Order of Play on Tee - Matchplay

[Jimbof]

An interesting situation arose in a recent matchplay round (it was inter-club, but that's not really relevant). One player insisted on teeing off second on every hole regardless of whether she had won the previous hole - i.e. after winning a hole, she insisted on teeing off second on the next hole. The opponent, not really knowing the rules sufficiently, continued play, teeing off first on each hole.

Rule 6.4a(1) states that the player and opponent must play in this order.....

then specifies that the honour on the tee goes to the player who wins the previous hole (or the last hole won if subsequent holes are halved).

However, there doesn't appear to be a specific penalty within that rule (other than the ability to recall a shot played out of turn). It could come under 1.2 - Committing Serious Misconduct - 'Deliberately not playing in accordance with the rules and potentially gaining a significant advantage, perhaps?

 

[clubchamp98]

An interesting situation arose in a recent matchplay round (it was inter-club, but that's not really relevant). One player insisted on teeing off second on every hole regardless of whether she had won the previous hole - i.e. after winning a hole, she insisted on teeing off second on the next hole. The opponent, not really knowing the rules sufficiently, continued play, teeing off first on each hole.

Rule 6.4a(1) states that the player and opponent must play in this order.....

then specifies that the honour on the tee goes to the player who wins the previous hole (or the last hole won if subsequent holes are halved).

However, there doesn't appear to be a specific penalty within that rule (other than the ability to recall a shot played out of turn). It could come under 1.2 - Committing Serious Misconduct - 'Deliberately not playing in accordance with the rules and potentially gaining a significant advantage, perhaps?

It pays to know the rules !
She should have just said “ no”

 

[backwoodsman]

Interesting.

In that if you win a hole, you have the 'honour'. But the 'honour' is only the 'right' to play first. It isnt a requirement that you must play first? So, I'm not really sure how this works out if both players decline to play first on any given hole?

 

[Steven Rules]

While the Definitions describe the honour as a 'right', the preamble to Rule 6.4 states that in match play the order of play is fundamental. Rule 6.4a(1) requires that the player and opponent must play in the correct order.

If the player with the honour is insisting on teeing off second, the opponent would have every right to tell the player with the honour to just get on with it.

If the player with the honour continues to insist on playing second, then obviously a standoff would develop. The player refusing to tee off in accordance with the honour would then be falling foul of the unreasonable delay provisions of 5.6a. First breach - one penalty stroke. Second breach - loss of hole. Third breach - disqualification.

The player insisting on hitting second regardless of the honour is presumably either looking for some sort of advantage by being able to react to the opponent's play, or just feels more comfortable playing second. Either way - use the Rules to get that player out of their comfort zone. Make them feel very uncomfortable by enforcing the Rules.

The Rules permit the player and opponent to play out of turn by agreement to save time. (Exception to Rule 6.4a) There are no other reasons for playing out of turn permitted in match play under the Rules.** Certainly, personal preference and gamesmanship are not permitted reasons for playing out of turn.

**Although, obviously, in match play a player may choose not to act on an opponent's breach as long as there is no agreement not to apply a Rule or a penalty they know applies. Rule 3.2d(4)

It's match play. If you can't stand the heat....

 

[VVega]

Isn’t it covered by 23.6? “Partners may play in the order the side considers best”?

 

[Steven Rules]

Not applicable here. There was no indication in #1 that the format was four-ball.

 

[VVega]

Not applicable here. There was no indication in #1 that the format was four-ball

My mistake, assumed it was a 4-ball for any dispute to arise. In singles the order of play doesn’t allow any flexibility - as the rules say it’s “fundamental”

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Interesting question…not something I’ve ever come across actually happening but can see how in a match an unscrupulous player could try and use it to their advantage…and so really good to know the ruling.

 

[Orikoru]

It pays to know the rules !
She should have just said “ no”

But they might have been happy to tee off first anyway, considering it an advantage to hit the fairway first and put pressure on the opponent?

 

[clubchamp98]

But they might have been happy to tee off first anyway, considering it an advantage to hit the fairway first and put pressure on the opponent?

Why ask on here then ?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

But they might have been happy to tee off first anyway, considering it an advantage to hit the fairway first and put pressure on the opponent?

Yeh…but remember you’ve just lost a hole so feeling negative - say you’ve just shanked a chip on the previous hole to lose it (not that that would ever happen to you ) you might want a moments pause to reset on the next tee. Anyway…the rule is good.

 

[Orikoru]

Why ask on here then ?

I figured the OP just overheard the situation and was curious about the ruling. He wasn't the one playing.

 

[Orikoru]

Yeh…but remember you’ve just lost a hole so feeling negative - say you’ve just shanked a chip on the previous hole to lose it (not that that would ever happen to you ) you might want a moments pause to reset on the next tee. Anyway…the rule is good.

Yeah. I was just speculating and adding something to the discussion really. The hole-winner is supposed to have the honour, and you can insist on them teeing off first. But if you are happy to take the honour from them, I guess there is no issue.

 

[clubchamp98]

What if both insisted on going second.

The one with the honour is forced to go first !
Players getting used to ready golf maybe?

 

[clubchamp98]

Yeah. I was just speculating and adding something to the discussion really. The hole-winner is supposed to have the honour, and you can insist on them teeing off first. But if you are happy to take the honour from them, I guess there is no issue.

Maybe rewrite the rule!
So the person with the Honour has the choice of first or second.

After all winning the previous hole gives you the honour so if that Honour means you want to go second fine.!
Choice is part of the match maybe.
Just a thought.!

 

[Orikoru]

Maybe rewrite the rule!
So the person with the Honour has the choice of first or second.

After all winning the previous hole gives you the honour so if that Honour means you want to go second fine.!
Choice is part of the match maybe.
Just a thought.!

They call it the 'honour' but I've always felt it's more beneficial to hit second. You know what you have to do that way - if the first chap carves it out of bounds, you can go extra safe and pull your hybrid out to keep it in play for example. If they stripe it then at least you know you have to pull driver and do the same. So I think your method actually gives the player too much advantage. The 'honour' concept as it stands actually keeps the match more balanced for me.

 

[clubchamp98]

They call it the 'honour' but I've always felt it's more beneficial to hit second. You know what you have to do that way - if the first chap carves it out of bounds, you can go extra safe and pull your hybrid out to keep it in play for example. If they stripe it then at least you know you have to pull driver and do the same. So I think your method actually gives the player too much advantage. The 'honour' concept as it stands actually keeps the match more balanced for me.

So the advantage for winning a hole goes to the player that lost the hole.

Can’t agree there.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

They call it the 'honour' but I've always felt it's more beneficial to hit second. You know what you have to do that way - if the first chap carves it out of bounds, you can go extra safe and pull your hybrid out to keep it in play for example. If they stripe it then at least you know you have to pull driver and do the same. So I think your method actually gives the player too much advantage. The 'honour' concept as it stands actually keeps the match more balanced for me.

Yet if you go first and smash it down the middle of the fairway or put it next to the pin the pressure is on you

Ill take going first everytime

 

[clubchamp98]

Yet if you go first and smash it down the middle of the fairway or put it next to the pin the pressure is on you

Ill take going first everytime

Me to!
But for the OP the honour might be best if they had a choice.

 

[Orikoru]

Yet if you go first and smash it down the middle of the fairway or put it next to the pin the pressure is on you

Ill take going first everytime

Very unlikely I'm going to do that though.

So the advantage for winning a hole goes to the player that lost the hole.

Can’t agree there.

Different abilities, different mindsets I think. I'd rather go second. (But not so much that I'd give away my honour in a match, haha. That would just look weak I think.)