not natural imperfections.

✅ Translation: You CAN fix spike marks, but if you go overboard and start smoothing the entire green, you’ll annoy everyone.

🤯 Why Are Spike Marks Such a Problem?

Golfers don’t wear metal spikes anymore, but even soft spikes can leave marks that:

âś” Change the break of a putt

âś” Cause putts to bounce unpredictably

âś” Get worse as the day goes on

On public courses, late afternoon greens are a disaster—it’s like putting on a battlefield.

🚨 The Problem: Even though fixing spike marks is legal now, not all golfers know that.

🏌️ Should This Rule Be Changed Further?

Even though we can repair spike marks, some golfers argue the rule should go further. Here are the two sides:

â›” Argument AGAINST Changing the Rule (Leave It Alone!)

âś… You can already fix spike marks.

âś… Fixing every imperfection would slow the game down.

âś… Golf is supposed to be about adapting to the course.

âś… Argument FOR Making the Rule Even More Player-Friendly

🚨 Some golfers think the rule should allow:

âś” Smoothing the entire putting path before putting.

âś” More relaxed rules for poor green conditions.

âś” Faster greens maintenance to prevent marks in the first place.

📢 What’s Your Take?

Should golfers be allowed to do more to fix spike marks, or is the rule fine as it is?

Let’s settle this debate! 👇

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The Golf Bandit
The Golf Bandit

Hi, I'm Jan. I'm passionate about golf and have been playing for years. I love testing out new clubs and equipment, and I share my reviews right here on my blog. With access to the latest gear, I provide honest insights on how they perform on the course. I also enjoy sharing tips and tricks to help you improve your game. Thanks for visiting—hope you find something useful!

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