Match play question?

Grizz

Hi
Can anyone tell me the rules in matchplay if,

after 18 holes the match is drawn and goes to the 19th, both players then go into the clubhouse to go to the bathroom. The first player with the honour comes out and drives while the second player is still in the bathroom. If the second player does not see the shot, is there an infringment on the first player i.e. loss of hole (and match) ??
Thank you
Grizz

Trampas

Not sure of the rule but if you had your back turn would it be the same.

If he said that he has smashed it 300+ yards down the middle I presume I would believe him unless it was usain bolt you were playing as to run down and back again would take a couple of mins.

bad etiquette I would say

PhilipMarlowe

I'd agree that it's bad etiquette but unlikely to be a breach of the rules...
The opponent would be obliged to give you correct information as to the amount of strokes taken and you could ask to identify the ball to be sure it was the original but I can't think of any breach so long as they held the 'honour'. Bad form indeed.

L.O.F.T

What was the result in the match? Did the player who was in the bathroom loose or win?

Mister Sifter

Sorry to hijack your thread OP, but had a similar experience myself recently.

The guy i was playing dropped his jumper in the opening few holes. We reached the 6th tee and we both teed off. I was walking off the tee he announced that he was off to see if he could see his lost jumper on the nearby 2nd hole. Before i had the chance to react, he was gone. I stood waiting on him for a good 5 minutes and there was no sign so i slowly started to make my way to my ball which was a good bit further on than his.

As i got close to it, there was still no sign of him. I wanted to hit my shot into the green before i 'got cold' but thought it better to wait as i would have been playing out of turn.

He eventually returned about ten minutes later with the jumper.

I just stayed quiet, but is there any rule against/relating to such a situation?

For the record, the course was quiet so we weren't holding anyone up.

PhilipMarlowe

Loss of hole for unduly delaying play is a possibility IMO in the situation above (mister sifter)... hard one to call on somebody but it is a rule. (Rule 6-7)

Grizz

The result was that player 2 lost. Player 2 said on the 19th tee box that she thought it was out of order and then the bad atmosphere put her off. Suppose thats match play and no use crying over spilt milk.

PhilipMarlowe

I'd inform the committee anyway who could consider a disqualification for a serious breach of etiquette?
From the rules:

Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

In my opinion, consideration, courtesy and sportsmanship were certainly missing from that situation.

L.O.F.T

You could follow as below,

Rule 2-5. Doubt as to Procedure; Disputes and Claims
In match play, if a doubt or dispute arises between the players, a player may make a claim. If no duly authorized representative of the Committee is available within a reasonable time, the players must continue the match without delay. The Committee may consider a claim only if the player making the claim notifies his opponent (i) that he is making a claim, (ii) of the facts of the situation and (iii) that he wants a ruling. The claim must be made before any player in the match plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the match, before all players in the match leave the putting green.

Daithio9

El oh El, wimmim.
This would never happen in a mens match.

Grizz

Hahaha,
ya got that right - personally I cant see anything wrong with the bushes!

Anyway, thanks everyone for the responses, I'll pass them on

soundsham

you don't mind the odd poke in the ass so!!!