Moving ball marker off someone’s line

[Jigger]

I have a friend that always asks me to move my ball a full putter length away from the ball which, politely putting it, is a bit of a chore.

Do I have to comply or can I refuse and say I’ll mark it a couple of putter heads away and instruct him to read putts better?

 

[salfordlad]

I have a friend that always asks me to move my ball a full putter length away from the ball which, politely putting it, is a bit of a chore.

Do I have to comply or can I refuse and say I’ll mark it a couple of putter heads away and instruct him to read putts better?

This issue was discussed extensively in this thread: https://forums.golfmonthly.com/threads/marking-a-ball-on-the-green-rule-15-3.113237/

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I have a friend that always asks me to move my ball a full putter length away from the ball which, politely putting it, is a bit of a chore.

Do I have to comply or can I refuse and say I’ll mark it a couple of putter heads away and instruct him to read putts better?

Out of interest, does he ask that of everyone? Do you use a massive poker chip or similar?

Seems overly fussy and you could put it in the irritations thread.

 

[Jigger]

Out of interest, does he ask that of everyone? Do you use a massive poker chip or similar?

Seems overly fussy and you could put it in the irritations thread.

Yes. No and correct? Can’t see me getting an answer there.

 

[Jigger]

This issue was discussed extensively in this thread: https://forums.golfmonthly.com/threads/marking-a-ball-on-the-green-rule-15-3.113237/

Perfect thanks. Not sure why my search didn’t bring that up.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Yes. No and correct? Can’t see me getting an answer there.

Sorry, I didn't mean put it in there to get an answer, I meant it was worthy of going in irritations.

He must be a popular bloke to play with

 

[North Mimms]

Sorry, I didn't mean put it in there to get an answer, I meant it was worthy of going in irritations.

He must be a popular bloke to play with

A friend has had the misfortune to play a couple of knockouts against an eejit at his club who is very sensitive about "people being in his eyeline" when he putts.
My friend moved and moved until he was informed that the only acceptable position to stand was OFF the green...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

A friend has had the misfortune to play a couple of knockouts against an eejit at his club who is very sensitive about "people being in his eyeline" when he putts.
My friend moved and moved until he was informed that the only acceptable position to stand was OFF the green...

I must be an eejit then as I ask players to move if they are standing behind the hole in my line of vision….they should know to not stand there. But I’m not that sensitive to ask someone to move off the green…just move a bit round

I double down on my eejitery as I ask balls within something like 4ft of the hole to be marked and lifted when I am putting. Again it is my view that players should do that as a matter of course unless they are to putt out.

Not difficult…simple matters of courtesy given we know some might have such sensitivities. In this I honestly don‘t particularly care if someone thinks me a bit of an eejit, and it is guidance and advice I give to all new players I mentor. All about consideration for your fellow players.

 

[D-S]

I was asked at late notice to fill in on a society day to make up the numbers due to a mate being unable to play. In my four ball there was someone who always asked for the flag to be tended (this was pre 2019 rules change) but did not want the ‘attendee’ to hold the flag when he putted as it put him off, so he insisted on the ‘attendee’ standing 4 or 5 paces away, then they had to rush in to grab the flag after he struck the putt. Such an irritating palaver on every hole. If I wasn’t a stand in I would have refused to be involved but as a guest I felt I couldn’t - made for a really annoying round, how regular playing partners let him get away with it I really don’t know.

 

[Jigger]

Sorry, I didn't mean put it in there to get an answer, I meant it was worthy of going in irritations.

He must be a popular bloke to play with

He’s an interesting character. He always good for a couple of rule infractions. I get right under his skin when I tell him he can’t do something. Given we play match play pairs a lot, it’s a very useful tool.

 

[North Mimms]

I must be an eejit then as I ask players to move if they are standing behind the hole in my line of vision….they should know to not stand there. But I’m not that sensitive to ask someone to move off the green…just move a bit round

I double down on my eejitery as I ask balls within something like 4ft of the hole to be marked and lifted when I am putting. Again it is my view that players should do that as a matter of course unless they are to putt out.

Not difficult…simple matters of courtesy given we know some might have such sensitivities. In this I honestly don‘t particularly care if someone thinks me a bit of an eejit, and it is guidance and advice I give to all new players I mentor. All about consideration for your fellow players.

There's consideration and there's being an eejit.
This Eejit must have had 360 degree vision as he was put off by someone that he couldn't see but "knew where he was"

But I don't want to revive the infamous Historical Standing Position thread...

 

[KenL]

I have a friend that always asks me to move my ball a full putter length away from the ball which, politely putting it, is a bit of a chore.

Do I have to comply or can I refuse and say I’ll mark it a couple of putter heads away and instruct him to read putts better?

If you weren't playing a proper match I would tell this person that I would just putt first.
This is a ridiculous request.

 

[Jigger]

If you weren't playing a proper match I would tell this person that I would just putt first.
This is a ridiculous request.

Yep and that’s a fair point as we mainly play friendly knocks. I think I’ll only adhere to it on official comps with him.

 

[salfordlad]

If you weren't playing a proper match I would tell this person that I would just putt first.
This is a ridiculous request.

That could be sensible. In addition, if the behaviour is over the top and is repeating and the player cannot come up with a cogent reason that can be managed (eg, "that large poker chip really catches my eye"), this likely fails the "reasonably believes" guidance in Rule 15.3. A further option is to raise it with the Committee for their consideration - there are potentially Rule 15.3 and Rule 5.6 (unreasonable delay) angles here. If I am the Committee (ie refereeing), I would be asking the player questions.

 

[Jigger]

That could be sensible. In addition, if the behaviour is over the top and is repeating and the player cannot come up with a cogent reason that can be managed (eg, "that large poker chip really catches my eye"), this likely fails the "reasonably believes" guidance in Rule 15.3. A further option is to raise it with the Committee for their consideration - there are potentially Rule 15.3 and Rule 5.6 (unreasonable delay) angles here. If I am the Committee (ie refereeing), I would be asking the player questions.

Got to take into consideration that this an issue with a mate but will take an unreasonable delay clause into account thanks.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

That could be sensible. In addition, if the behaviour is over the top and is repeating and the player cannot come up with a cogent reason that can be managed (eg, "that large poker chip really catches my eye"), this likely fails the "reasonably believes" guidance in Rule 15.3. A further option is to raise it with the Committee for their consideration - there are potentially Rule 15.3 and Rule 5.6 (unreasonable delay) angles here. If I am the Committee (ie refereeing), I would be asking the player questions.

Have to say that I had a 18” putt recently where another player‘s poker chip ball marker was between my feet and my ball. I thought about asking it to be moved or for the other player to play first…but I didn’t as I thought that was being a bit fiddly. I should have. It was as if the thing was staring me in the face. I missed the putt as I was thinking more about the marker than my putt.

 

[backwoodsman]

Got to take into consideration that this an issue with a mate but will take an unreasonable delay clause into account thanks.

If he's a mate, can't you just tell him not to be a t#sser

But to reiterate a point already made ...
If its a casual/friendly game - just tell him you'll putt first.
If it's a formal strokeplay competition, just tell him you'll putt first. You're entitled to do so.
If it's a formal matchplay competition you're sort of stuck with the request - but he's a mate, so I'd still tell him he's a t#sser.

 

[Jigger]

If he's a mate, can't you just tell him not to be a t#sser

But to reiterate a point already made ...
If its a casual/friendly game - just tell him you'll putt first.
If it's a formal strokeplay competition, just tell him you'll putt first. You're entitled to do so.
If it's a formal matchplay competition you're sort of stuck with the request - but he's a mate, so I'd still tell him he's a t#sser.

He honestly wouldn’t care

It’s usually friendly match play so wouldn’t want to give him the privilege of seeing my line!

 

[Jason.H]

My playing partner uses a poker chip type marker but if he thinks it’s anywhere near someone’s line he will put down a small standard size marker
Seriously though who thought great big ball marker would be a good idea?

 

[Jason.H]

I got caught out playing with members I’d not played with before. I was +1 gross and on the 16th green one of them chipped to about 2 and a half foot from the hole. Then just stood there waiting for me to put I did, lipped out and touched the other guys ball. To which another guy who, marking my card said that’s a 2 shot penalty. So that day I learned a harsh lesson. So I always ask for a ball to be marked if it’s anywhere near. And if a marker is near my line I always get it moved in a comp.