What would you have done?

MiniGolf

An "incident" occured while playing a round a couple of weeks ago in a society outing. I would be interested to hear what you all would do in the same situation!
The lead up is thus:

We were sent out in groups of 4. On the 2nd hole two of our fourball sent their drives off to the right and had to spend some time looking for them so that led to us holding up the group behind a little, not really enough to allow them through but enough to want me to hurry myself and the rest up to finish out the hole and move along. We headed for the next tee and in my rush to keep us moving I teed up outside the teeing ground but still on the tee box and hit my drive. It faded right and found some water. I made a comment about my bad shot and one of the group said "sure what do you expect when you teed up in the wrong place", obviously having noticed my error but didn't say anything until I had completed the shot.

Firstly let me say that:
1. I made the error and no one else so I am not trying to justify or excuse my mistake.
2. As we were in a rush and I was not sure of the ruling I did finish the hole by dropping out of the water and saved my par only to discover that I should have replayed the shot with a two shot penalty so I considered the hole scratched (stableford comp!)
3. His actions upset me because if it were me I would have said something to prevent the error and have done in the past.

My question to you all is: Would you have said anything or would you have let another player make an obvious error? (Please consider this as a "friendly" society outing playing Stableford)

death1234567

I'd have just pointed it out after you played but not enforced any penalty. Stealing a foot or two left/right/forward isn't really going to make a ballz of a difference to your drive. But I'm a nice guy y'know

Enter Username

MiniGolf wrote: »

An "incident" occured while playing a round a couple of weeks ago in a society outing. I would be interested to hear what you all would do in the same situation!
The lead up is thus:

We were sent out in groups of 4. On the 2nd hole two of our fourball sent their drives off to the right and had to spend some time looking for them so that led to us holding up the group behind a little, not really enough to allow them through but enough to want me to hurry myself and the rest up to finish out the hole and move along. We headed for the next tee and in my rush to keep us moving I teed up outside the teeing ground but still on the tee box and hit my drive. It faded right and found some water. I made a comment about my bad shot and one of the group said "sure what do you expect when you teed up in the wrong place", obviously having noticed my error but didn't say anything until I had completed the shot.

Firstly let me say that:
1. I made the error and no one else so I am not trying to justify or excuse my mistake.
2. As we were in a rush and I was not sure of the ruling I did finish the hole by dropping out of the water and saved my par only to discover that I should have replayed the shot with a two shot penalty so I considered the hole scratched (stableford comp!)
3. His actions upset me because if it were me I would have said something to prevent the error and have done in the past.

My question to you all is: Would you have said anything or would you have let another player make an obvious error? (Please consider this as a "friendly" society outing playing Stableford)

At the end of the day no matter how you dress it up its still called "Cheating"

BoardsMember

death1234567 wrote: »

I'd have just pointed it out after you played but not enforced any penalty. Stealing a foot or two left/right/forward isn't really going to make a ballz of a difference to your drive. But I'm a nice guy y'know

Without wishing to get all "rulesy", it's not up to you to choose to enforce the rules. If you observe someone breaking the rules, knowingly or not, you must let them know, you dont have a choice in the matter. Otherwise you are breaking the rules youself.

To answer the OP, if I see someone tee it up from the wrong spot, whether in a friendly or serious game, I would tell them before they hit it. Life is too short, I just consider it bad karma, it would not rest well with me if I only told them after so that they'd be penalised.

thegen

Did it myself on Saturday on a Par 3, sent a 5 iron to 8ft only ti have the lads playing with me piss themselves laughing that I had played from outside tee box. Rules are rules, they did not realise I was outside it until after the shot, hence the laughter. Yes two shot penalty and tee it up. I wont do it again in a hurry;)

DonkeyPokerTour

At the end of the day, you are responsible for teeing it up in the right area. He may have only realised when u were in the middle of your swing, what was he going to do try tell you in the middle of your swing?

In a similar situation I ended up doing the same thing. We were playing off the whites, coming off one of the greens the next tee box was right beside it, I was up so got up their took my practice swing did my routine as usual and hit a cracker down the middle, Next guy gets up and then realises this is actually the blue tee box and the whites are 20yards further forward. Much cursing later I nail one down the middle stick an 8iron to 18inches and make the put. Lost the competition by 1 point after having a "bogey" instead of a birdie on that hole. Thems the breaks, deal with it!

Whyner

MiniGolf wrote: »

An "incident" occured while playing a round a couple of weeks ago in a society outing. I would be interested to hear what you all would do in the same situation!
The lead up is thus:

We were sent out in groups of 4. On the 2nd hole two of our fourball sent their drives off to the right and had to spend some time looking for them so that led to us holding up the group behind a little, not really enough to allow them through but enough to want me to hurry myself and the rest up to finish out the hole and move along. We headed for the next tee and in my rush to keep us moving I teed up outside the teeing ground but still on the tee box and hit my drive. It faded right and found some water. I made a comment about my bad shot and one of the group said "sure what do you expect when you teed up in the wrong place", obviously having noticed my error but didn't say anything until I had completed the shot.

Firstly let me say that:
1. I made the error and no one else so I am not trying to justify or excuse my mistake.
2. As we were in a rush and I was not sure of the ruling I did finish the hole by dropping out of the water and saved my par only to discover that I should have replayed the shot with a two shot penalty so I considered the hole scratched (stableford comp!)
3. His actions upset me because if it were me I would have said something to prevent the error and have done in the past.

My question to you all is: Would you have said anything or would you have let another player make an obvious error? (Please consider this as a "friendly" society outing playing Stableford)

I'd say it to you before you take your shot and if I didn't, I'd just let it slide if it's a once off. No biggy and your partner is a tosser, golf is meant to be fun, it's a sport after all and and not a chance to catch your mate out on a misdemeanor.

GUI comps are a different kettle of fish.

BUACHAILL

Enter Username wrote: »

At the end of the day no matter how you dress it up its still called "Cheating"

Its not called cheating and what a ridiculous comment, its called a genuine mistake one of which he paid for by taking a scratch on the hole, hardly cheating to an advantage !!

In this situation being a society and pure nature of society is a friendly atmosphere for people who just want to enjoy the sport I wouldnt have even brought it up had I noticed it. Your partner wasnt very fair but that said by the rules of the game its your fault and a 2 stroke penalty, wouldnt let it get to you just be on your guard for him next time and gove him no excuse.

If as mentioned already it was a gui event I would have brought it tot he guys attention before hand had I noticed with a very consistant cough ha ha

conno16

again, more evidence as regards why such a large proportion of people just consider golf to be a game for knobends..

why would you not call the guy up and tell him to re-tee before he hits one down the fairway..
just baffling

MiniGolf

death1234567 wrote: »

I'd have just pointed it out after you played but not enforced any penalty. Stealing a foot or two left/right/forward isn't really going to make a ballz of a difference to your drive. But I'm a nice guy y'know

I have no problem accepting a penalty in a comp but I would be with you if it was just in a casual/friendly game.... then I'm a nice guy too;)

@ Enter Username:
Either you did not bother to read the post correctly or just want to get a rise, but I did NOT cheat, I made an error... There is a distinct difference!! (and I paid for my error)

@ Boards Member:
Agree completely!! It will come back to bite you!

MiniGolf

DonkeyPokerTour wrote: »

hole. Thems the breaks, deal with it!

As I said in my post, I had no problem "dealing" with it.

Enter Username

@ Enter Username:
Either you did not bother to read the post correctly or just want to get a rise, but I did NOT cheat, I made an error... There is a distinct difference!! (and I paid for my error)

Forever more you will the Thierry Henry of the Golfing World;)

Whyner

Enter Username wrote: »

@ Enter Username:
Either you did not bother to read the post correctly or just want to get a rise, but I did NOT cheat, I made an error... There is a distinct difference!! (and I paid for my error)

Forever more you will the Thierry Henry of the Golfing World;)

And as for you...:rolleyes:

Enter Username

I meant for my reply to be slightly tongue-in-cheek, I regularly play in golf in a number of courses and I do be amazed at how serious some of the members take enforcing every single rule no matter how insignificant they are, to the OP I would have just carried on with the round - as another poster said you would have enjoyed very little advantage by moving the ball a few feet.

Another pet hate of mine regarding golf clubs is how little tolerance is shown to players who are not very good and may take longer to play around. When playing golf, especially in a busy club, you should expect to be held up on a few holes.

To the OP, apologies if I offended you:o

fullstop

MiniGolf wrote: »

My question to you all is: Would you have said anything or would you have let another player make an obvious error? (Please consider this as a "friendly" society outing playing Stableford)

If your playing partner realised your mistake before he hit, he is a dick for not telling you.

death1234567 wrote: »

I'd have just pointed it out after you played but not enforced any penalty. Stealing a foot or two left/right/forward isn't really going to make a ballz of a difference to your drive. But I'm a nice guy y'know

Can't not enforce a penalty if you point it out afterwards or you're both breaking the rules.

Enter Username wrote: »

At the end of the day no matter how you dress it up its still called "Cheating"

Stupid comment, he corrected the error on the card by scratching the hole. It was an innocent mistake on his part.

Whyner

fullstop wrote: »

Can't not enforce a penalty if you point it out afterwards or you're both breaking the rules.

Course you could, it was a society outing after all

fullstop

Whyner wrote: »

Course you could, it was a society outing after all

Well if you start that, where do you draw the line? Just ignore the rules you don't like?

Whyner

I'm only talking about this instance, he could have been told after his shot and not been penalised. That would go with playing in a society.

keeffo2008

MiniGolf wrote: »

An "incident" occured while playing a round a couple of weeks ago in a society outing. I would be interested to hear what you all would do in the same situation!
The lead up is thus:

We were sent out in groups of 4. On the 2nd hole two of our fourball sent their drives off to the right and had to spend some time looking for them so that led to us holding up the group behind a little, not really enough to allow them through but enough to want me to hurry myself and the rest up to finish out the hole and move along. We headed for the next tee and in my rush to keep us moving I teed up outside the teeing ground but still on the tee box and hit my drive. It faded right and found some water. I made a comment about my bad shot and one of the group said "sure what do you expect when you teed up in the wrong place", obviously having noticed my error but didn't say anything until I had completed the shot.

i would have tee-d up inside the markers :D:D
seriously though, if it was a "friendly" society game, i wouldnt have said anything

DH2K9

One word: etiquette.

MiniGolf

DH2K9 wrote: »

One word: etiquette.

Amen to that!!

shawpower

On the flip side, if that was a serious compeition, and you saw someone "breach" a rule, would you enforce the penalty of loss of hole/2 shots? I'd strongly encourage you to do it, from personal experience.

I was in a singles matchplay comp 2 years ago (club not gui), where the guy I was playing against spotted me doing something which breached the rules (on about the 5th hole iirc). He never said anything to me, and obviously stewed away on it. Anyway, I ended up 4 up after 9 and he walked off accusing me of cheating. I was completely oblivious to what had happened until afterwards.

Why he didn't just say something at the time I'll never know. It would have prevented soooooo much hassle in the long run for both of us.

For what it's worth the infringement was in relation to Rule 12-2. It was my first year playing golf regularly, and I was in with a great chance of winning the competition. I didn't want to lose through making any stupid mistakes (how ironic it turns out). Anyway on the 5th (I think) I couldn't identify my ball in the rough. So instead of playing someone elses ball by mistake, I marked it, lifted the ball a couple of inches, turned it to see my markings and replace it again without cleaning it etc. But I never realised that I needed to notify him I was going to do it. Stupid I know! Since I didn't think I was doing anything wrong, I naturally wasn't trying to hide it from him, and he saw me do it. Instead of saying anything, he jumped to the assumption that I was placing my ball in the rough and cheating.

The penalty should have been loss of hole instantly, but he never said anything and so the result of the hole stood. I was playing really well at the time and really wanted to win the comp, but I'll never know how much it affected his game, or how much of him walking off was due to me leading by so much at the half way point. But it was a horrible experience either way - for both of us I'm sure. So like I say. If you see something in an actual competition, say it straight away. Otherwise, it's likely to cause bigger problems down the line.

AGC

shawpower wrote: »

On the flip side, if that was a serious compeition, and you saw someone "breach" a rule, would you enforce the penalty of loss of hole/2 shots? I'd strongly encourage you to do it, from personal experience.

I was in a singles matchplay comp 2 years ago (club not gui), where the guy I was playing against spotted me doing something which breached the rules (on about the 5th hole iirc). He never said anything to me, and obviously stewed away on it. Anyway, I ended up 4 up after 9 and he walked off accusing me of cheating. I was completely oblivious to what had happened until afterwards.

Why he didn't just say something at the time I'll never know. It would have prevented soooooo much hassle in the long run for both of us.

For what it's worth the infringement was in relation to Rule 12-2. It was my first year playing golf regularly, and I was in with a great chance of winning the competition. I didn't want to lose through making any stupid mistakes (how ironic it turns out). Anyway on the 5th (I think) I couldn't identify my ball in the rough. So instead of playing someone elses ball by mistake, I marked it, lifted the ball a couple of inches, turned it to see my markings and replace it again without cleaning it etc. But I never realised that I needed to notify him I was going to do it. Stupid I know! Since I didn't think I was doing anything wrong, I naturally wasn't trying to hide it from him, and he saw me do it. Instead of saying anything, he jumped to the assumption that I was placing my ball in the rough and cheating.

The penalty should have been loss of hole instantly, but he never said anything and so the result of the hole stood. I was playing really well at the time and really wanted to win the comp, but I'll never know how much it affected his game, or how much of him walking off was due to me leading by so much at the half way point. But it was a horrible experience either way - for both of us I'm sure. So like I say. If you see something in a actual competition, say it straight away. Otherwise, it's likely to cause bigger problems down the line.

He was in the wrong by not pulling you up on it. You could have claimed the hole by him not pulling you up on it funnily enough!

BoardsMember

AGC wrote: »

He was in the wrong by not pulling you up on it. You could have claimed the hole by him not pulling you up on it funnily enough!

I dont think that is the case. You hadn't broken the rule until you had hit the ball. He's only responsible for telling you if you break a rule, or else he's breaking the rules. He's not obliged to tell you that you are about to break a rule. If he was in any way decent he'd have done so, I just dont think there is an obligation to bring it to your intention unless asked.

shawpower

BoardsMember wrote: »

I dont think that is the case. You hadn't broken the rule until you had hit the ball. He's only responsible for telling you if you break a rule, or else he's breaking the rules. He's not obliged to tell you that you are about to break a rule. If he was in any way decent he'd have done so, I just dont think there is an obligation to bring it to your intention unless asked.

I'm pretty sure, since he quoted my post, that AGC was referring to my story rather than the OP's question.

BoardsMember

shawpower wrote: »

I'm pretty sure, since he quoted my post, that AGC was referring to my story rather than the OP's question.

D'Uh, sorry about that. As you say, he could have pulled his opposition up on it for not claiming the hole in the knowledge that he breached a rule. Bit of a cry baby reaction to it, walking off the course in a huff. Most of the posts on here regarding the rules or etiquette outline situations that could have been handled so much better if the portagonist(s) or injured parties had acted with a bit of decency.

Talking of pulling people up on rules, I played a snooker match in the golf club a few years back against an older "gentleman". I only put my name in the draw to support the snooker setup. Anyhow, yer man is making a break, and I'm kind of distracted. He pots a pink, then rolls in a black. I wasnt paying attention, and only when I went to re-spot the black did I realise his mistake. If I had engaged my brain before I said "didn't you just pot the pink, not a red" I would have stopped myself and just let him get on with it. But I said it, and he accused me of waiting for him to commit the foul, and threw down his cue in anger. I said forget about the foul, I'll concede the frame, whatever - I have no interest in winning this. He stormed off. What a wally!!

shawpower

BoardsMember wrote: »

D'Uh, sorry about that. As you say, he could have pulled his opposition up on it for not claiming the hole in the knowledge that he breached a rule. Bit of a cry baby reaction to it, walking off the course in a huff. Most of the posts on here regarding the rules or etiquette outline situations that could have been handled so much better if the portagonist(s) or injured parties had acted with a bit of decency.

I didn't know that. But in fairness, I didn't know I'd breached a rule until afterwards, so it wasn't an issue.

Russman

I thought in matchplay once the hole is completed, thats it, its too late to bring anything up once you start the next hole......

And, yes, its is bad form IMO to knowingly let someone play from the wrong place on the tee. +1 to the bad karma comment.

AGC

Russman wrote: »

I thought in matchplay once the hole is completed, thats it, its too late to bring anything up once you start the next hole......

And, yes, its is bad form IMO to knowingly let someone play from the wrong place on the tee. +1 to the bad karma comment.

If you pull them up on it straight away which you should it is sorted. If you don't pull them up on it the person that committed the rule breach can claim the hole.Crazy rule.

And agree with your second point

joanmul

AGC wrote: »

If you pull them up on it straight away which you should it is sorted. If you don't pull them up on it the person that committed the rule breach can claim the hole.Crazy rule. Quote.



I thought, in matchplay, that both players would incur penalties. If you see your opponent breaking a rule and don't point it out, then you are 'collaborating' in breaking the rule and both (? not sure) would be disqualified. I don't play matchplay very often but that is one thing I vaguely remember.

Sir Shankalot

joanmul wrote: »

AGC wrote: »

If you pull them up on it straight away which you should it is sorted. If you don't pull them up on it the person that committed the rule breach can claim the hole.Crazy rule. Quote.



I thought, in matchplay, that both players would incur penalties. If you see your opponent breaking a rule and don't point it out, then you are 'collaborating' in breaking the rule and both (? not sure) would be disqualified. I don't play matchplay very often but that is one thing I vaguely remember.

You are right - players can never agree to break the rules of golf

a good test of a golfer's moral fibre is in matchplay. If you are playing someone you don't particularly like, tee your ball a couple of feet in front of markers and take a couple of practice swings before addressing ball. If he is paying attention and stays silent just play your normal drive. When he then tries to claim the hole refer him to the bookmarked page of rulebook that states in matchplay there is NO penalty for such an offence. He has two options, leave your drive where it is or request you to take it again, in both scenarios it is without penalty. Quick way of finding out what someone is like and very amusing when the rule is explained to them! I reckon only about 20% of golfers know this is the ruling

SARZY

MiniGolf wrote: »

An "incident" occured while playing a round a couple of weeks ago in a society outing. I would be interested to hear what you all would do in the same situation!
The lead up is thus:

We were sent out in groups of 4. On the 2nd hole two of our fourball sent their drives off to the right and had to spend some time looking for them so that led to us holding up the group behind a little, not really enough to allow them through but enough to want me to hurry myself and the rest up to finish out the hole and move along. We headed for the next tee and in my rush to keep us moving I teed up outside the teeing ground but still on the tee box and hit my drive. It faded right and found some water. I made a comment about my bad shot and one of the group said "sure what do you expect when you teed up in the wrong place", obviously having noticed my error but didn't say anything until I had completed the sh

Firstly let me say that:
1. I made the error and no one else so I am not trying to justify or excuse my mistake.
2. As we were in a rush and I was not sure of the ruling I did finish the hole by dropping out of the water and saved my par only to discover that I should have replayed the shot with a two shot penalty so I considered the hole scratched (stableford comp!)
3. His actions upset me because if it were me I would have said something to prevent the error and have done in the past.

My question to you all is: Would you have said anything or would you have let another player make an obvious error? (Please consider this as a "friendly" society outing playing Stableford)

Wait for a chance to return the compliment to this gent and really enjoy it when it comes or else make sure never to play with that 'sportsman' ever again.

Gophur

It seems the OP is blaming himself, then blaming his playing partner for not pulling him up on his mistake?

We have one member who persistently tees up two or three inches in front of the markers. It's getting to be a right pain in the t1ts now as he does it every round, and then makes out like others are penalising him unfairly.

It's his responsibility, and his only. It's not the job of the playing partners to police such a player.

I was playing a new course recently. I strode up to teh tee, played a cracker down the fairway, only to realise I was on the wrong tee box (the tee marker colours were very unclear, the Yellow and Red were faded, both approaching an orange)

I was told to forget about it and tee up from the correct place. I did, but added the two penalty shots to my score.

MiniGolf

Gophur wrote: »

It seems the OP is blaming himself, then blaming his playing partner for not pulling him up on his mistake?

Did you read my original post??

MiniGolf wrote: »

Firstly let me say that:
1. I made the error and no one else so I am not trying to justify or excuse my mistake.

Jasonw

Sir Shankalot wrote: »

You are right - players can never agree to break the rules of golf

a good test of a golfer's moral fibre is in matchplay. If you are playing someone you don't particularly like, tee your ball a couple of feet in front of markers and take a couple of practice swings before addressing ball. If he is paying attention and stays silent just play your normal drive. When he then tries to claim the hole refer him to the bookmarked page of rulebook that states in matchplay there is NO penalty for such an offence. He has two options, leave your drive where it is or request you to take it again, in both scenarios it is without penalty. Quick way of finding out what someone is like and very amusing when the rule is explained to them! I reckon only about 20% of golfers know this is the ruling

And if he says nothing? Would it then be a test of YOUR moral fibre to admit that you were only testing him and that you purposely teed up outside the teeing ground thereby gaining an advantage?

Gophur

MiniGolf wrote: »

Did you read my original post??

I did, especially the piece

His actions upset me because if it were me I would have said something to prevent the error and have done in the past.

How is that anything other than blaming him for not pulling you up?


It was not his job to prevent you breaking the Rules. As to when he was to pull you up afterwards? His call.

Sir Shankalot

Jasonw wrote: »

And if he says nothing? Would it then be a test of YOUR moral fibre to admit that you were only testing him and that you purposely teed up outside the teeing ground thereby gaining an advantage?

the fact you gained an advantage is catered for by the rules - if he says nothing you can turn around and highlight what you have done I suppose and give him his two options!