Lost ball "sportsmanship"

[sona]

When you beat him do you want to be thinking, "well I won fair and square," or "I won but maybe I should have looked..."?

And equally, do you want him telling other members in the club that "you won but...."

I know which I prefer but each to there own.

I agree, matter of personal integrity.

 

[garyinderry]

Is the right answer.

A friend of mine's Dad was playing a match once against a guy from the club who he had never played with but knew many people who had and didn't want to play with him again (which says a lot). Anyway, my mate's Dad hit his ball into the trees and they both went to look for it. Once they had got to what my mates Dad thought was 5 minutes he told the guy to stop looking.

What happened next is the single most shocking bit of sportsmanship I have ever heard in any sport.

The fella, bends down and picks ip my mates Dad's "lost" ball and gives it back to him as he'd already found it but didn't say anything.

Needless to say, my mates Dad walked off the course there and then.

shocking stuff :angry:

 

[Matty]

You look for it likes it's your own until you realise the other guy isn't doing the same - then you expend that same effort as him.

As others have said, sometimes finding the ball for your competitor, when it's buried deep in the jungle, can be worse for them than a penalty of stroke and distance.

You are likely to win that hole anyway if they are well off the fairway and you've hit a fairway so play the game fairly and win with honour.

 

[BretbyBlue]

I would spend the full time, as I would want to win or lose, fairly and squarely.
However. I played a match against a player from my previous club, who was a +3 handicap and in the England 'A' team squad, essentially the level below the Elite. He told me that they were "advised " during England training sessions not to look in the right area for an opponents golf ball. I was totally horrified this took place. He was in complete agreement that it was not the way to play, and knowing him I know he wouldn't do that. Win at all costs? You bet.

 

[steve7]

look for it as it if was your own.

 

[kevinmarkham]

Wrong that you even asked the question.

You look for it as if it was your own ball.

+1 for me

 

[alnecosse]

I play with a guy who when your winning will always help look for your ball, but unfortunately hes always 30 yds from where it went into the long stuff.

 

[harvey4banger]

Had this in an away league match last year, my drive was a bit off the right handside of the fairway near some tree's, I said to the guy who I was playing, I'll hit a provisional, he said, no it's OK it's nice and open in there. Get there, loads of thick rough and the guy just walked off, couldnt go back to the tee because there was a ladies match behind , lost 2 and 1

 

[Shanks a lot!]

I always help search for the ball as I would my own. If i'm going to win i'd prefer to do it the right way and hold my head high, rather than give the other guys an excuse!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Had this in an away league match last year, my drive was a bit off the right handside of the fairway near some tree's, I said to the guy who I was playing, I'll hit a provisional, he said, no it's OK it's nice and open in there. Get there, loads of thick rough and the guy just walked off, couldnt go back to the tee because there was a ladies match behind , lost 2 and 1

Your ball is your responsibility, if you aren't sure hit a provisional.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As OS says alot depends on the tone of the game realy , early doors id look as if it were my own & expect the same in return , if he was been a bit of a tit or there were some crappy nonscence going on through the round , i wouldnt even walk over let alone look , my opinion , lets have a friendly & fair match in which the best will win , if thats not what ya want look for your own ball & keep stum .. im easy either way ..

Think this is pretty much my take. Forum meets in particular its about the day and not the winning so I'll always help as though it were my own. Club matches, comps etc I'll start off in exactly the same manner and be willing to help on any hole. It is very rare that I get anyone not at least giving a passing interest in searching and so it isn't usually a problem.

As for looking in a match. Damn right. If you are going to declare it a provisional then I'll have a look for the original if I can. As others have said - if its in the rules its not unsporting