Rules of Golf - Rule 8: Advice; Indicating the Line of Play
8-1. Advice
During a stipulated
round, a player must not:
(a) give advice to
anyone in the competition playing on the course other than his partner, or
(b) ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or either of their caddies.
8-2. Indicating Line of
Play
• a.
Other Than On Putting Green
Except on the putting
green, a player may have the line of play indicated to him by anyone, but
no one may be positioned by the player on or close to the line or an extension
of the line beyond the hole while the stroke is being made.
Any mark placed by the player or with his knowledge to indicate the line must
be removed before the stroke is made.
Exception: Flagstick attended or
held up — see Rule
17-1.
• b. On the Putting Green
When the player’s ball is on the putting green, the player, his partner or
either of their caddies may, before but not during the stroke, point out a line
for putting, but in so doing the putting green must not be touched. A mark must
not be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting.
Penalty for Breach of Rule:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play —
Two strokes.
Note: The Committee may, in the
conditions of a team competition (Rule 33-1), permit each team
to appoint one person who may give advice (including pointing out a line for
putting) to members of that team. The Committee may establish conditions
relating to the appointment and permitted conduct of that person, who must be
identified to the Committee before giving advice.