Incorrect Mate

[Crazyface]

Not sure where to post this:-

I've got a very good golf mate, plays off seven (and 67) and who things he knows the rules and many many times has held court after games telling all who will listen about situations he's had, in match play usually, about players not following rules. Well the rules as he understands them. The latest ones were about players not telling others on the tee what ball they are using and in a doubles match, players changing the type of ball on the next tee. Thing is, the people he is telling never pull him up, well he's very convincing. How can I tell him is wrong without hissing him off?

 

[Bratty]

I doubt you can, but doing it without an audience would potentially help.
Maybe try the old, "oh, I always thought it was xxxx" and then both take a look together to the rules book if needed.
Has anyone ever spoken to him about it before now, and if so, are they still with us! ?
You may be worrying over nothing.

 

[Deleted member 23270]

First off, what did he actually say so someone can verify if he is right or wrong?

 

[Dando]

Just laugh at him

 

[Crazyface]

He's a good mate and a great bloke to play golf with, full of stories and anecdotes. It's just his lack of knowledge over rules, and actually I've just realised, those who he confronts on these issues. Does anyone bother to find out the rules anymore? Apart from on here obviously.

 

[IanM]

Hand him a Rule Book and say, "I'm sure you're right, can you show me the Rule?"?

 

[rulefan]

The latest ones were about players not telling others on the tee what ball they are using and in a doubles match, players changing the type of ball on the next tee. Thing is, the people he is telling never pull him up, well he's very convincing. How can I tell him is wrong without hissing him off?

It's not clear to me if he is telling others that they must tell their opponent what ball they are playing or that they don't need to.

 

[salfordlad]

Try this: "you suggested the rules say this.....; however here is the relevant rule in the book - it actually says something different." Rome wasn't built in a day and endless patience is required when explaining rules to the majority of club golfers.

 

[rulefan]

Try this: "you suggested the rules say this.....; however here is the relevant rule in the book - it actually says something different." Rome wasn't built in a day and endless patience is required when explaining rules to the majority of club golfers.

In this case do the rules actually say anything?

 

[salfordlad]

In this case do the rules actually say anything?

Mine was a general suggested approach to dealing with the closing question in Crazyface's post #1 - I was not referring to any specific case.

 

[Deleted member 23270]

Mine was a general suggested approach to dealing with the closing question in Crazyface's post #1 - I was not referring to any specific case.

Just as well really seeing as CF hasn't actually told us what the problem is

 

[Blue in Munich]

Just as well really seeing as CF hasn't actually told us what the problem is

Could the problem be in your response...

 

[Oddsocks]

If he’s a good mate I’d rib the hell out of him in private and suggest the rules have moved on over time and he may need a refresher course.

A good “ mate “ would take the ribbing in the way it’s intended.

 

[Slab]

If he’s a good mate I’d rib the hell out of him in private and suggest the rules have moved on over time and he may need a refresher course.

A good “ mate “ would take the ribbing in the way it’s intended.

Yeah CF should go with the above

I've a mate who's a wee bit similar to the one described in the OP (good rules knowledge, just a few years out of date) and I wouldn't call him out until it mattered
I've also a 'good' mate that would get the wee ripped out of him if he came out with the same out of date twaddle

 

[Oddsocks]

If he’s someone that prides himself on the rules then he will want to brush up anyway.

 

[salfordlad]

Yeah CF should go with the above

I've a mate who's a wee bit similar to the one described in the OP (good rules knowledge, just a few years out of date) and I wouldn't call him out until it mattered
I've also a 'good' mate that would get the wee ripped out of him if he came out with the same out of date twaddle

If he's misunderstanding the current rules I think it matters. I don't see it as "calling him out", just a harmless discussion that says I don't think that's right, let's check it in the book. The extent of rules misunderstanding out there is simply staggering and I think those of us that can help correct that should take the opportunities that may arise to help.

 

[Slab]

If he's misunderstanding the current rules I think it matters. I don't see it as "calling him out", just a harmless discussion that says I don't think that's right, let's check it in the book. The extent of rules misunderstanding out there is simply staggering and I think those of us that can help correct that should take the opportunities that may arise to help.

I get what you’re saying but I don’t see it fitting into a real life situation quite as easily as that

As described in the OP then during a post round group chat in the bar while he regales with tales of situations he's had is not really the time to offer to check in the rule book
Seeing him on the putting green a week later is gonna seem weird to bring it up too without somehow engineering a conversation back to his misunderstanding
Equally if I bump into him in tesco the next day I can hardly refer back to the matter, ok that one's a bit daft

When I think back to the chats we have post round I just don't see it being the appropriate time where he'll be willing to refer to the rule book unless it directly relates to a real incident that I'm involved with i.e meaning it actually matters
The only way it might work is to call him on his waffle and bet him a pint he's wrong

 

[salfordlad]

I get what you’re saying but I don’t see it fitting into a real life situation quite as easily as that

As described in the OP then during a post round group chat in the bar while he regales with tales of situations he's had is not really the time to offer to check in the rule book
Seeing him on the putting green a week later is gonna seem weird to bring it up too without somehow engineering a conversation back to his misunderstanding
Equally if I bump into him in tesco the next day I can hardly refer back to the matter, ok that one's a bit daft

When I think back to the chats we have post round I just don't see it being the appropriate time where he'll be willing to refer to the rule book unless it directly relates to a real incident that I'm involved with i.e meaning it actually matters
The only way it might work is to call him on his waffle and bet him a pint he's wrong

Whatever works for you. I know I can't sit there being regaled by someone peddling bullxxxx.

 

[Crazyface]

I get what you’re saying but I don’t see it fitting into a real life situation quite as easily as that

As described in the OP then during a post round group chat in the bar while he regales with tales of situations he's had is not really the time to offer to check in the rule book
Seeing him on the putting green a week later is gonna seem weird to bring it up too without somehow engineering a conversation back to his misunderstanding
Equally if I bump into him in tesco the next day I can hardly refer back to the matter, ok that one's a bit daft

When I think back to the chats we have post round I just don't see it being the appropriate time where he'll be willing to refer to the rule book unless it directly relates to a real incident that I'm involved with i.e meaning it actually matters
The only way it might work is to call him on his waffle and bet him a pint he's wrong

You have hit the ball squarely at the back. Great reply.

 

[Deleted member 30522]

He's a good mate and a great bloke to play golf with, full of stories and anecdotes. It's just his lack of knowledge over rules, and actually I've just realised, those who he confronts on these issues. Does anyone bother to find out the rules anymore? Apart from on here obviously.

The Rules of Golf FB Page and USGA Rules FB page are both excellent and far busier than on here. Couple of really knowledgeable posters.