a) Touching the putting line
The putting line may not be touched, except
(I) the player may move loose obstructing natural materials without pressing anything down;
(II) when addressing the golf ball the player may place the club in front of the ball without pressing anything down;
(III) when measuring - Rule 18-6;
(IV) when picking up or putting the ball back - Rule 16-1b;
(V) when pressing in a ball marker;
(VI) mending old hole plugs or holes in balls on the green - Rule 16-1c; and
(VII) when moving movable obstructions - Rule 24-1.
(Indicate putting line on the green - see Rule 8-2b.)
b) Picking up and cleaning the ball
A ball on the green may be picked up and cleaned if desired. The position of the ball must be marked before it is picked up and the ball must be put back (see Rule 20-1).
c) Repairing hole plugs, ball holes and other damage
The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the green caused by a ball impact, whether or not his ball is on the green. If a ball or ball marker is inadvertently moved during such a repair, the ball or ball marker must be put back. This is not a penalty if the movement of the ball or ball marker is directly attributable to the actual act of repairing an old hole plug or damage to the green caused by a ball being hit. Otherwise Rule 18 applies.
Any other damage to the green may not be repaired if this could be of benefit to the player in his subsequent play of the hole.
d) Checking the surface
During the scheduled round, a player may not test the surface of any green by rolling a ball or by roughening or scratching the surface.
Exception: Between the play of two holes, a player may check the surface of any practice green or the green of the last hole played, unless prohibited by the Director of Golf (see Note 2 to Rule 7-2).
e) Standing over or on the putting line
A player may not take a stroke on the green from a position where he is standing behind the ball on either side of the line of putt, including any extension of that line, or touching that line, including any extension of that line, with one of his feet.
Exception: It is not punishable if the stance is taken unintentionally on or above the putting line (or an extension of this line behind the ball) or if it is taken in order to avoid standing on the putting line or the anticipated putting line of another player.
f) Making a stroke while another ball is in motion
The player may not take a stroke as long as another ball is in motion after a stroke made on the green, unless the player concerned should have played first according to the sequence of play, in which case his action remains unpunished. (Picking up a ball that assists or hinders play while another ball is in motion - see Rule 22).
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 16-1:
Hole play - Hole loss; Counting play - Two strokes.
(Position of caddy or partner - see Rule 14-2.)
(Wrong green - see Rule 25-3.)
Status: 2018