good birthday round

[kev_off_the_tee]

I was due to have a round with friends today but unfortunately got cancelled due to unavoidable reasons. I rocked up to the club anyway and stuck my name down on a white 'free' slot and was kindly offered to join a triple to make up a competition fourball, albeit it at the secretarys request.

2 nice fellas and a right stickler, who unfortunately ended up marking my first card to be submitted for a handicap. 2 of the fellas couldn't have been better, good conversation and very helpful advice. The other was a miserable so and so who for some reason was knock everyone elses game. Worst part about it was I actually scored better than him, a player of 30+ years.

The only real thing to let today down was the 16th hold when I was setting up, the wind caught my ball and knocked it off the tee. I said I didn't touch it but the stickler said that it was my 'setting up' which caused the ball to move. RUBBISH, I was no where near the ball and when it rolled forward I was actually in the middle of my back swing. If I wasn't a better person, I would have wrapped my driver round the old tossers neck

Any way, my round. My driving was good as hit around 75% fairways at 220-290 yards, my irons and hybrids were better than normal but my putting was appalling. I'm talking 3,4,5 and at one point 6 putting.

I hit 102 but given that I know my game was there and can do better on my putting I'm really happy with how it went. I know where I can improve I thanked the 2 fellas for the round and there help. The last fella struggled to shake my hand at the end and nearly didn't sign my card.

but never mind, life goes on and I'm now getting ready for a few beers so that'll cap what was a canny day off

 

[G1BB0]

nice one Kevin, shame about the stickler, at least you didnt let him spoil it for you and will know in future to avoid him if possible

now go enjoy them beers

 

[fundy]

think you may want to lower your handicap target of 90 though

 

[MashieNiblick]

Good for you for giving the comp a go and glad you had a good day despite the "stickler". Don't know what he was on about re your ball falling off the tee. From what you say it sounds to me like he was wrong. It is well known that there is no penalty if your ball falls off the tee when you address it even if you touch it. Just re-tee it and start again. Hope he didn't make you incur a penalty.

"Rule 11-3 - Ball Falling off Tee.

If a ball, when not in play, falls off a tee or is knocked off a tee by the player in addressing it, it may be re-teed, without penalty. However, if a stroke is made at the ball in these circumstances, whether the ball is moving or not, the stroke counts, but there is no penalty."

On a tee a ball isn't in play until you have made a "stroke" at it. A stroke is defined as a forward movement of the club with the intention of striking the ball. So as long as you hadn't already had an air shot or didn't try to hit the ball after it had fallen off, you just re-tee and start again, no penalty.

Different after you've made a stroke on the teeing ground. The ball is then "in play". Then if the ball moves after you address it, it is a penalty (Rule 18-2b).

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good for you for giving the comp a go and glad you had a good day despite the "stickler". Don't know what he was on about re your ball falling off the tee. From what you say it sounds to me like he was wrong. It is well known that there is no penalty if your ball falls off the tee when you address it even if you touch it. Just re-tee it and start again. Hope he didn't make you incur a penalty.

"Rule 11-3 - Ball Falling off Tee.

If a ball, when not in play, falls off a tee or is knocked off a tee by the player in addressing it, it may be re-teed, without penalty. However, if a stroke is made at the ball in these circumstances, whether the ball is moving or not, the stroke counts, but there is no penalty."

On a tee a ball isn't in play until you have made a "stroke" at it. A stroke is defined as a forward movement of the club with the intention of striking the ball. So as long as you hadn't already had an air shot or didn't try to hit the ball after it had fallen off, you just re-tee and start again, no penalty.

Different after you've made a stroke on the teeing ground. The ball is then "in play". Then if the ball moves after you address it, it is a penalty (Rule 18-2b).

Suggest you get a copy of the rules and show "Mr Stickler" that he is as thick as he's arrogant

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

Suggest you get a copy of the rules and show "Mr Stickler" that he is as thick as he's arrogant

thats exactly what he was, bloody arrogant.

To be honest I wasn't in the comp 'officially' and made it clear that I wasn't playing strict rules as the round was intended as a friendly knock. i had took 2 practice swings but 2/3 steps back from the ball.

Again, it didn't spoil my day as the other 2 fellas were good crack and give me really good advice and talked me around the course. I think I'll play a better round from now on just based on their advice which was simply and rediculously obvious.

Another good thing about the round was that I met 3 members of the club having only played with 1 other (golfboysatty). There is nothing more awkward than fancying a pint after a round on your own and finding your at a table on your lonesome in the bar

 

[Imurg]

Although you can guarantee that someone will say "That's one!" if you knock your ball off the tee.
Ah! Banter - you can't beat it can you?

 

[Whee]

Don't worry about the ball falling off the tee pal - i'm in the same boat as you.

It's the sheer power of the Yon. The ball knows it's going to take a good spanking off the tee, so it's always looking to avoid the hit by rolling off.

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

thats the best way of looking at it, just not sure it's expecting a spanking when I line one up haha

 

[richy]

It wasnt my uncle was it? What was his name?

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

honestly cant remember richy. How posh does he sound and roughly how old?

what clubs does he play with? sounds daft but might be able to place him as I had a good look at their gear.

 

[richy]

Not posh in the slightest. He's about 60 but looks a lot younger. Plays ping irons I think but I'm not sure. He's a sound bloke so I doubt he was the knob

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

Nah these fellas were OLD. Looking back on yesturday I was probably harsh on the fella. He was obviously out for the comp and had me dumped on his trio.

I am not of the same skill level and my game was probably putting them off there's in some way. They probably looked and thought "all the gear and no idea"

Main thing is I got a card and will start at 28 and take it from there

 

[Billysboots]

Rather than "stickler" I would tend to go for the word "tosser" - he sure sounds like one. Don't let prats like that get to you, Kev.

I have a minor query regarding your signature - are you really aiming for a handicap of 90 by September? I'm sure you're capable of better!

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

I have a minor query regarding your signature - are you really aiming for a handicap of 90 by September? I'm sure you're capable of better!

Thanks for the vote of confidence. i'd rather aim low and exceed than aim high and be disappointed.

I'm sure from the advice that was given I'll improve no end and if I beat the 90 then the older fella will be getting a nice bottle

 

[madandra]

What did the elderly gentleman actually say to you?

Was he irate with rage and calling you a cheat?

He must have done something to upset you so much?