You can’t even putt from the ‘wrong green’

A ‘wrong green’ is defined as “any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole you are playing.” The definitions go on to say that “wrong greens are part of the general area.” But no one will thank you if you just wonder on to the wrong green and swish your ball away as you would elsewhere in the general area.

Thankfully, Rule 13.1f prohibits play from a wrong green and you must take free relief at the nearest point, not the nearer the hole where the wrong green doesn't interfere with the lie of your ball, or your area of intended stance or swing. The rule is most commonly broken when two greens lie close together with only very short fringe grass between them. Putting would be a natural choice, but you are not allowed to play from the wrong green however close together they are and whatever club you are using.

You can't even stand on the wrong green to putt, which is worth remembering on narrow link courses where certain front-nine and back-nine greens lie close together.