do you break any rules

[duncan mackie]

do we take golf too seriously when just having a knock? i think its ok to break any rule you like providing all playing parties are in agreement.

I have huge sympathy with this approach but the following concerns -

1. if you play in competitions with the same players it's really easy to 'slip up', and problems can arise from there - best examle at this time of year is people nudging the ball into a better lie on the fairway rather than following the required procedure for a preferred lie.
2. the game is a better place when everyone knows the rules you are playing to, so if you don't play to the Rules you are only going to have to substitute another set of rules eg when you don't mark it on the green just how much closer to the hole are you permitted to replace it 1", 1' or 1 yard? if this all works fine for you then great, the whole point is to enjoy the game so go for it :thup:

In the specific examples you give, there's no penalty for playing out of turn anyway (although there are some potential implications around and on the green but they can be ignored here), and trying clubs makes huge sense in such situations as can putting with the flag in as it is a lot quicker

 

[thecraw]

I have huge sympathy with this approach but the following concerns -

1. if you play in competitions with the same players it's really easy to 'slip up', and problems can arise from there - best examle at this time of year is people nudging the ball into a better lie on the fairway rather than following the required procedure for a preferred lie.
2. the game is a better place when everyone knows the rules you are playing to, so if you don't play to the Rules you are only going to have to substitute another set of rules eg when you don't mark it on the green just how much closer to the hole are you permitted to replace it 1", 1' or 1 yard? if this all works fine for you then great, the whole point is to enjoy the game so go for it :thup:

In the specific examples you give, there's no penalty for playing out of turn anyway (although there are some potential implications around and on the green but they can be ignored here), and trying clubs makes huge sense in such situations as can putting with the flag in as it is a lot quicker

Totally disagree as I've never once forgotten that I was taking part in a competition!

Rules are in place for golf no one is disputing that. They are there for a good valid reason and like you say for everyone to adhere to. I just don't do it to the letter of the law if I'm out for a few holes or a bit of fun with my mates. Enjoyment is a huge factor in golf.

 

[Birchy]

As usual a common sense and true answer not the usual BS being spouted by everyone else. I can guarantee that almost everyone will have broken a rule while playing a "bounce" game or a few holes at night.

If I'm out for a knock I play for fun and enjoyment not to test my rules knowledge and be a stickler for the game.

I am quite happy kicking it out of the cabbage.
I'm also just as happy taking a preferred lie if required.
I also don't mind the leather wedge out of a divot to improve my lie.
I don't mind teeing it up out with the permitted area.
I'm more than happy to move my ball a couple of inches on the green to get out of the way of spike marks etc.
I'll move my ball in a hazard if its unplayable, ie plugged in the face etc.

If I'm out with my mates we have no issue with just dropping a ball and playing on, dropping balls 100 yards out, dropping balls 70 yards out etc.(unless its a game we're playing and have a couple of bits riding on it!) Its about fun!!!!!!!

I have absolutely no issues at all about doing any of the above in a friendly knock about. Life's too short guys.

Finally! This thread seems way too serious! :rofl:

 

[Val]

Totally disagree as I've never once forgotten that I was taking part in a competition!

Rules are in place for golf no one is disputing that. They are there for a good valid reason and like you say for everyone to adhere to. I just don't do it to the letter of the law if I'm out for a few holes or a bit of fun with my mates. Enjoyment is a huge factor in golf.

Absolutely, Im glad you've clipped the wings from your clubs BTW

 

[Pin-seeker]

If its a friendly game & all parties are happy then I don't see a problem doing most of the things mentioned. If people want to play by the rule book then that's fine. Each to there own

 

[cookelad]

Strange one - Saturday morning swindles we play gimmes - but if I was to have a practice knock on my own Saturday afternoon or after work I'd hole everything out!

 

[bluewolf]

As usual a common sense and true answer not the usual BS being spouted by everyone else. I can guarantee that almost everyone will have broken a rule while playing a "bounce" game or a few holes at night.

If I'm out for a knock I play for fun and enjoyment not to test my rules knowledge and be a stickler for the game.

I am quite happy kicking it out of the cabbage.
I'm also just as happy taking a preferred lie if required.
I also don't mind the leather wedge out of a divot to improve my lie.
I don't mind teeing it up out with the permitted area.
I'm more than happy to move my ball a couple of inches on the green to get out of the way of spike marks etc.
I'll move my ball in a hazard if its unplayable, ie plugged in the face etc.

If I'm out with my mates we have no issue with just dropping a ball and playing on, dropping balls 100 yards out, dropping balls 70 yards out etc.(unless its a game we're playing and have a couple of bits riding on it!) Its about fun!!!!!!!

I have absolutely no issues at all about doing any of the above in a friendly knock about. Life's too short guys.

Spot on....

I consider myself just about smart enough to know the difference between a social knock and a competitive round.. If I ever get to the point where I'm struggling to differentiate the 2 then I'll probably have to give up the game as I'll be too busy concentrating on breathing and walking at the same time....

 

[Imurg]

Spot on....

I consider myself just about smart enough to know the difference between a social knock and a competitive round.. If I ever get to the point where I'm struggling to differentiate the 2 then I'll probably have to give up the game as I'll be too busy concentrating on breathing and walking at the same time....

:thup::clap::thup:

 

[CMAC]

I've been resisting the temptation to reply to all the posts that say they 'never' break a rule when out for a bounce game or on their own! Seriously! SERIOUSLY!

Your on your own or with a mate out for 'FUN' you can't find your drive and you walk all the way back to the tee and play another? yeah right!
Your mates having a slash in the woods and you have a 50 foot putt, you putt with the pin in, or wait till he's back, don't answer!

Golf is fun to me in bounce games, in medals it's also fun but serious fun and I want to do well under the test conditions.

Bounce games are like the classroom, enjoyable while learning while adhering to common sense rules.
Medals are Exam time where you adhere to all the rules and protocols to get your grading (score).

Everybody I've ever known in golf 'plays' (the clues in the name) this way and theCraws description.:thup:

 

[patricks148]

We play ready golf in our roll ups, so if you are ready to play play! speeds up the game no end. The odd gimme if its inside a foot

 

[Pin-seeker]

Spot on....

I consider myself just about smart enough to know the difference between a social knock and a competitive round.. If I ever get to the point where I'm struggling to differentiate the 2 then I'll probably have to give up the game as I'll be too busy concentrating on breathing and walking at the same time....

Hahaha love it!!!!!

 

[Stuey01]

I draw a line at leather wedge.
Otherwise agree with other posters re: putting with flag in, dropping for a lost ball rather than going back, not marking to clean ball on green etc. mostly for pace of play reasons.
Practice shots when out on my tod are fair game too.

 

[bladeplayer]

Il be honest here if its just two or 3 of us out for a game & not in a comp of any sort id say we break loads rules , we usen it for practice , we don't play for money so we pretty do what ever we like within reason ..

If there is a few euro on it we play the rules pretty much

If we play in any comps , club or society or what ever we play by the rules ..

If me and a couple of mates go for a game its meant to be a bit of fun , a catch up & a slobber , nothing more

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

We are still operating preferred lies, however I try and play as it lies. No I dont intentionally change rules in a friendly. If I am alone practising I might leave the flag in on long putts.

 

[duncan mackie]

Totally disagree as I've never once forgotten that I was taking part in a competition!

Rules are in place for golf no one is disputing that. They are there for a good valid reason and like you say for everyone to adhere to. I just don't do it to the letter of the law if I'm out for a few holes or a bit of fun with my mates. Enjoyment is a huge factor in golf.

I completely fail to see how "I've never once forgotten that I was taking part in a competition!" has significance in the context of " if you play in competitions with the same players it's really easy to 'slip up'" addressed to the OP, or are you suggesting that it never happens? If so we will just have to disagree because we get no end of such situations amongst the same groups of players who play Monday's in such a 'relaxed approach' and Wed in a competition (as an example from the last competion); and I expect a number of situations to arise when 'winter rules' are withdrawn as well, for the same reason.

The worst part about it being that people are angry with themselves for the slip - but tend to initially take it out on their playing partner/marker.

 

[thecraw]

I completely fail to see how "I've never once forgotten that I was taking part in a competition!" has significance in the context of " if you play in competitions with the same players it's really easy to 'slip up'" addressed to the OP, or are you suggesting that it never happens? If so we will just have to disagree because we get no end of such situations amongst the same groups of players who play Monday's in such a 'relaxed approach' and Wed in a competition (as an example from the last competion); and I expect a number of situations to arise when 'winter rules' are withdrawn as well, for the same reason.

The worst part about it being that people are angry with themselves for the slip - but tend to initially take it out on their playing partner/marker.

If people are stupid enough to forget what rules apply then they deserve all they get. I've called plenty of penalty shots on myself. As I say as soon as you enter a competition your in the competition if your stupid enough to forget that you signed in to the competition then you deserve to be DQ'd!

If playing partners cover it up or let them off for being stupid enough to forget they entered a competition then that shows what sort of people they are.

I fail to see your point as being valid so I agree to disagree!

 

[Jumboross]

A good game's a quick game. 'Ready golf', putting with flags in, not marking on green. All good to get round in <3 hours. Clearly strict rules of golf in any competition.

 

[GB72]

generally we agree a few rule 'changes' to keep up the pace of play. On a busy Saturday with no tee times then the place would grind to a halt if everyone treated a friendly knock as a full on medal round. Lost balls are dealt with by a drop and a penalty, putting with the flag in is OK, if you are ready then play and if there is a queue on the course, the shortest hitter always goes first off the tee rather than wait for the group ahead to get another 50 plus yards down the fairway if the longest hitter has the honour. Advice is always seen as OK and people regularly try each other's kit (my playing partner's FG Tour irons are sweet).

Generally the idea is to keep the pace up and keep it fun. Not once has any one of us forgotten to apply the proper rules in a competition.