The ruling in plain English
Yes. If your ball is on another hole's putting green, do not play it there. Take free, complete relief: find the nearest point clear of the wrong green in the same area of the course, then drop within one club-length, no nearer the hole.
Apply the Rule on the course
Your ball can be off the wrong green and still require relief. If the green interferes with your normal stance or swing, you must take free, complete relief—subject to the Local Rule note below for stance-only interference.
- 1
Confirm that this is a wrong green, not the putting green of the hole you are playing.
- 2
Find the nearest point where neither the ball nor your reasonable stance or swing touches the wrong green.
- 3
Drop the original ball or another ball in a one-club-length relief area in the same area of the course and no nearer the hole.
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What else matters
Correct relief is free. Playing from the wrong green instead of taking required relief incurs the general penalty.
Exceptions
- You cannot claim relief by choosing an obviously unreasonable stance or shot just to make the wrong green interfere.
- Check the Local Rules: a club can adopt Model Local Rule D-3, which removes relief when the wrong green affects only your stance, not your ball or swing.
Common mistakes
- Playing a putt from the wrong green.
- Choosing a convenient spot rather than the nearest complete-relief point.
- Taking partial relief that leaves stance or swing on the wrong green.
Remember: Wrong green: lift, find complete relief, drop.
R&A Rule 13.1f
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.