A Question of Etiquette

[GB72]

I was playing in a four ball yesterday on a particularly busy day on the course. One of the 2 courses was booked out to a society so all members were having to use the one course. Anyway, all of the groups behind us were 2 balls and there was maybe 5 or 6 groups behind us at last count. All of these were clearly going to be playing quicker than our fourball and our round was delayed considerably as we were waiting to let 2 balls through on most holes. Being fairly new to the game I assume that this is the correct, if frustrating, way to act. Is it ever acceptable, however, not to offer smaller groups through when you are up with the game in front and there are inumerate numbers of 2 ball matches behind you? (I do appreciate that the sensible thing to do would have been for the pro shop to double up a few of these 2 balls but that was out of my control).

 

[madandra]

As long as YOU are not slowing play I see no reason why anyone should want to be played through. By the very nature of the game a round is not going to be completed in an hour and anyone wanting to play 18 should be well aware that it can take a little over 4 hours on a slow day.

 

[GB72]

Was the usual situation for a beginner, bit self-concious, did not want to be seen as inconsiderate etc. Certainly the game ahead were only just finishing teeing off on the next hole as we were on the green so felt that we were keeping up. At least if I know that it is not out of order not to call a smaller group through then I can stand up for my rights a little more in future.

 

[Lloydy84]

i think that if a two ball is right behind you, and waiting for you on every shot, you should let them through. that way they have the chance to be let through by the group in front as well which would speed up their round as well as making yours more enjoyable instead of rushing.

 

[John_Findlay]

I'd always let the group behind through. I hate being pressed. I end up speeding up, losing my concentration on putts and making bad decisions around the greens. Bit difficult when there are so many 2 balls behind you though. You'd never finish if you let them all through.

 

[BunkerMentality123]

I was playing on Sunday in a 4 ball (we were in buggies). The group in front was a 3 ball (who were walking). Behind us we had 3 2 balls (all walkers).

After only 2 holes we were waiting to play every shot, both tee shots and approach shots into the green, and not once did the group in front offer to let us through.

I appreciate that we were a larger group, but when they got to a whole 2 holes behind the rest of the course when does it become acceptable to ask a smaller group to play through.

I think they may have been playing in a comp (not sure as we were just visiting) but there's taking time on the green and then being just downright slow. Any opinion???????
-------------

Grip it -- you know the rest

 

[viscount17]

madandra,
There's loads of wildlife to watch on my local (swans, geese, ducks, herons, cormorants, deer etc) so a Little over 4 hours is fine (when the weather's good) but some just take the ****.

I can't see any excuse for taking more than 20 minutes to play a 150 yard Par-3 - you know if you've lost the ball, usually because it will be drowned.

 

[GB72]

John_Findlay, that was pretty much my concern. Etiquette was telling me that I should let the 2 balls through so as they have a shot at getting ahead of the groups in front but the reports were that there were 2 balls on all of the holes behind and if I let them all through then I would have been there until dark. Again, my feeling is that with one course closed and the other being fairly packed, the pro-shop should have been forming the 2 balls into 4 balls. My other problem was, and this is a major annoyance, was that the first group that we let through did all they could to catch up and be right on our heels then slowed down to a pace similar, if not slower, than ours once they were through.

 

[Teetotal]

If you're keeping up with the group in front don't let anyone through. If people in front of me are really messing around I'll ask them if I can play through but only if there's room in front. If things are really starting to stack up I'll throw a tantrum and stalk off the course.

 

[HTL]

The joys of working full time and trying to fit in golf! Im luckey to have Fridays off so go out around lunch time and have course to myself for a few hours.
Slow play is a right pain the backside, it almost started a brawl on the fairway of my club recently, between two old ladies and a husband and wife (very strange)
Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and ask people to speed up play or just say to them that you are going to play through.

 

[clubchamp07]

The real truth on letting 2 balls through is only if you lose your place to the guys infront of you. If your waiting on every shot, why on earth would you let someone else through. Keep your place and nobody can say anything. I think the art of calling people through has died. Some very ignorant people out there. Keep you place and never mind who's behind you!!!!!!

 

[John_Findlay]

GB72, you make a good point. I think the starter has an obligation to his golfers to start pairing people up when the course is so busy in order to keep the pace of play steady. Most won't object unless they're socially inept.

 

[Lloydy84]

The real truth on letting 2 balls through is only if you lose your place to the guys infront of you. If your waiting on every shot, why on earth would you let someone else through.

The reason that you should let a quicker group through is that they can then go through the people in front of you, who may or may not be holding you up.
The first page of The rules of golf states that 2 balls have priority.

 

[John_Findlay]

On a related matter...hats!

Personally, I always take off my cap when I enter the clubhouse/shake hands at the 1st/18th etc. I find it very sad that the pros (probably through contractual obligation) don't when they're being interviewed on TV. They're disregarding a simple courtesy for money.

As their role models I hate to think how kids nowadays will act in 10 years time. All I know is that I'll probably be asking a lot of 18 year olds to take their caps off when they shake hands. Am I being old-fashioned?

 

[RGuk]

If there are games in front and you are keeping up, I'd only let a 2 ball through if we had a lost ball incident or similar. 2 balls have priority etc.etc. but if there are many groups behind aim to let one through every few holes, don't sacrifice your whole round....

On a similar note, my 2 ball the other day was "abused" by folks on the 18th tee behind us because it was getting dark and we were waiting for the green to clear....It made us ******* mad! Silly sods......
I've taken note of their appalling fashion sense and equally c*** playing....they won't be coming through ever....

Ever heard of karma, boys?

 

[Atticus_Finch]

John, No.
You're bang on the money.
Although I would never ask someone to take their hat off, I notice it, and I don't like it.
Even if they did take their hat off after asking them, the damage has been done.