A Wrong Green is any putting green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. To protect putting surfaces, Rule 13.1f(2) prohibits a player from making a stroke from a Wrong Green. This prohibition applies when there is interference from the Wrong Green, meaning any part of the player’s ball touches the Wrong Green, or the Wrong Green physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing. The inclusion of stance and swing interference is an important nuance that is often overlooked.
Relief from a Wrong Green is taken by identifying the Nearest Point of Complete Relief in the General Area and then dropping a ball within one club-length of, and not nearer the hole, than that point. When determining the Nearest Point of Complete Relief, the player must consider not only the lie of the ball but also the intended areas of stance and swing.
At the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, this past May, the 8th and 10th greens were positioned in close proximity, creating a significant likelihood that a ball played on the 8th hole could come to rest on the 10th green. Balls rolling off the back of the 8th green frequently had enough momentum to reach the 10th green. Complicating matters, the front portion of the 10th green slopes sharply toward a Penalty Area. As a result, a player taking mandatory relief from the Wrong Green could be left with a less than desirable relief area.
To address this situation, the PGA of America Rules Committee adopted Model Local Rule D-3, Prohibiting Relief From Wrong Green When Only Stance Interference Exists. This Local Rule eliminates stance interference as a basis for interference from a Wrong Green and limits interference to situations involving the lie of the ball and the area of intended swing. As a result, a player taking relief from the Wrong Green could drop a ball on the fringe immediately adjacent to the putting green. The use of this Model Local Rule provided a better relief option for players (particularly left-handed players) who would have been required to drop on the Penalty Area side of the 10th green.
I had the privilege of serving as the walking Rules official for the fifth-to-last group on Sunday and encountered a Wrong Green ruling involving Maverick McNealy (pictured). His tee shot on the 8th hole rolled off the back of the putting green and came to rest in the middle of the 10th green. After measuring in both directions, we determined that the nearest point of complete relief was located off the front of the 10th green toward the penalty area. Under the Model Local Rule, Maverick was able to put his ball back into play by dropping on the fringe within a few inches of the edge of the 10th green. From there, he used his putter to play the ball back to the 8th green.
When dealing with a Wrong Green, it is important to remember that relief is mandatory, and that the Committee has the option to implement a Local Rule eliminating stance interference. This Local Rule can be particularly appropriate when taking full relief would require a player to drop in heavy rough or another location that would create a substantial disadvantage compared to playing the ball from where it originally came to rest.
PGA of America Life Member Brian Hamilton is a member of the PGA of America Rules Committee.
