How much help do you/should you give an opponent from another club?

[louise_a]

When I played my first team match at our place, I asked our captain what I should tell my opponent, she said, point out where problems are etc, which I though was fair enough.
Today I played an away match and although my opponent told me about doglegs ans stuff that was about it.

On one hole I pushed my drive into the trees, I asked her whether it would be easy to find and should I play a provisional, she said it was up to me, I asked if she would play one and she said she wasnt allowed to tell me. I played a prov ball, but found my first.

On another, I asked her if a tree would come into play on the second shot, she said it depended where my ball was. I played my teeshot wide right and then she said thats the best place to be. Why couldnt she say its better to go right like I would have done?

Am I expecting too much or are our team being too open?

 

[seochris]

Were you winning at the time? :smirk:

 

[louise_a]

no I was behind most of the round.

 

[seochris]

So did you win?

 

[Hobbit]

Why give up home advantage by telling your opponent how to play the course?

I've played scratch team for donkey's years and I've never asked nor been asked how best to play a hole.

 

[G1BB0]

I wouldnt expect any help tbh nore would I give it!

 

[louise_a]

as posted elsewhere I got a half after being dormie 3 down.

I did try and get a course map from the pros shop but they dont do them.

 

[duncan mackie]

learning curve

I wouldn't turn up for a match without spending a few moments looking at the course on the www

I definitely don't want anyone to point anything out to me - hate it in spades.

I would expect a response to a straight question about a hole - but I would also accept that none of the indicative questions you have used above are straight forward ie I understand you opponents concerns.

There was a post here about the future of course planners - I think you just answered it

 

[garyinderry]

i played a new course last friday and i was constantly asking off the tee if it was safe to go left or is it safe right etc? you cant play a course you dont know without asking these questions. a straight question should yield a straight answer. if they dont answer then they fear you and you will stuff the crap out of them in the return match.

 

[duncan mackie]

i played a new course last friday and i was constantly asking off the tee if it was safe to go left or is it safe right etc? you cant play a course you dont know without asking these questions. a straight question should yield a straight answer. if they dont answer then they fear you and you will stuff the crap out of them in the return match.

sorry to be blunt Gary but the questions you pose are so far from 'straight questions' it's almost funny.

 

[garyinderry]

i dont think it could be simplier. i ask, if i put my ball out to the right, will i get it again! same for the left! these are places that are not in view from the tee. YOU CANT KNOW THIS WITHOUT ASKING!

 

[DaveM]

Not sure but. Does this not, fall foul of the rules. Giving and asking advice?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It varies. In the friendly matches we have with other clubs then I'll be more than willing to share a bit of knowledge. In the Volvo or something similar, I'll answer a straight question with a straight answer but won't offer any real advice unless asked and even then try and keep it othe basic facts. The team games are all about the banter but Volvo etc is more serious so why give up any advantage you have at home

 

[SocketRocket]

As I am quite an accommodating kinda guy I ask if they need any information on the hole layout. If they want some then I will explain the layout of the fairway (doglegs, or if its a blind tee then what lies ahead) any bunkers or water. I think this is just good sportsmanship, I would not like to win a game by being unhelpful.

It's not against the rules asking about course layout or giving information. It would be different if you said something like " Don't hit a driver off this tee, it's best to play safe with a 3 wood"

 

[garyinderry]

As I am quite an accommodating kinda guy I ask if they need any information on the hole layout. If they want some then I will explain the layout of the fairway (doglegs, or if its a blind tee then what lies ahead) any bunkers or water. I think this is just good sportsmanship, I would not like to win a game by being unhelpful.

It's not against the rules asking about course layout or giving information. It would be different if you said something like " Don't hit a driver off this tee, it's best to play safe with a 3 wood"

exactly. im not asking how far is it to the corner or anything. im simply asking what is around the corner. ie - the course layout.

 

[louise_a]

thats what I think Socket, its good sportsmanship, maybe I am just niave. its a poor show though if you cant buy a course planner.

 

[Kellfire]

exactly. im not asking how far is it to the corner or anything. im simply asking what is around the corner. ie - the course layout.

Distances are matter of fact though, not against the rules. Asking for how to approach a corner would be...

 

[DaveM]

So asking which is the best side of the fairway for the dog leg. Would be asking for advice. But asking the distance to the corner of the dog leg would not be as its a fact. Damn confusing these rules at times!

 

[louise_a]

Interestingly, a few times when I asked how far to bunkers or corner, she never knew.

 

[RGDave]

As I am quite an accommodating kinda guy I ask if they need any information on the hole layout. If they want some then I will explain the layout of the fairway (doglegs, or if its a blind tee then what lies ahead) any bunkers or water. I think this is just good sportsmanship, I would not like to win a game by being unhelpful.

It's not against the rules asking about course layout or giving information. It would be different if you said something like " Don't hit a driver off this tee, it's best to play safe with a 3 wood"

Good post. I'll answer any "matter of fact" questions, but I'd never offer any advice. It'd be up to the player to work out if he can take a driver or whatever. For example, we have an uphill par 3. I'll happily remind someone it's OOB off the back if they say "what's behind the green?" but I won't comment if they go up 2 clubs, when it's only 1/2 a club.