Apron
The apron is the closely mown strip directly around the green, between the fairway and the actual putting surface.
The apron, in English apron or Fringe, does not count as the green under the rules. It is mown shorter than the fairway but longer than the green and serves as a transition zone. This distinction is more important than it sounds. If your ball lies on the apron, you may not lift it, mark it or clean it. These reliefs apply only on the green itself, that is inside the shortest cut edge around the hole.
From a playing point of view the apron is a comfortable lie. An example: your approach comes to rest two metres short of the edge, with only short grass between you and the flag. You have three sensible options. The putter from the apron, known in English as the Texas wedge, is the safest choice because the ball does not first have to fly high. Alternatively you play a controlled chip that bounces once onto the green and rolls up to the hole. The bold take the wedge and play the ball straight up close to the flag.
Typical mistakes arise from not knowing the rules or from misjudging risk. Anyone who marks and cleans the ball on the apron takes a penalty stroke. And anyone who always takes the wedge out of habit produces unnecessary fat and thin shots from a good lie. The rule of thumb: the shorter the grass and the clearer the line, the more the putter. Reading the putting line begins on the apron already, not only on the green.
FAQ
Which shot is the safest choice from the apron?
If your ball lies on short, smooth grass with a clear line to the hole, the putter is the safest option — known in English as the Texas wedge. The ball rolls instead of having to fly high first, and the risk of fat and thin shots drops. Only with uneven grass or obstacles in the line are the chip or the wedge worth it.
May you lift and clean your ball on the apron?
No, because the apron does not count as the green under the rules. Marking, lifting and cleaning are only allowed inside the shortest cut edge around the hole. Anyone who still marks and cleans the ball on the apron takes a penalty stroke.
Why do some golfers play poor shots from the apron despite a good lie?
The typical mistake is automatically taking the wedge out of habit when the putter or the chip would be the better option. Playing high from a good lie creates unnecessary sources of error. The rule of thumb: the shorter the grass and the clearer the line, the lower the shot.