A Markers Responsibilities.

[Dave3498]

Some recent posts on another thread has prompted me to ask other members of the forum, what they consider to be their duties and responsibilities when they are marking a competition card?

My own feelings are that from the first tee I consider that I am marking the potential winning card, and I therefore want that card to be submitted in accordance with the known rules of golf. I also feel that I am marking on behalf of all the other competitors, who expect me to ensure that my player adheres to the rules. I don't, for instance, allow a free drop from animal scrapes etc, until I agree that it is justified. The same with staked trees which may or may not be interfering with his swing or stance, or immovable obstructions and pitch marks on the green. I like to agree with these things myself. There are many opportunities for golfers to inadvertently break the rules and some discussion on these situations can be helpful, as well as advising him to penalise himself before signing for the wrong score.

Having said that, I know that I cannot follow my player around like a dog, and I trust him to play the game fairly when he is out of my sight, but I do confirm his score after each hole.

I'm interested in other peoples views here.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Your responsibility is to ensure your FC is playing according to the rules of golf and to make sure his card is marked correctly. There isn't really anything else to be said.

 

[pbrown7582]

Summed up nicely so far, no room for discussion your signature is there to confirm the round was completed and score recorded in ocordance with the rules.

 

[Robobum]

Summed up nicely so far, no room for discussion your signature is there to confirm the round was completed and score recorded in ocordance with the rules.

................as far as is reasonable and practicable.

 

[Colin L]

Your responsibility is to ensure your FC is playing according to the rules of golf and to make sure his card is marked correctly. There isn't really anything else to be said.

I would suggest this is placing more responsibility on the marker than is asked for in the Rules. Your responsibility as a marker by Definition is simply to record a competitor's score. You are specifically not a referee. Clearly the score you record includes any penalty strokes incurred but if the player insists on a course of action that you believe to be contrary to the rules and does not count a penalty you cannot impose that penalty. Your responsibility goes no further than to report the circumstances to the Committee whose responsibility it is to determine any penalties.

 

[Ethan]

I would suggest this is placing more responsibility on the marker than is asked for in the Rules. Your responsibility as a marker by Definition is simply to record a competitor's score. You are specifically not a referee. Clearly the score you record includes any penalty strokes incurred but if the player insists on a course of action that you believe to be contrary to the rules and does not count a penalty you cannot impose that penalty. Your responsibility goes no further than to report the circumstances to the Committee whose responsibility it is to determine any penalties.

I agree with this view. The markers job is to write down 18 scores and then, if he or she agrees that those are correct, to sign it. The marker is not the players personal rules official.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

The markers job is exactly what it says on the tin - to mark and ensure you put the correct score down.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

And if you see your FC break a rule?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

And if you see your FC break a rule?

Then report your version to the organisers and leave it to them to apply any sanctions. The marker's responsibility is, as has been said, to mark the score and report any concerns.
It does not extend to applying penalty strokes or, ultimately, disqualification.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Then report your version to the organisers and leave it to them to apply any sanctions. The marker's responsibility is, as has been said, to mark the score and report any concerns.
It does not extend to applying penalty strokes or, ultimately, disqualification.

So you don't point out the issue to your FC?

 

[Dave3498]

As a marker, I obviously do not apply penalty strokes. I leave that to the player, but if I don't agree with his free drop for instance, I advise him so and it's then up to him how he proceeds. He can, for example, play an alternative ball under the rules and we can sort it out when we get in.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

As a marker, I obviously do not apply penalty strokes. I leave that to the player, but if I don't agree with his free drop for instance, I advise him so and it's then up to him how he proceeds. He can, for example, play an alternative ball under the rules and we can sort it out when we get in.

Well yes, but you point out something he may have done wrong, rather than ignore it

 

[Dave3498]

Well yes, but you point out something he may have done wrong, rather than ignore it

Yes indeed.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

And if you see your FC break a rule?

Then you pull him up on it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you see a competitor break a rule do you not make him aware and do they apply the penalty? What happens if they disagree. It isn't your responsibility to act as judge and jury and decide if the rules are broken.

 

[Old Skier]

If you see a competitor break a rule do you not make him aware and do they apply the penalty? What happens if they disagree. It isn't your responsibility to act as judge and jury and decide if the rules are broken.

If you disagree - my action would be to write down the score that the FC says, and not sign the card and talk to the comp organiser before a decision is made by me and the FC to sign the card and submit it.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

If you see a competitor break a rule do you not make him aware and do they apply the penalty? What happens if they disagree. It isn't your responsibility to act as judge and jury and decide if the rules are broken.

I am 100% with you Homer. Yes you should advise the competitor of your view of an incident/score but it is nt your responsibility to apply the penalty.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

If you see a competitor break a rule do you not make him aware and do they apply the penalty? What happens if they disagree. It isn't your responsibility to act as judge and jury and decide if the rules are broken.

If you have a disagreement of the rules then would suggest continuing playing and seeking advice after the comp. You can refuse to see the card until a definitive answer is found

 

[bladeplayer]

I am 100% with you Homer. Yes you should advise the competitor of your view of an incident/score but it is nt your responsibility to apply the penalty.

But surely it is your responsibility to make sure the correct penalty if any is applied to the score before you sign the card ..

IMO if there was a query id contact the comp sec , tell him there is a dispute over the score and ask him to make a decision before he closes the comp ..

Not sure what happens in the situation when,

Marker .. you improved your stance in the trees by breaking branches ,
Player .. no i didnt
Marker .. yes you did i saw it ..
Player , im telling you i didnt ..
Not sure how the comp sec would sort that one if the marker refused to sign ..

 

[Deleted member 18588]

But surely it is your responsibility to make sure the correct penalty if any is applied to the score before you sign the card ..

IMO if there was a query id contact the comp sec , tell him there is a dispute over the score and ask him to make a decision before he closes the comp ..

Not sure what happens in the situation when,

Marker .. you improved your stance in the trees by breaking branches ,
Player .. no i didnt
Marker .. yes you did i saw it ..
Player , im telling you i didnt ..
Not sure how the comp sec would sort that one if the marker refused to sign ..

Exactly, in such circumstances you refuse to sign the card and explain why to the organiser. It is then his responsibility to apply penalty or otherwise.