programplaya: I looked for usga rules concerning chipping while on the green.
It's Rule 14-1.
As long as you strike the ball with the head of any club it is a legal shot on the green (and any other place on the golf course). In other words - you may not use the shaft of the club to finish a putt should it miss.
I bet your opp wouldn't say you were cheating if you teed off with your putter...would he? Again, perfectly legal.
The next time someone says you are cheating - tell them to look at that rule.
I have been know to putt using my driver here and IRL - just made a 6 footer today for Eagle in an AS game on Confessional...nobody claimed I cheated, because they all play real golf. I was called a few choice names in jest, however. Lol.