Caddies lining up putts

KeefG

KeefG

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www.maywoodgolfclub.com
I know this is something we've touched on in the past and watching the Irish Open yesterday, I meant to post then but completely forgot...

The antics between Rock & his caddy were absolutely shocking it has to be said!! Rock, as a pro golfer, should not need his caddy to lie flat on the floor and line him up for any, let alone each & every, putt he makes.

1) It smacks of having no confidence in ones ability to use a putter properly.
2) Every putt seemd to take an eternity
3) It just looks pathetic

The R&A need to revise the rule book about this as it's becoming a site seen all too often lately on the tours. We have J.B Holmes, the worlds slowest player, who also does it, i've seen another guy on the Euro tour doing it....it needs to stop, right now! :mad:
 
I agree totally although I'm sure I heard some reference in the commentary that it is being got rid of so I'm guessing the R&A and USPGA (hopefully the LPGA and European Ladies too - female pros are the biggest culprits) are passing new rules
 
Personally I feel that any pro, and I mean any pro who needs any help to putt other than a verbal exchange with the caddy is a complete prat. I wouldnt support any pro who did this, I think its pathetic.

Survey equipment on greens is just around the corner :mad:
 
I've just found this in the R&A rule book:

On the Putting Green
When the player’s ball is on the putting green, the player, his partner or either of their caddies may, before but not during the stroke, point out a line for putting, but in so doing the putting green must not be touched.
A mark must not be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

I've highlighted the important bit there, correct me if i'm wrong but Rock's caddie was lying down all over the greens yesterday? If so, and I was to be picky, could I not contact the R&A and get him disqualified for not taking a penalty and signing for the wrong score?

I'm not going to because i'm not a ***, i'm just asking...
 
I have let rip on this before and think it is an admission by the player himself that he cant putt.

Could you imagine Jenson Buttons dad standing next to him on the grid saying


'RIGHT SON, ON YER MARKS, GET SET .....'
 
KeefG I think you are spot on and unless there is an ammendment somewhere for the pro scene only or some interpritation floating around the R&A office in-tray that allows it, then the penalty should be enforced. ;)
 
Never have understood it myself. Putting is all about line and pace. If you're that unconfident about your line, what hope have you got of getting the pace right anyway.

I always put Faldo's decline down to being to mechanical with his putting.
 
I think by "not touch the puuting green", it means with a finger/hand to indicate a line etc, and not by laying down behind them.

As it stands, there obviously is no ruling against, otherwise they wouldnt do it, but it urgently needs amending.
It is ridiculous and pathetic, and regardless of whether they can putt or not, is, as far as I can see, 'outside assistance' of the highest order.
 
I think Chris has it right, I also read this bit


point out a line for putting, but in so doing the putting green must not be touched.
Click to expand...

as not touching the green on the line of the putt.

But I am with you, all this lining up putts by laying on the green should be stoped.
 
If I'm a pro golfer putting to win £150k I'm dam sure that once I've picked my line I will confirm that line with my caddy as well before I make the stroke. Two sets of eys are better than one. That could be the difference between keeping my card or feeding the wife and weans for another couple of months. A confirmation of the line is not an admission of "I cant putt!"

Its quite clearly not a breach of the rules unless the line of the putt is touched, aka Richie Ramsay in the smi-sinal of the US Amateur when he was penalised for the actions of his caddy.
 
If I'm a pro golfer putting to win £150k I'm dam sure that once I've picked my line I will confirm that line with my caddy as well before I make the stroke. Two sets of eys are better than one. That could be the difference between keeping my card or feeding the wife and weans for another couple of months. A confirmation of the line is not an admission of "I cant putt!"

Its quite clearly not a breach of the rules unless the line of the putt is touched, aka Richie Ramsay in the smi-sinal of the US Amateur when he was penalised for the actions of his caddy.
Click to expand...

I agree withe the above.

I was at the Irish Open and to be honest Rock didnt take any longer putting then any other player. I dont see the harm in it once it doesnt slow up play.
 
I think the rules need to be changed so that this is no longer allowed golf is a solo sport and if your caddy reads your putts then to me thats outside assistance, I would go one step further and ban caddies altogether give them a powerkaddy and a GPS and let them go.
 
I think the rules need to be changed so that this is no longer allowed golf is a solo sport and if your caddy reads your putts then to me thats outside assistance, I would go one step further and ban caddies altogether give them a powerkaddy and a GPS and let them go.
Click to expand...

If this did happen how funny would it be to see Monty's Powercaddy running out of juice on the 15th hole of a comp!! Priceless
 
I think it is taking things too far, I mean, before long we'll have players Sports Phsychologists on the course with them, just to keep reminding them how good they are, calm them down, relax them blah blah blah.

While we're at it, lets let them take their Dietician out there too ?

Its a solo sport, and allowing a caddy to line them up to the extent they are starting to do is unnacceptable imo.
It should be the players putt, and no-one else's.

*shakes head*
 
Would you also expect Westwood not to ask Garcia his opinion on a 6 footer to win a point on the final green during the fourballs in the Ryder Cup?

Rules are rules and if they are not being broken then I cant see the issue. The players have grown bigger than the tour and the organisations such as the R&A and USPGA can you imagine the reaction of of top players like Tiger, Phil, Stenson(who is very guilty of being lined up by Fanny)etc if they were told it was being banned. There would be a breakaway and the money men would follow Tiger and company as would the sheep.
 
Rules are rules and if they are not being broken then I cant see the issue.
Click to expand...

You sound like an MP sorry for the outragous insult

I know it will never happen and they will never be banned but what is there to stop someone employing a sport phsycologist as a caddy, and does having the best caddy increase Tigers dominance
 
I am happy with the caddy discussing the line of the putt, the pace, the breaks etc, with the player, but then he should have to step away and let the player line up his own putt. It is part of the game to me. Surely lining up should be part of practice, such that once on the course it is ingrained. Save it for the practice ground, not the course.
 
Most caddies pick up (and are taught) a bit of Pschology, and also a bit of swing coaching too. Goes with the territory. Can't see it as problem.
 
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