Fringe (Collar)
Course Areas
Explained Simply
The slightly-longer-grass ring surrounding the putting green. Your ball is near the green but not technically on it.
Example
“Your approach shot stops just short of the putting surface, on the fringe — you can putt or chip from here.”
Why it matters
Knowing whether your ball is on the fringe vs. the green matters for rules (free relief from sprinkler heads only applies on the green, for example).
Common beginner mistake
Using a putter from the fringe without checking if the grain or slope will throw the ball offline.
Related
beginner
Course Areas
Related
- Green (Putting Green)The closely mowed area of grass surrounding the hole where you putt. The hole (cup) is always on the green.
- ApronAnother term for the fringe — the transitional grass area between the fairway and the putting green.
- Bump and RunA low chip that carries a short distance onto the green, then rolls the rest of the way to the hole like a putt — the simplest, most reliable shot from just off the green.