Trevor Ng
In the game of golf, the term fringe refers to the grass adjoining the putting surface, which is mowed to a height slightly higher than the grass on the putting green. It is a separate part of the course, acting as a buffer between the green and the higher rough outside of the green. The fringe is also known as the collar or apron, and is often referred to colloquially as frog hair. The fringe presents a unique challenge for golfers, as they must adapt their putting or chipping strategy when their ball lands on this slightly taller grass, which can slow down the roll of the ball.
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What You'll Learn
The fringe is a separate part of the golf course
The fringe is an integral part of any golf course, serving as a buffer zone or transition area between the putting green and the rest of the course. It is a separate entity from the green, with its own distinct characteristics and rules of play.
The fringe refers to the grass adjoining the putting surface, typically mowed to a height slightly higher than the grass on the green but lower than the surrounding rough. This creates a smooth transition from the closely mowed putting surface to the higher grass of the fairways or rough. The fringe is often referred to as the "collar" or "apron," and it is an important feature in both professional and amateur golf.
One of the key distinctions of the fringe is that it is subject to different rules than the putting green. Golfers are not permitted to mark, lift, clean, or replace their ball on the fringe, as these actions are reserved for the green itself. This distinction can significantly impact a player's strategy and approach to the game.
The fringe presents a unique challenge for golfers. When a ball comes to rest on the fringe, players must decide whether to putt or chip their next shot. Putting from the fringe is possible due to the relatively low height of the grass, but the higher grass will cause the ball to roll slower, requiring a harder strike. Alternatively, golfers may choose to chip the ball, launching it slightly into the air to avoid the resistance of the fringe grass. However, this option requires precision and a careful reading of the terrain.
In addition to its functional role, the fringe also enhances the aesthetic appeal of a golf course. It provides a polished, high-end finish to the putting green, concealing any seams or edges for a seamless look. The fringe's ability to blend the putting surface with the surrounding landscape gives the course a more natural and elegant appearance.
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Putting from the fringe
When putting from the fringe, it is important to make enough practice swings to get a feel for the shot and to ensure you can get the ball through the fringe with enough roll to reach the hole. You will likely need to add a little more power than a standard putt to get through the thicker grass. It is also important to consider how much fringe you have to play through. The longer the grass, or the more fringe you have to play through, the harder you will need to strike the ball. However, be careful not to strike the ball too hard, or it may run off the green.
Another common mistake golfers make when putting from the fringe is not paying attention to ball position. When putting from the fringe, move the ball up slightly in your stance, forward of centre, to catch the ball on the upswing without digging the putter into the fringe. If the ball is too far back in your stance, you could trap the ball and cause it to bounce or skid.
While putting is a good option when your ball lands on the fringe, it is not always the best choice. Sometimes it can be beneficial to get a little loft on the ball, especially if there is long grass behind it that your putter might get caught in. In these situations, you may be better off using a fairway wood or a hybrid club that can slide through the grass more easily. Alternatively, you could chip the ball, hitting it with a downward blow to launch it slightly into the air and avoid the fringe slowing it down. However, this type of shot requires precision.
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Chipping from the fringe
When deciding whether to putt or chip from the fringe, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, if there is long grass behind the ball, it is better to chip it, as a putter could get caught in the grass. Secondly, consider the amount of fringe to go through. A couple of feet of fringe is manageable, but five feet or more will require a more powerful shot to get through the fringe, so you don't want the ball to then run off the green.
If you decide to chip, it is important to focus on creating solid contact with the ball and avoiding any wrist flipping or flicking at the ball. This is called the hinge-and-hold method, where you hinge your wrists during the backswing and downswing, and accelerate through the ball to stop the clubface from closing in with your hands.
It is also worth noting that, traditionally, putting is only considered to be putting if it is done from the green. If a player putts from the fringe, it is considered a stroke, not a putt.
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The fringe is a transition zone
In golf, the "fringe" is a term used to describe the grass adjoining the putting surface that is cut to a height slightly higher than the grass on the putting green. The grass on the fringe is still relatively short and well-maintained, and it is often referred to as the "collar" or "apron". The fringe is a distinct part of the course, separate from the putting green, and is considered a transition zone or buffer between the putting green and the higher rough or fairway outside of it.
The fringe typically has grass about halfway between green and fairway heights. This allows golfers to putt when their ball lands on the fringe, although they must strike the putt harder as the ball will roll slower due to the slightly longer grass. Alternatively, golfers can choose to chip from the fringe, hitting the ball slightly into the air to avoid slowing down in the fringe grass.
The fringe is an important feature of golf course design, providing a smooth transition between the putting surface and the rest of the course. It adds a level of realism to practice sessions by simulating real golf course conditions. Additionally, it serves a practical purpose by acting as a safety buffer around the putting green. If a golfer hits a putt too hard, the fringe grass can slow down the ball and prevent it from skidding off into the surrounding area.
When it comes to rules and statistics, the fringe is treated differently from the putting green. Golfers are not allowed to mark, lift, clean, or replace their ball on the fringe as they can on the green. If a player's ball stops on the fringe and they then putt it across the fringe onto the green, it does not count as a putt for stat-tracking purposes. Instead, it is considered a stroke, as traditional putts can only be made from the putting green according to professional standards.
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Rules on the fringe
The fringe in golf is a strip of grass that surrounds the putting green. It is cut to a height that is slightly higher than the grass on the putting surface but shorter than the grass in the rough. This area is also known as the collar or apron and serves as a buffer zone between the green and the rough.
When a ball comes to rest on the fringe, golfers have a few options. They may choose to putt the ball, although it will roll slower due to the longer grass. Alternatively, they can chip the ball, lifting it slightly to avoid slowing down in the fringe grass. However, this requires precision.
It is important to note that the fringe is subject to different rules than the putting green. Golfers are not permitted to mark, lift, clean, or replace their ball on the fringe, as these actions are only allowed on the green. When recording statistics, it is worth mentioning that putting from the fringe is not considered a traditional putt by professionals. Only putts made from the putting green are counted as such.
The fringe is an essential component of a golf course as it provides a smooth transition from the putting surface to the rest of the course. It enhances the aesthetics of the course by concealing seams and edges, giving it a polished look. Additionally, it serves a practical purpose by acting as a safety buffer. If a golfer hits a putt too hard, the fringe grass slows down the ball, preventing it from skidding off into surrounding areas.
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Frequently asked questions
The fringe is a band of slightly taller grass around the edge of the putting green. It is a separate part of the course and is not considered to be part of the green.
The fringe acts as a transition zone between the smooth putting surface and the rest of the course. It also serves as a safety buffer, slowing down balls that have been hit too hard and preventing them from rolling away.
Because the fringe is not part of the green, golfers are not allowed to mark, lift, clean or replace their ball when it is on the fringe. If a player's ball stops on the fringe and they then putt it across the fringe onto the green, it does not count as a putt for stat-tracking purposes.
Instead of putting, a golfer could consider chipping from the fringe, which involves launching the ball slightly into the air to avoid slowing down in the longer grass.
The grass on the fringe should be mowed to a height that is slightly higher than the grass on the putting green, typically about halfway between green and fairway heights. It should be firm enough for a golf ball to roll on it, albeit at a slower speed than on the green.
