Comments in Matchplay - penalty?

[KenL]

Played a friendly game (4 ball) tonight with a bit of banter but I wondered what should be the outcome in a real match. Could the following be taken as a serious breach of etiquette and if yes what would be the penalty.

On 17 when 1 down I was about 15 feet from hole. Oppo says out loud "can't see Ken 3 putting from there!"
I asked "is that a concession?" I had to putt and of course I 3 putted. I know it is my fault as my head is a mess when comments like this are made, even if totally innocent!

So, what should you do in a real match if someone were to make comments that could be designed to pressure you or put you off?

 

[duncan mackie]

What you should do is ignore it - there's not a lot else you can do.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I was playing a match and was 1up on the 18th green. Opponent had a three footer to win the hole. I was almost dead. I was asked by my team skip who was watching how things stood. Without thinking I said out loud 'if he misses the match is mine' - my opponent heard. He missed and I got a pretty cold glare off of him. I understand why. My bad!

 

[Smiffy]

Nothing wrong with a bit of gentle "gamesmanship".....

"Is this for the half?" usually goes down well when your opponent is standing over a four foot putt.

 

[bladeplayer]

Wouldnt really bother me unless it was said mid stroke.. but then ive played alota matches over the years ..

Comp golf is NOT the place for comments like that anyhow ,

 

[Fyldewhite]

I have all the things that could possibly be said by an opponent going around in my head anyway. If I can deal with those then I can deal with anything!!!

 

[chrisd]

Nothing wrong with a bit of gentle "gamesmanship".....

You called me something quite unsavoury when I said something the other day !! :smirk:

 

[Smiffy]

You called me something quite unsavoury when I said something the other day !! :smirk:

We were three down at the time.
It didn't add anything to the ambiance

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I was playing a match and was 1up on the 18th green. Opponent had a three footer to win the hole. I was almost dead. I was asked by my team skip who was watching how things stood. Without thinking I said out loud 'if he misses the match is mine' - my opponent heard. He missed and I got a pretty cold glare off of him. I understand why. My bad!

I was wrong to say out loud what I did. It was thoughtless and I certainly wouldn't condone doing it deliberately as 'fair-gamesmanship' - IMO it's not.