do you break any rules

[hovis]

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. if it doesn't effect anyone elses game and money isn't on the line then why not? thats why its called a friendly game. below are some of the rules myself and friends break durring friendly games

teeing outside of the markers if the ground isn't level
grounding clubs in hazzards
playing out of turn
putting with the flag in
my friend took a practice swing and hit his ball so he put it back (no penalty)
picking a ball up of the green to clean in without marking it
using friends clubs to see what they are like
picking and cleaning balls no matter where they are.

can i stress that when we play comps we are 100% by the book. when we have a social knock we really dont care. just happy to be on the course and not at work so we do all we can to keep it enjoyable. i know some folk will say that this will encourage bad habbits but personly, it doesn't

 

[CliveW]

There is no such thing as a friendly game in my book!
Rule 1.3 "Players MUST NOT agree to exclude the operation of ANY rule or to waive any penalty incurred."
If you decide to exclude rules or penalties then an individual player can have an advantage over another. Play by the rules and nobody gains an unfair advantage.

 

[full_throttle]

after our knock in the winter need you ask?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Never understood why anyone would break any rules. I want to be playing the same rules whenever I play, that way, I don't get into the wrong habits for comps, plus, if I shoot the lights out, I want to know I did it fairly. Still, you won't be alone in your situation and you're not harming anyone, I just wouldn't do it.

 

[chrisd]

We never break the rules in a friendly game but like this evening I will have practise game with a mate and will throw down extra balls and have a few extra chips and putts, but I suppose you wouldn't class that as a game anyway!

 

[Slab]

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. if it doesn't effect anyone elses game and money isn't on the line then why not? thats why its called a friendly game. below are some of the rules myself and friends break durring friendly games

teeing outside of the markers if the ground isn't level
grounding clubs in hazzards
playing out of turn
putting with the flag in
my friend took a practice swing and hit his ball so he put it back (no penalty)
picking a ball up of the green to clean in without marking it
using friends clubs to see what they are like
picking and cleaning balls no matter where they are.

can i stress that when we play comps we are 100% by the book. when we have a social knock we really dont care. just happy to be on the course and not at work so we do all we can to keep it enjoyable. i know some folk will say that this will encourage bad habbits but personly, it doesn't

I think its a sensible approach where all players agree and as you say its easy to distinguish between our friendlies & comp games so that rules are enforced so I don't think it'll promote bad habits

Whether we call it a friendly or a two ball out for a practice (even solo rounds) I'd guess everyone has at some point played another ball in or replayed a chip, putted with flag in, dropped where we lost it etc etc etc so its hard to see how its 100% rules every time we all step onto the course

p.s. I guess you know but the one I've bold'd is only a breach if the ball is in play i.e after tee shot

 

[Wayman]

No you don't do it in a comp so why in a nock :s

 

[JPH]

Well I haven't played in any competitions and my handicap is a dodgy golfshake one however I insist on playing by the rules, doesn't allways go down well with my usual 4 ball but I'm a stickler , as I'm hoping to compete at sometime in the future I'd like to get it right now , also if I post a score in golfshake I want it to be correct and proper

 

[hovis]

There is no such thing as a friendly game in my book!
Rule 1.3 "Players MUST NOT agree to exclude the operation of ANY rule or to waive any penalty incurred."
If you decide to exclude rules or penalties then an individual player can have an advantage over another. Play by the rules and nobody gains an unfair advantage.

its very rarely i play against my playing partners. they play their game and i play mine. i just see a friendly game as practice so dont wont to get consumed as to if my ball is 0.5 cm away from its original place when i picked it to clean it.

 

[hovis]

after our knock in the winter need you ask?

i was a little confused as to why using my firends new hybrid was such a shocker to you. but i have to give it you, you do stick to the rules...... apart from not knowing you can mark your ball off the green

 

[Captainron]

I'll tee up outside a demarcated teeing area if it looks like no mans land in a friendly game.

 

[tsped83]

Not for me, play by the rules whatever the game. I'm still a fairly new golfer so to not do so would only see me pick up bad habits.

 

[Hobbit]

If I'm playing by myself, i.e. a practice round, anything goes. If its a knock with the guys its by the rules apart from having a go with their new shiny but that would be with a different ball than the one in play.

 

[Imurg]

There are times outside competition when it makes sense to.
Occasionally, either Fragger or me, will not be able to find a ball so will drop another and play on under penalty of a blob...
I also give the Old Fella advice during the round, especially if he gets the J Arthurs with his hybrid off the tee.
In proper competition he's on his own and in the other scenario he's walking back, but during a social knock I can't see an issue as long as everyone agrees..

 

[MadAdey]

There are certain things that have already been mentioned that me and my mates do, but I never do anything that will give any real advantage, as I want to knwo if I score well then it was genuine.

 

[bernix]

There is rule - not sure if it still in effect - that in a stableford competition the player with best NET score is first to play on the next hole. I have never met any player abide this rule, did you

 

[North Mimms]

To keep things moving, we will play a lost ball or OOB as a water hazard- play another ball from an agreed drop area.
Lost balls that really shouldn't be lost may be played under "crowd rules" ie Tiger's fans would have seen it in the light rough over the brow of the hill)

Playing out of turn and not tending the flag if we are all miles from the pin (we have very big greens), Yes.

Grounding club in hazard? Never. as I use a friendly game to practice the hover to make sure that when it really matters, I am confident that I can hit a clean shot out of a hazard.

 

[Val]

The things you mention as rule breakers are the type of thing i'd do if out for 9 on my own, if out for a knock with some mates then it's pretty much by the book, it has to be when theres a couple of quid in it

 

[One Planer]

I play by the rules, or else what's the point.

Like Fundy in a previous thread. I may drop extra balls in play on a hole of practicing alone. Take a few extra chips and putts but other than that I play by the book.

 

[thecraw]

If I'm playing by myself, i.e. a practice round, anything goes. If its a knock with the guys its by the rules apart from having a go with their new shiny but that would be with a different ball than the one in play.

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.