Counting Putts

Question
How are the amount of putts counted? Must you be on the green or is it whenever you use your putter? What about 1 inch off the green? Seems to me that you have to be on the green no matter what. Am I right?   Thank you

Answer
Dear Steve, thanks for the question. Indeed you must be on the green for purposes of official statistics on the various tours etc.  On the other hand, as you mentioned, one inch off the green (or so), I like to count that as a putt for my personal records.  Good luck, thanks again and remember...

Love the game,
skipper