You can imagine the scene: It’s suddenly started lashing down with rain and you’re getting a soaking. You want to get off a green as quickly as possible to find shelter.
Having played up to within tap-in distance, you hurry towards the hole to put it in. As you do so, your playing partner who is holding an umbrella moves to the edge of the hole and holds the brolly over your head as you knock your ball into the hole.
It would seem a sensible and friendly thing to do. But is it allowed under The Rules of Golf?
The simple answer is – no.
It’s covered by Rule 10 which is - Preparing for and making a stroke; advice and help; caddies.
Specifically, you need to look to 10.2b(5) – Physical help, eliminating distractions, and protection from the elements.
It says that a player must not make a stroke with their caddie or any other person (that would include a playing partner) giving them protection from sunlight, rain, wind or other elements.
If a playing partner were to hold an umbrella over you as you tapped in a putt, even if it was a very short putt, you would be in breach of this Rule and the penalty would be the general penalty of two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play.
You would, however, be able to hold an umbrella over your own head as you tapped in.
If you grabbed a brolly and ran up to the edge of the hole holding it over your own head, you could tap in one handed.
That’s because Rule 10.2b(5) also says the Rule does not prevent the player from taking their own actions to protect against the elements while making a stroke.
So, can a playing partner hold an umbrella over your head while you putt? No. Can you hold an umbrella over your own head while you putt? Yes.
It’s worth knowing that one. It might seem a generous act but if you accept such help from your playing partner, you’re going to be penalised.
