Dodgy counting

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w1ndw1ll

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Played my second competition yesterday, (monthly stableford). Played in a 3 ball, problem was, on the third hole one of my playing partners hit his drive wildly on to the 16th fairway, I believe he had at least 2 more shots to get into a greenside bunker, 3 more shots to get out of the bunker, 2 putts, SIX! I wasn't marking his card (that was the 3rd player in the 3 ball). I didn't want to say anything as I'm new to the club and don't want to cause ructions. He 'miscounted' on 3 more holes and is a 'stalwart' of the club. Not sure what to do? Any suggestions?
I managed to come 2nd but this soured my day.
 
Toughy this one. firstly you need proof of deliberate miscalculation and if the guy is as you say a stalwart' of the club it may be difficult to get someone else to come forward and back you up. If you can and are committed to bringing this guy to book then you will have to take the matter to the committee, this again, because of the guy's standing will be fraught with danger, they may take his side and that will leave you out in the cold and exposed.
I hate cheating as much as the next man but I would tread carefully or get a cast iron case before taking action. Golf clubs and their loyalty can be a daunting place.
 
I agree, I think keeping my mouth shut is the only sensible way forward, I have know intention of taking it any further but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Interestingly this guy has finished in the top 3 in the 2 comps.
 
What did the chap marking his card make of all of this? If the pair of you both have shared concerns then you could mention it to the secretary to have a quiet word. Agree with drawboy that you need to tread carefully as unfortunately some clubs are still run by a closely knit bunch of droothy cronnies who could make it difficult.
 
I'd agree and tread carefully. Don't want to ruin his reputation never mind yours if his mates are on the committee too and stand by him. It's a sad state of affairs if it turns sour for you, but just hope you don't draw him again for your next few comps.
Just smile and enjoy your golf and hopefully things will come round and be fair on everyone. :)
 
I wouldnt do anything until youplay with him again and then make sure you're the one marking his card. Then shadow his every move and shot so that you can legitimately put him right when he makes a miscalculation. The a slightly sarcastic comment along the lines of " you're maths is c**p , do you always have problems with you're adding up or is it just on the golf course ?"
 
If you don't sort things like this out at the time then you are on a hiding to nothing.

What's wrong with saying "hang on a minute, wasn't that a 6 ?" when he presumably said to his marker it was a 5 ?

You, the marker and him then go through the shots (drive, iron, approach to bunker, out, 2 putts for 6) and he will no doubt humbly apologise and nothing more will be said. More importantly he will know that you and the marker will stand for no nonsense if he is doing it deliberately and if not will be embarrassed and should be more careful.

The overiding thing here though is for God's sake make sure you are right before saying anything otherwise you will be the one who's embarrassed.
 
I say confront him make him count shot by shot and hell relieze he wont get away with it even if its just when playing with you. We had a junior like this last year and every time he said it was a 5 when really it was a 6 i would (if playing with him) say no that was a 6 and if he persisted he had a 5 then you can just make him count each shot.
 
Agree with Fylde, you don't have to be confrontational about it you can do it in a lighthearted manner (although there is a serious undertone).

When he steps on to the next tee, just remind him it's not his honour becasue he had a 6 to your 5. When he says he also had a 5, just say "Sorry mate, stupid me, I thought I counted 6 shots" and then go through them.

The fact that you are new at the club shouldn't have any bearing in it really.
 
I hear what you saying, and on the whole agree with you. I haven't been a member for long and have been playing golf for less than a year. Golf clubs can be intimidating places. This is why I'm keeping quiet until I get more confidence in the surroundings. Ironically I want to be paired with him again so that I can mark his card. This would give me the opportunity to point out mis-counts.
I want to let him know that I know, but do it in a quiet discreet manner.
 
It is a toughy especially if he is such a "stalwart". I think these problems nees to be nipped in the bud on the course as bringing them up afterwards when all the cards have been signed and entered is opening a potential can of worms hich may do you no favour in the long run. I agree that th easiest thing is to quietly question it as you walk off the green and go through the shots with him. Even if you aren't marking the card you have a duty to the rest of the competition to make sure everyone in your group is playing fair
 
Hmm, it's been a long time since I've come across this.

The only thing I've ever done is have a quiet word with the player marking his card (a hole or two later, when the player is busy) and enquire "what did XXX make at the fourth?" and when he says "I have him down for a 6", you come back with the query. Once the marker knows you are on the case, he'll realise he is then under your scrutiny.

If it happens again, then mention it to someone on the committee or the pro.....do it in a quiet way and just express your concern.. :D, don't ask for heads on plates!!!
 
Yep I would ask his marker about it. Then he would likely have a word with him and they would both know I'm on the case. If I was marking his card it would not be signed, I wouldn'd care who or what he is in the club, if they are cheating I'd soon let them know. I defo wouldn'd be playing with them again. But they sure would know why I wont play with them again!
 
Too late now!

Confront the CHEAT at the time, tell him it clearly wasn't a six and count the hole shot by shot back to him.

Speak up at the time or hold your tounge forever.
 
I agree that it is too late now but if it happens again just play the fool slightly and say that you got it to x but you are not good at maths. Then start going through the shots. He will go along and hopefully get it right that time.

You do have to keep on top of it though.

At one time there was a player in our group that could not count at all.
He would get scores wrong in his favour and against him.
He could sy 5 when he had 4 or the other way. He found it impossible to remember what any of the rest of us scored.
 
There is no excuse for this, whether he is a club stalwart or the club captain. By allowing a member to get away with this, you and your playing partner are not being honest to either the other players in the field, or the game of golf as a whole. I agree with the others that it is too late now after the event. If you ever play with this guy again, or anyone else who clearly miscounts, then I'm afraid it is your duty to point this out on the course at the completion of the hole where he can't count. This guy needs to be brought to order, and if there are cronies at the club who put up with it and are unwilling to do anything about it, then it may need a new member like you to bring it to the attention of the committee. You may not be popular with a few people for a while, but I can absolutely guarantee that most members will be glad that the issue has been tackled. If you are blackballed in any way then you have recourse to the County golf authority.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, I agree with pretty much all of your comments, but in my defence I'm new to this sport and I really don't want to put my foot in it. As far as the club is concerned I genuinley think they would back me up, as I think it is an honourable place. As I have said previously I'm inexperienced and have sought your advice to try and work out a way to proceed. Honestly this Guy may be a rubbish counter (but I doubt it) The thing that upsets me is he cheating everyone in the competiton. Rest assured I will deal with it.
 
When I'm marking someone's card I always try to count their shots as well as my own so I can ask if they had a 5 (or whatever) in a questionny (made up word) tone of voice.

Rightly or wrongly I feel I'm being ignorant if I don't know their score, and it's also harder for them to miscount if I've already said what I think they took.
 
Because I'm crap at adding up, I often go through my shots with my marker, and vice versa with the guy I'm marking.

That way everyone checks with everyone else, and there's nothing hidden.

Also nothing to be embarrassed about.
 
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