[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "Putting 10-Second Rule (ten-second rule)?"

When the ball is resting on the edge of the hole, you can only wait up to 10 seconds.

The putted ball is precariously hanging on the edge of the hole.

This situation is described as a ‘golf ball dangle on the edge of the hole,’ ‘sitting on the hole,’ or ‘golf ball hung from the edge of the hole.’ Even in small bets, disputes often arise because players are unaware of the ‘putting 10-second rule.’ A representative case occurred at the RBC Heritage of the PGA Tour held on the 18th at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA.

Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) had a 9.75m birdie putt on the 3rd hole (par 4) in the 3rd round, and the ball stopped right in front of the hole. It was a spot where even a slight breeze could have caused the ball to drop in. In fact, the ball fell into the hole 55 seconds after it hung on the edge. However, because too much time had elapsed, he ultimately received a one-stroke penalty, and the score was recorded as par instead of birdie.

According to golf rule 13.3a, a player may wait an additional 10 seconds after walking to the hole. Kim Si-woo watched the ball near the hole for too long. Despite making consecutive birdies from the 2nd hole (par 5) through the 5th hole, the official intervened and adjusted the 3rd hole birdie to par. The ‘putting 10-second rule’ is fundamental. Tour players must be fully aware of this rule, and amateur golfers should also know it.

A: Oh, so close! Your ball dangled on the edge of the hole. But I think it is deemed to be at rest.

B: Well, I’ll wait a few seconds and see if it rolls in. May I wait another ten seconds?

A: No, you cannot. You have to receive a one-stroke penalty for exceeding the ‘ten-second rule’ even if the ball drops into the hole.

B: Okay then. I’ll hole out.

Written and photographed by Kim Maeng-nyeong, golf columnist

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.