In question was whether Brian tested the surface of a putting green in a match with Sara. It sure appeared that way as he brushed the grass as he was in the process of reading the line for a putt. Sara quickly called this to the attention of everyone. Rule 16-1d says, “During the stipulated round, a player must not test the surface of any putting green by rolling a ball or roughing or scraping the surface.”

Brian's actions were indeed suspicious since that's a good way to determine the direction of the grain on Bermuda greens like the ones at the Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo, but the rules official took his word that his intent was not to test the surface, basing it on a decision that allows a player to clean his ball by rubbing it on the green.

I'm not sure I would have reacted the same way if I had been the rules official. It sure appeared to my eyes that he scraped the surface. You should never put your hand on the green in that manner. The USGA recommends that a ball be cleaned in other ways to eliminate any question of a player's intentions. Most of the time questions like this are resolved against the player.

The decisions on the rules makes it clear on Rule 16-1d by going as far and saying that even such action by a player's caddie would result in a penalty even if he did not share that information.

Putting the palm of your hand on a putting green behind the ball to determine if it is wet, however, doesn't infringe the rule. I think the USGA and R&A might want to consider changing this in the future since the intent seems to be testing the surface.

This is also where you ball might end up. Always check with the rules as to how you can proceed in such a situation. (Photo by Isifa/Getty Images)

Rolling a ball is also covered, but a decision does say that rolling a ball or knocking a ball back to your opponent does not infringe the rule. I was challenged on this when playing with Dave Pelz in my member-guest many years ago, but professional Dale Humphrey was up on the rules and indicated that such a casual act was OK as long as my intentions were not to test the surface. I didn't take any chances and just let my opponents pick up conceded putts the rest of the way as Pelz and I emerged as champions.

Rule 16-1a does not allow a player to touch the line of his putt, but permits certain exceptions. He can do so in removing loose impediments, even with the palm of his hand or with a cap or towel. Accidentally walking on it and not improving the line is allowed. Other exceptions include: placing the putter in front of the ball when addressing it as long he does not press anything down, in measuring, in lifting or replacing the ball, in repairing hole plugs or ball marks and in removing movable obstructions. Removing dew or frost doesn't fall into the exceptions; neither does brushing aside or moping up casual water with a towel.