How would you respond?

[londonlewis]

Yesterday I was playing with a mate in what became a very slow round.
It wasn't a huge issue given the glorious whether and was predominantly slowed down by a large number of 4-balls and a competition ahead of us.

We were on a par 5, had teed off and were waiting for the green to clear as both me and my playing partner were both going to attempt to get to the green in two (whether we did or not is not imporant here as you can't attempt to hit a green whilst a four ball are putting out).

The 4 ball behind us waited patiently, but not patiently enough. Despite the fact that we had not moved, the big gun of the group hammers his drive which flies by my partner and rolls to my feet. No shout of fore!

My question to him is why would you wait 5 minutes to then hit it at us anyway?

My question to you is - what would you do next?

I thought about knocking his ball in the water as a bit of a middle finger for playing when we weren't out of range. Ok, the ball would not have hurt me as it rolled to my feet. But it could have hurt my mate as it flew hip high past him.

In the end, we just walked on and left them to it without saying anything. But a big part of me wanted to either dunk his ball or hit it back at him!

 

[Pin-seeker]

The ball would defiantly av gone in the water I'm afraid. Bang out of order that.

 

[Ethan]

If you know who it was, complain to the club. There is no excuse for hitting into another group.

 

[Snelly]

I would have ignored it and assumed it was an accident.

 

[Fish]

Thrown it into the water and reported their idiot behaviour when back at the clubhouse.

I was frustrated to hell yesterday as we caught up with a 3 ball who were the tail end of a large society. I was waiting on the tee for almost 10 minutes from the 12th when they were only 70yds in front where air shots and 30-50yd duffs were all being practised by all 3 of them! I am not for one instance questioning their ability but, they all saw me on the tee and ignored me on the next 4 holes! Within those 4 holes (14th & 15th) a Marshall drove by and I signalled him over, I asked if he could have a word as we were generously let through 4 lots of seniors on the front 9 who were all in a competition but these guys were having none of it! His answer to me was, "we do not promote or encourage letting people through and I cannot comment on their ability, you'll just have to wait. We state that everyone should play to a 4-ball pace!" The course was backing up as the seniors were now waiting on US and they were certainly not playing to even a 4-ball pace!

I can understand frustration but not at the risk of harming someone if they are within my driving range, no excuse, ball in water for me.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

As a one-off I wouldn't have been too bothered, everyone gets a hold of one out the screws from time to time. If it happened a 2nd time though I would say something to the guy.

 

[Fish]

I would have ignored it and assumed it was an accident.

Your 'avin a bubble! If they have been seen to have waited 5 minutes of more, they have obviously fired one up their!

 

[One Planer]

I'd wait by his ball for him and ask him why he thinks it's acceptable to hit into a group in front.

Then if I was confident I could identify him, I would hen report him to the powers that be at the club.

 

[el marko]

Hitting golf balls at people isnt funny, whether it rolled to your feet or not. What if he had hit it that little bit harder? These are the type of people who speed up when you're crossing the road.

 

[golfdub]

This has happened often to me and my playing partners but last year I was playing alone and at a fast pace when putting on a par 3 the 4 ball behind me starting hitting there shots to the green. Only 1 landed on the green but I was so angry and after shouting some abuse at them I fired all four balls back them and then they stayed away after that. Now I know it's a bit immature but I think they deserved it, with your situation I would of just shouted ' what about a four' while waving my arms.

 

[Matty]

Depends whether it was a comp or a bounce round you were playing.

If it was just a social round I'd have played on with his ball and left behind mine or a chewed up old worn thing in the fairway for him.

you can always claim it was an honest mistake later and point out it couldn't have happened if he hadn't blasted his tee shot up your back.

 

[golfdub]

Also where was you playing ?

 

[jimbob.someroo]

"we do not promote or encourage letting people through and I cannot comment on their ability, you'll just have to wait. We state that everyone should play to a 4-ball pace!"

This is potentially the most ignorant ridiculous statement I've ever read with regards slow play. Please let me know where this is so that I can avoid it like the plague.

 

[Snelly]

Your 'avin a bubble! If they have been seen to have waited 5 minutes of more, they have obviously fired one up their!

I wouldn't be bothered. No-one got hurt.

I have hit balls past groups in front on the odd occasion by accident. It happens. A quick apology and get on with enjoying the game.

If someone did it a few times then I would wait and have a chat with them. My reaction to them would depend on their attitude.


All the posts on this where people are getting really vexed and saying that you would whack their ball in a lake are ridiculous.

 

[CMAC]

I'd wait by his ball for him and ask him why he thinks it's acceptable to hit into a group in front.

Then if I was confident I could identify him, I would hen report him to the powers that be at the club.

def this, theres no way it was an accident, probably showing off to his mates with "watch and I'll make them move on" type attitude..
not acceptable behaviour, golf balls can do damage

 

[super hans]

If it was a comp I would have knocked his ball into the rough or picked it up if it was a ProV1 etc. if it was a leisurely sunday stroll then I would have teed it up and sent it back to him. I once got whizzed by a group playing behind us, the drive went about 30 yards past me. I walked up to it, teed it up and topped it 50 yards back towards the tee. my partners pished themselves laughing, but I made my point to the fud. he later apologised saying he didn't realise how far we were in front as he hadn't played the course before

 

[Snelly]

golf balls can do damage

But they rarely do.

A fairway is a big green space and a person is a small target. How often do people get hit? Very rarely.

What course was this at anyway? And did the players who drove into you have tattoos?

 

[Fish]

This is potentially the most ignorant ridiculous statement I've ever read with regards slow play. Please let me know where this is so that I can avoid it like the plague.

Staverton Park (De Vere).

 

[londonlewis]

I wouldn't be bothered. No-one got hurt.

I have hit balls past groups in front on the odd occasion by accident. It happens. A quick apology and get on with enjoying the game.

If someone did it a few times then I would wait and have a chat with them. My reaction to them would depend on their attitude.


All the posts on this where people are getting really vexed and saying that you would whack their ball in a lake are ridiculous.

Would your reaction differ if the ball had hit you and even more so the more it hurt?
Kind of sounds like you are pro the 'no harm, no foul' rule for this.

 

[Fish]

I wouldn't be bothered. No-one got hurt.

I have hit balls past groups in front on the odd occasion by accident. It happens. A quick apology and get on with enjoying the game.

If someone did it a few times then I would wait and have a chat with them. My reaction to them would depend on their attitude.


All the posts on this where people are getting really vexed and saying that you would whack their ball in a lake are ridiculous.

The casing point for me is, they already waited around 5 minutes so they were confident they were in the OP's range but STILL then went ahead and fired one when their patience ran out! That is not an accident IMO.