Can You Practice Putting During a Round of Golf?

Ever lag a putt 10 feet short and immediately wish you could have a do-over? The frustration is real, and the first instinct for many golfers is to drop another ball and try again. But can you actually practice putting during a round without getting penalized? The short answer is sometimes yes, and sometimes no. This guide will walk you through exactly when you can and can't practice on the green, explaining the rules in simple terms and giving you practical ways to legally work on your putting in the middle of a round to save strokes.

The Straight Answer: Understanding the Official Rule

The rules of golf can feel a bit complicated, but this one is fairly straightforward once you break it down. During the play of a hole - meaning from the moment you tee off until you hole out - you are generally prohibited from making a practice stroke. This is covered under Rule 5.5a (No Practice Strokes While Playing a Hole).

A "practice stroke" is defined as any stroke not made as part of playing a hole. So, if your ball is on the green and you've missed a putt, dropping a second ball and stroking it toward the hole is a classic example of a practice stroke. Doing this would earn you the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play).

The spirit of this rule is to maintain the challenge of the game. Golf is about performing a skill under pressure, getting unlimited "practice swings" with a ball would fundamentally change that. Every stroke counts, and that's what makes the game what it is. So, while your playing partners might not call a penalty on you in a casual Saturday game, it's a rule you absolutely need to know for any kind of competitive or handicap-posting round.

What Counts as a "Practice Stroke"? (And What Doesn't)

This is where many golfers get confused. The penalty isn't for a practice swing, but for a practice stroke. The Rules of Golf make a clear distinction between the two. A stroke is the "forward movement of the club made to strike the ball."

Here’s a simple breakdown of what's allowed and what's not during the play of a hole:

• NOT ALLOWED: Hitting a second ball on the green to test the line or speed.
• NOT ALLOWED: Hitting your own ball again after you've already made a stroke at it (unless it qualifies as another official stroke in playing out the hole).
• NOT ALLOWED: Chipping a stray ball from the fringe onto the green you're currently playing.
• ALLOWED: Taking as many practice swings as you need without a ball. Feel free to rehearse the motion beside your ball to get a feel for the length and pace of your stroke.
• ALLOWED: Tapping your foot or the putter head on the green to remove loose impediments (as long as you dont improve your line of play by doing so).

The bottom line is simple: during the play of a hole, you can swing your putter, but you can't hit a ball for practice.

The "Between Holes" Exception: Your Legal Practice Window

Now for the good news. The moment you hole out, the rules change completely. Rule 5.5b (Practice Between Two Holes) specifically allows you to practice on or near the putting green of the hole you just finished.

This is your golden opportunity. Once everyone in your group has putted out, you are free to drop a couple of balls and work on your putting or even chipping from the fringe. You can also practice on or near the teeing area of the next hole and any designated practice green. However, there are a couple of very important limitations to this freedom:

1. You must not unreasonably delay play. The pace of play is paramount. If the group behind you is already waiting in the fairway, you cannot spend five minutes grinding over 3-footers. More on this in a moment.
2. You cannot practice out of a bunker. While you can chip and putt, taking practice swings in a greenside bunker is strictly forbidden between holes.
3. You cannot play a practice stroke from anywhere you wouldn't be allowed to play from. This is not the time to hit a ball from the fairway to test the green. The permission to practice putting and chipping.

This "between holes" window is where smart players gather information. You noticed the greens were faster than the practice green? Now’s your chance to hit a few putts and recalibrate your sense of speed before heading to the next tee.

How to Effectively Use Your Between-Hole Practice Time

Just because you can practice doesn't mean you should do it randomly. To get the most Pout of these brief windows, you need a plan. The goal isn't to fix your entire putting stroke - it's to gather immediate, actionable feedback to use for the rest of your round.

1. Respect the Pace of Play Above All

This cannot be stressed enough. The #1 rule of between-hole practice is to be quick and efficient. Never, ever hold up the group behind you. A good rule of thumb is to only practice if your group has a bit of a wait before teeing off on the next hole. If the coast is clear behind you and your group gives you the okay, take a minute. If you hear someone yell "Fore!" from the fairway, put the balls back in your pocket and move on immediately.

2. Replicate the Putt You Just Struggled With

This is the most valuable use of your practice time. Let's say you had a 20-foot, downhill, right-to-left putt and you blasted it six feet past the hole. Once you're done with the hole, go back to a similar spot and try it again. Try to remember what you felt on the "real" putt.

• Focus on Pace: Did you hit it too hard or too soft? For your practice putts, focus solely on getting the speed right. Don't even worry if it goes in. Hit one putt visualizing it dying at the hole. Hit another visualizing it going 12-18 inches past. This helps "re-wire" your feel for the greens' speed.
• Check Your Read: Did you misread the break? Hit one putt playing the break you originally saw. Then, hit another playing more or less break. This instant feedback helps confirm your reads (or highlights a tendency to under-read or over-read).

3. Get a Feel for the Fringe and Collar

Sometimes the trickiest shots are from just off the green. The grass might be a little sticky, making it tough to judge how a chip will react or if you should use your putter (a "Texas wedge"). During your between-hole practice, drop a ball on the fringe.

• Putt vs. Chip: Hit one with your putter to see how it rolls through the longer grass. Then, hit one with your chipping club to see how it checks up. Having a fresh feel for this exact lie is excellent data to have in your back pocket for the next time you face a similar shot.
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Often the green speed around the cup is different to other areas. If you've got time, pop a couple of balls down 3 or 4 feet from another hole on the green and roll a couple. You will often experience the speed here as quicker than others and it's invaluable feedback.

Gray Areas and Etiquette: Playing Smartly and Courteously

Simply being allowed to do something doesn't always mean you should. Understanding the etiquette around on-course practice is just as important as knowing the rules.

For example, while the rules for stroke play and match play are largely the same regarding between-hole practice, the dynamic in match play can be slightly different. You typically aren't supposed to practice on the putting green of the hole where the match ended if all players will be continuing on to another round afterwards. This is a very niche rule (Committee procedure 8, Model Local rule I-2 - only for after matches if another stipulatived round is to commence) that rarely applies to casual golfers, but highlights how there can be different procedures for different game modes.

However, the real "gray area" for everyday golfers is situational awareness. If your group is having a slow day and you’re already behind the pace of play, it’s best to forgo practice entirely. Your priority should be catching up, not working on your stroke.

Likewise, pay attention to the vibe of your group. If you're playing with serious golfers who are also using the time to gather feedback, feel free to join in. If you're with casual players who just want to keep moving and joking, constantly stopping to practice can disrupt the group's rhythm. The best approach is to be quick, quiet, and efficient - most golfers won't even notice you're doing it if you're smart about it.

Final Thoughts

So, the next time you find yourself on the green with time to spare, you know exactly what you can do. While you can't hit practice putts during the play of a hole, the window between holes provides a valuable, legal opportunity to fine-tune your feel, gather information about the course conditions, and build confidence for the rest of an enjoyable round of golf.

Our goal with Caddie AI is to give you that same sense of confidence across your entire game. Think of it as having an expert caddie available 24/7, ready to help you with things like hole strategy, club selection, or navigating a tricky lie. Instead of second-guessing yourself or trying a risky "practice" shot mid-hole, you can get a smart recommendation in seconds. By removing the uncertainty, you can commit to every shot and focus on what truly matters: playing better, smarter golf.