U.S. Open: The little-known practice rule that had Jim Furyk baffled on Thursday

Hitting a few practice putts on the hole you've just finished (provided, of course, no-one is waiting behind you) is a staple of casual golf. After all, how else are you going to work out those gremlins?

Is it strictly legal, however? Most would assume not, as for obvious reasons you almost never see the pros go back to the green they've just completed to putt again. Heaven knows there are enough pace of play issues as is.

As it turns out, however, there's more leeway given to golfers in this scenario than one might think, and it took yesterday's weather delay at Shinnecock Hills for this to become apparent.

As fog rolled in over the U.S. Open host course on the morning of the first round, a delay was announced while Alejandro Tosti, Matthew Jordan and amateur Chase Kyes were mid-hole. Not only were allowed to finish up play on that hole, but USGA manager Jay Roberts that also revealed they were free to go back and practice putting and chipping on the greens they'd just finished.

“I had no idea,” said Golf Channel lead commentator and former champion Jim Furyk. “I was totally unaware.”

“It’s something a lot of players don’t know,” continued analyst Tom Abbott.

The condition itself falls under USGA Rule 5.5b, which reads as follows:

After completing play of a hole, but before making a stroke to begin another hole, a player must not make a practice stroke.

Exception – Where Player Allowed to Practise Putting or Chipping: The player may practise putting or chipping on or near:

The putting green of the hole just completed and any practice green (see Rule 13.1e), and

The teeing area of the next hole.

But such practice strokes must not be made from a bunker and must not unreasonably delay play (see Rule 5.6a).

So there you go. Next time you hang around for a few practise putts between holes, you can do so safe in the knowledge you're actually doing the right thing.