How Long Can a Golfer Wait for a Putt to Drop?

It’s a heart-stopping moment every golfer has dreamed of (or agonized over): your putt rolls perfectly, slows down, and hangs right on the edge of the cup, defying gravity. You hold your breath, whispering pleas to the golf gods. How long can you legally wait for it to drop? This article will break down the official rule about a ball overhanging the hole, explain the specific time limit you have, and walk you through what happens when a putt finally falls in a little late.

The Official Ruling: A Closer Look at Rule 13.3a

In golf, few situations cause as much confusion or debate among playing partners as the "hanger." To get a clear answer, we turn directly to the Rules of Golf, specifically Rule 13.3a: Ball Overhanging Hole. The rule states that if any part of your ball overhangs the lip of the hole, you are allowed a "reasonable time" to reach the hole and then an additional 10 seconds to see if it will fall in on its own.

If the ball drops in during that 10-second window, you have holed out with your previous stroke. If it drops in after the 10-second window has passed, the ball is still considered holed, but you must add one penalty stroke to your score.

This is a two-part timer. It’s not simply 10 seconds from the moment your ball stops. It’s a combination of walk time and wait time. Let’s break down exactly what that means for you on the course.

Breaking Down the "10-Second Wait": A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding the theory is one thing, but applying it under pressure is another. Here is a simple, step-by-step process to follow the next time you leave a putt shivering on the lip. Think of it as your field guide to handling a hanger correctly.

Step 1: Your "Reasonable Time" to Reach the Hole

The first part of the rule gives you a "reasonable time" to get to the hole. What does "reasonable" mean? The rule book clarifies that you can't deliberately delay your advance to the hole to buy more time. You should walk at your normal pace without any unnecessary stops or detours.

• DO: Walk toward your ball at a normal pace, just as you would with any other putt.
• DON'T: Mark your playing partner's ball on the other side of the green, tie your shoe, or check the wind direction to stall for more time. Your walk must be for the direct purpose of getting to your own ball.

The rule is designed to prevent a player from waiting across the green, hoping a big gust of wind comes along. You have to go attend to your ball like you normally would.

Step 2: Starting the 10-Second Countdown

The 10-second clock officially begins once you have arrived at your ball. This is the moment of truth. You and your playing partners can now watch and wait to see if gravity (or perhaps a light breeze) gives you a friendly nudge.

How do you track 10 seconds? You don't need a stopwatch, but mentally counting "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand..." is a common and accepted practice. It shows you are aware of the rule and are making a good faith effort to abide by it.

Step 3: Scenario A - The Ball Drops Within 10 Seconds

This is the outcome we all hope for. You've walked to the ball, started your count, and on "seven-one-thousand," it teeters and drops into the cup. Wonderful!

• The Ruling: You have holed out with your previous stroke.
• The Score: Let's say that was your third shot, a putt for par. Your score for the hole is a 3. You just made par. No penalties, just a great story to tell at the 19th hole.

Step 4: Scenario B - The Ball Drops After 10 Seconds

Here's the trickier situation. You walk to the ball, you wait the full 10 seconds, and... nothing. You sigh in disappointment and turn to tap it in. But just as you're taking your stance, or a second after you decide the wait is over, the ball drops into the hole.

• The Ruling: The ball is considered holed, but you must add one penalty stroke.
• The Score: Using the same example, that par putt was your third stroke. Because the ball fell in after the time limit, you must add a penalty stroke. The ball is now considered holed with your fourth stroke. Your score for the hole is a 4. You made a bogey.

The key here is that the ball is treated as if you tapped it in. The wait expired, making it your turn to act. By falling in at that point, it’s basically saving you a physical tap-in but not the stroke that would have accompanied it.

Famous Examples from the Pros: The Rule in Action

Seeing how the professionals have handled this exact situation can help solidify the concept. These moments from major tournaments are perfect illustrations of the 10-second rule under the brightest lights.

The GOAT’s Iconic Moment: Tiger Woods at the 2005 Masters

Perhaps the most famous "hanger" in golf history occurred on the 16th green at Augusta National. Tiger Woods hit a miraculous chip shot from behind the green that tracked perfectly to the hole, paused on the very edge with the Nike swoosh on full display, and then, after about two famous seconds, tumbled into the cup. The crowd erupted.

Because the ball dropped well within the 10-second window, it was a textbook example of a legal holing. Tiger correctly recorded it as a birdie two on his way to winning the green jacket. It was not chance that made it legal, it was his compliance with Rule 13.3a. He walked up to the hole in a reasonable time and saw it fall before the time was up.

A Cautionary Tale: Julius Boros at the 1963 Phoenix Open

For an example of the opposite outcome, we go back to Hall of Famer Julius Boros. In 1963, he had a putt hang on the lip of the hole. Believing it would not fall, he started to walk away. His playing partners and caddie continued to watch the ball. Some reports suggest up to a full minute passed before it finally gave way and dropped in.

Because the wait far exceeded the allowable 10 seconds, Boros was assessed a one-stroke penalty. He correctly applied the rule to himself, adding a stroke to what would have been a birdie. It’s a great piece of golf history that shows the rule's integrity and how it prevents players from gaining an unfair advantage by simply waiting indefinitely.

The Spirit of the Rule: Why Does It Even Exist?

At its heart, the rule for a ball overhanging the hole is about fairness and maintaining the pace of play. Golf is a game where we contend with the course and the elements, but within a reasonable structure.

Imagine if no time limit existed. A player could theoretically wait minutes for a strong gust of wind or for vibrations from a nearby mower to jostle the ball into the cup. This would grind the game to a halt and feel out of step with the sport's spirit. Golf is a game of shots, not a game of waiting.

The 10-second rule strikes a perfect balance. It acknowledges the exciting, random nature of a ball teetering on the edge and gives the player a fair chance to benefit from that luck. At the same time, it provides a distinct cutoff point that keeps the game moving forward and ensures that players ultimately earn their scores by striking the ball, not by playing a waiting game.

Final Thoughts

The next time your putt hangs agonizingly on the edge of the hole, you'll know exactly what to do. Walk calmly to your ball, begin your 10-second countdown, and hope for the best, secure in your knowledge of Rule 13.3a and prepared to apply whatever the outcome may be.

While that 10-second window is something you have to manage on your own, dealing with uncertainty in other parts of your game is where we can step in. When you’re facing a tough lie tucked in the rough or feel stuck between clubs for an important approach shot, it can be just as stressful as waiting on a putt. This is why we built Caddie AI. Simply describe your situation or take a picture of your lie, and you'll get instant, pro-level advice on how to play the shot, helping you play with the confidence that comes from clarity.