I didn't concede

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In a match and 2 down after 5 and giving a load of shots to a guy who after 5 holes looks to be playing well. 6th is Par 3 and no shot for opponent. He hits par 3 green leaves a long straight uphill putt - I am closer but on fringe with a tricky 12ft cross and downhill (severe after hole) putt. He putts up to a bit less than 18" short of hole and goes to tap in his simple straight uphill 'almost' tap-in - looks up and asks if he can finish off. I say no. He looks at me a bit quizzically. I say no - just mark it please - he looked again - I said please mark it. I putt up to 18" and he doesn't give (fair enough) and I hole out - then concede his putt.

I explained to him that I didn't know how long his putt was. I did - but didn't want him in the hole with a 3 when I had a tricky putt to ensure I got down in a 3 also (not really looking to hole it) - I did not want to mess up and go three down and wasn't going to give him the advantage of being in the hole for 3 putting that little unnecessary bit of pressure on myself. And I wanted to just put a little bit of uncertainty in his mind about what I was about

It's not the most important comp. I know I was in the right - but was I pushing it a bit?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Isn't the rule in matchplay that you can't play out of order (except 4bbb)?
As such, he would have been breaking the rules if he'd have tapped in/holed out?
Also, there is no rule that you must give a putt so you were completely in the right, IMHO.

 

[Tarkus1212]

Nope, you weren't pushing it at all. If you'd missed your 18" putt then I assume you'd have asked him to putt out? In matchplay I never assume a putt is going to be given regardless of length. I've been asked to hole out from 6" before and I'm happy to do so. I also assume that my opponent is going to hole every putt, so I'm not surprised when they do. So much of matchplay is in the mind - and I love it, it's the best form of golf there is IMHO.

 

[hacker_al]

I don't think you were pushing it at all.
It was your turn to play and, therfore, your call.

 

[la_lucha]

I think it's fair enough. It's your turn to putt and you want to take your putt. I don't see a problem as long as you presented it in a way to avoid conflict.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

who won? Just out of interest.

 

[JCW]

In a match and 2 down after 5 and giving a load of shots to a guy who after 5 holes looks to be playing well. 6th is Par 3 and no shot for opponent. He hits par 3 green leaves a long straight uphill putt - I am closer but on fringe with a tricky 12ft cross and downhill (severe after hole) putt. He putts up to a bit less than 18" short of hole and goes to tap in - looks up and asks if he can finish off. I say no. He looks at me a bit quizzically. I say no - just mark it please - he looked again - I said please mark it. I putt up to 18" and he doesn't give (fair enough) and I hole out - then concede his putt.

I explained to him that I didn't know how long his putt was. I did - but didn't want him in the hole with a 3 when I had a tricky putt to ensure I got down in a 3 also (not really looking to hole it) - I did not want to mess up and go three down and wasn't going to give him the advantage of being in the hole for 3 putting that little unnecessary bit of pressure on myself. And I wanted to just put a little bit of uncertainty in his mind about what I was about

It's not the most important comp. I know I was in the right - but was I pushing it a bit?

Not at all , he should know the rules and he is not allowed to putt out as its not his turn , he should have marked the ball unless you said otherwise . Many try it on in matchplay as they do not fancy having to wait to tap in as by then it maybe for a 1/2 and the pressure is then on them so they try it on , stand firm always ..........:thup:

 

[Deleted member 18121]

What would happen if he had just walked up and tapped in without asking?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

who won? Just out of interest.

He did - 3 and 1. He played very very well - a very useful 17 hcapper - so had to give him 7 shots. He'd already had two gross birdies in first 5 holes so I was wanting to tighten things up a little - still thought I'd win.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What would happen if he had just walked up and tapped in without asking?

I'd have asked him to put his ball back and mark it

btw - he was more curious I think as to why I did what I did - there was no issue of disagreement. He knew he couldn't tap in without my consent as probably thought it just a little too long for me to concede (it wasn't)

 

[Tarkus1212]

What would happen if he had just walked up and tapped in without asking?

You ask him to replace the ball - the stroke is cancelled and there is no penalty.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

He did - 3 and 1. He played very very well - a very useful 17 hcapper - so had to give him 7 shots. He'd already had two gross birdies in first 5 holes so I was wanting to tighten things up a little - still thought I'd win.

It's a shame really, I was hoping the little piece of mind games would have paid dividends.

I'd have asked him to put his ball back and mark it

btw - he was more curious I think as to why I did what I did - there was no issue of disagreement. He knew he couldn't tap in without my consent as probably thought it just a little too long for me to concede (it wasn't)

Every day is a school day. Interesting scenario.

 

[Foxholer]

What would happen if he had just walked up and tapped in without asking?

Then he would have been playing out of turn - and SILH would have been entitled to tell him to replace.
@OP
Perfectly reasonable way to play the hole. Surprised guy was surprised or, for that matter, considering tapping it in cf checking for concession. Might have had an effect on his attitude for rest of game, so all part of Matchplay. That 'don't concede until you have putted your own' approach is one I learned from (competitive) Ladies!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

You ask him to replace the ball - the stroke is cancelled and there is no penalty.

I'd already mentioned to him on an earlier hole (before he played) that he'd tee'd up just outside the teeing ground. I told him to watch that as I might well have asked him to retake his tee shot if he played from where he had had it tee'd.

(See other thread on this subject - he continued to tee up on the line but after he noticed me checking he started teeing a gfoot or two back - but why oh why do some folks insist on teeing their ball up right on the line?)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Then he would have been playing out of turn - and SILH would have been entitled to tell him to replace.
@OP
Perfectly reasonable way to play the hole. Surprised guy was surprised or, for that matter, considering tapping it in cf checking for concession. Might have had an effect on his attitude for rest of game, so all part of Matchplay.

You got it there. He was 2 up - playing well - had holed out well to that point - and a load of shots to come - so everything hunky dory. I just wanted to put a little jolt and disconnect into his thinking - naughty me

I'll add that holes 7 and 8 looked OK chances for me to win one of them but maybe not both From 9 to 14 he got 4 shots so I did not want to be any worse than 2 down playing 9.

 

[Birchy]

Well within the rules but the scenario sounds like one where if your opponent was a forum member they would be on here complaining about a stuck up git they have just played :rofl:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Well within the rules but the scenario sounds like one where if your opponent was a forum member they would be on here complaining about a stuck up git they have just played :rofl:

Aye - you are probably not wrong (and you missed out the 'old' between 'up' and 'git' - and could stick in 'Scottish' anywhere you want)

 

[ScienceBoy]

I was once told to concede only to a ball marker, never to a ball.

I wish I had heeded that good advice, stops rushed decisions and also is a good habit to confidently mark your ball as if you can hole anything!

 

[guest100718]

If there is one thing I dont like, its oppos questioning why I am not giving them a putt. If I dont give it, mark the ball and be quiet!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If there is one thing I dont like, its oppos questioning why I am not giving them a putt. If I dont give it, mark the ball and be quiet!

I actually don't mind being questioned as to me that means they don't quite fully 'get it' and that would normally be to my advantage in match play.