Golf Rules

What are the rules on putting in golf?

I heard you can pot the ball when its on the green, like in snooker?
Sorry what I meant was, can you use the putter like a snooker cue and lie down on the green to “pot” the ball?

Rule 14-1: “The ball must be fairly struck with the head of the club and may not be pushed, scraped or spooned.”

Rule 16-1e: “A player must not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of the putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.”

Appendix 2 of the rulebook describes legal clubs, including putters.

Also rule 14-3 says you can’t use equipement in an unusual manner. But I would say that rule 14-1 restricts you from hitting the ball as in billiards.

Rules of Golf – Water Hazards 04jan09