Etiquette

[mik]

Hi everyone,
Having just seen realgolfer pass 2000 posts I thought it was about time I made my first post. I am a relatively new golfer and a recent member of the forum. I love golf and love the forum (even, or perhaps especially, when I disagree with some of the posts), mainly because it is not full of people who shoot under par every round. In fact, from what I have read so far, most contributors are like me: I KNOW it will all come together one day, but until then I'm happy with minor triumphs.
Anyway, enough of that. My question (with apologies if it has been raised before): Is it permissible to play out of turn? I'm thinking of, for example, when there is a queue on the tee. Your partnet drives further than you but maybe has to search for his ball in the rough. In the interests of not holding play up, can I play my ball first then go and help him search. Or, perhaps I'm on the green and he is trekking round to the far side off the green. I should say that my Club is a small club which does not allocate tee times.
Anyway, thanks for reading.

 

[RGuk]

mik....welcome.....

Playing out of turn is a bit of a no-no i.m.o. In a friendly game, it's ok and sometimes in a serious game I might invite a player to go "if he's ready".
Regardless of tee etiquette, playing out of turn on the course can have serious implications. We sometimes putt up to keep the game moving (while the further ball is working stuff out) but it's a tightrope with folks you don't know.

Most golfers are cool about it....I guess??? I suspect we are about to find out.

 

[theeaglehunter]

welcome to the forum Mik, congratulations for signing up.

In regard to your question in general it certainly is permissible to play out of turn if the circumstances permit. You only have to look at the US open where Tiger asked Mediate to putt first to avoid him having to stand awkwardly around his ball marker. And particularly in the situation you describe where it is just a practice round it is certainly a good idea to play your ball first before helping a partner (presuming you know them) look for their's so as to avoid slow play, that is showing consideration for other players on the course and an example of good etiquette. In a competition though you should always try and let the person furthest from the hole play there shot first regardless. It is pretty rare that a reason arises to inhibit this process.

I hope this helps.

 

[Nico]

Welcome Mik!

Playing out of turn is a very tricky thing. The general rule is that you should always ask whether it is ok to play and give a reason why you want to.

In competition as long as your playing partners/opposition agree then there is no problem.

 

[Doh]

Mik

Welcome to the forum

In stroke play there may be times when it can be a benefit to the group your playing with for you to play out of turn but always ask first.

In Matchplay playing out of turn may have more serious consequences like being asked to replay a shot.

 

[Parmo]

Funny you should mention this Mik (and welcome) I and my step son used to do this, then a friend started playing and every time he won a hole he tee'd off (fair enough), but when one of us won he would just tee off anyway. I was a little put out when it first happened but now ignore it as if he cocks up it gives me more confidence to either out drive him or hit the green.

He also walked off once after teeing off before we had even tee'd up the ball for ours grrr

 

[grumpyjock]

Always ask first before you play as the others may be in the grove going through their pre shot routine.
Regarding helping an other player search for a lost ball remember the 5 min rule.
I always search first them go and play as normally the lost ball is in the rough and mine is on the fairway.
There is nothing worse than comming over the top of a hill to find 4 players comming out of the trees and walking up the fairway.
If in doubt always give way and stay calm.
It is important to pass on good etiquite and manners to anyone just starting.
And Parmo just say "manners please" as he goes to place his ball works wonders.

 

[viscount17]

I think some people are really twitchy about honours and order of play, others are far more relaxed and more willing (even eager) to forgo these in order to keep the game moving.

In competition stick to the order of play unless invited to play first. In a friendly (are there such things?) you can make your own minds up.

 

[OldWindy]

Rule of thumb is the person furthest away from the hole plays first. Our group recognises that the lowest handicapper tees off first on the first hole. The lowest gross score gets the honour on the next. The last person to get on the green still plays first even if nearer the hole than someone on the green. Common sense should prevail if there is a mislaid ball or for time/practical reasons, even for safety reasons. If you play with a regular group you will all get an understanding but you should expect folks to understand the etiquette and if they're shaky then speak up.

 

[Spoff]

Welcome to the board, you appear to be a similar standard to me.

I agree with pretty much what has already been put. I'm yet to play in (an official) competition, we usually play furthest from hole and hole 'winner' has honour on next tee, but of one of us is taking a drink or whatever others will play shots so not to slow up and cause others to back-up.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say I'm a bit of a voice in the wilderness here. On Saturday mornings it can get very busy at my course and several of my group can be erratic off the tee. As a rule of thumb, if they go into the rough I normally go and look until such time as I ca play my next shot safely. I'll then go and get ready leaving them to continue looking. Once I've played my shot that is normally the cue for them to play their provisional and move on.

The same thing happens to me when I'm offline too. We'll look until the first member of the group can play and the'll hit. Once the others have played we give it up as a lost ball and move on

This means we are moving pretty constantly throughout without putting any undue pressure on the group in front and keeping going for those behind.

Let me be clear. In official competitions it is furthest from the flag every time. Five minuts to look for a ball and provisionals if there is any doubt.

What I've described works for our Saturday morning swindle and is only there as an aid to sensibly paced friendly golf

 

[USER1999]

I go with Homer on this one, this is roughly what we do. On the tee, we play ready golf, who ever is ready, plays. Sometimes the guy whose honour it is is still messing about with gloves, hats, umbrellas, etc, and it makes no sense to wait for him when someone else can go.

Medal by the book though.

 

[shanker]

Mik
It's simple.
In stroke play there is NO PENALTY for playing out of turn UNLESS it is clear that two players have agreed to do so in order to give one of them an advantage. In this case they are both disqualified.
In match play your opponent has the right to ask you to replay your shot.
You will find that in stroke play there are umpteen situations where it is logical to play out of turn and nobody will complain.
Regards
Shanker

 

[mikest]

what shanker said.

I've seen an old timer tell a young up start at my club to replay his shot in the club matchplay after the young lad had just played a great approach to within 2 feet! the lad does need knocking down a peg or two like but I felt for him on that occasion but I suppose he should have known.