Rules: Don’t Spit On Your Putter

Can you apply moisture to your …. putter?

Let's be more specific.  Can you put water on your putter to help your putter "stick" to the surface on super slick greens?

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During the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championsip at Doral, Jordan Spieth actually asked for a ruling before putting if he could wet his putter either with a wet towel or his fingers.  Apparently, this stumped the rules official and five holes later after conferring with the USGA, Spieth was informed that he could not do it (it came down to intent).  He could clean the putter with a towel provided it was already wet but not his wet fingers.

Spieth says his putter tends to slip when he grounds it on shiny greens.  During his practice sessions, he wets the bottom of the putter with a towel or by using his fingers.  Since there is not even a Golf Decision for this type of situation, the USGA and R&A are in discussions for a potential rule change.

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