Picking up

torchy

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May 22, 2009
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Can someone please tell me under which rule can I pick up my ball if I cannot score stableford points. I know we should avoid slow play (rule 6.7) but rule 3.2 says I should hole out or be disqualified. Is it an unwritten rule?
 
This rule refers to stroke play not stableford, although you must hole out in stableford to claim the points no gimmies.

When you have gone beyond the point of scoring in stableford e.g more that double bogey taking in to account your shots thats when you pick up.
 
Its pretty logical if you think about it, its a points scoring comp, if you take more shots on a hole than will give you a score, why would you be disqualified for not scoring and picking your ball up, all that matters is what points you score not what you dont score?

It just improves the pace of play and prevents frustrations,not just of opponants but sometimes team partners, depending on format.
 
Played in an outing last weekend where we played stableford format. We still had folks playing out for 7s & 8s at some of the holes. With these scores they were not scoring any points. If you're not scoring points then pick it up, I'd rather pick up on a bad hole than have a 7 or 8 fester in my mind on the way to the next tee.
 
Guys, I'm not arguing the logic, I agree with everything said here but can someone please refer me to the rule which clearly says I should pick up.
 
Guys, I'm not arguing the logic, I agree with everything said here but can someone please refer me to the rule which clearly says I should pick up.

Rule 32.1 b

b. Stableford Competitions
The scoring in Stableford competitions is made by points awarded in relation to a fixed score at each hole as follows:
More than one over fixed score or no score returned - 0 points
One over fixed score - 1 point
Fixed score - 2 points
One under fixed score - 3 points
Two under fixed score - 4 points

Quite clearly the rule says no points for more than one over fixed score or for picking up - so therefore it is implicit that you can pick up
 
I know you should pick up if you cant score but....I can understand why people who have paid to play in the competition would want to play the whole course and finish each hole for their own satisfaction.
When I play in pro-ams, I see this alot and as long as we keep up with the group in front, I never tell people to pick up, I let them finish the hole. :)
 
Here's the rule, like machplay, if the other guy is in the hole in three and you're not, you can pick up as you've lost the hole. If you're outside scoring any points you can pick up.

But, if you're in a club competition you might need to hole out and record your score for HC porposes.

If you want to find it in a book then go find it.
 
I know you should pick up if you cant score but....I can understand why people who have paid to play in the competition would want to play the whole course and finish each hole for their own satisfaction.
When I play in pro-ams, I see this alot and as long as we keep up with the group in front, I never tell people to pick up, I let them finish the hole. :)

Hooray!

I haven't picked up in years. Then again, by the time I'm looking at nil points, I'm 95% likely to have just missed for double, nett bogey. We have a par 5 at mine where I don't get a stroke, so I have to make a 6 for one point. If it's all gone wrong, and I'm on for 5 and miss for a 6, I still want to make a 7......a 7 on a par 5 is better than blobbing and thinking I "might have made a 7" when it comes to working out my gross score.

I try hard to avoid doubles, and frequently do manage a double-free round (you see, I'm not that bad really).
 
Guys, I'm not arguing the logic, I agree with everything said here but can someone please refer me to the rule which clearly says I should pick up.

Rule 32.1 b

b. Stableford Competitions
The scoring in Stableford competitions is made by points awarded in relation to a fixed score at each hole as follows:
More than one over fixed score or no score returned - 0 points
One over fixed score - 1 point
Fixed score - 2 points
One under fixed score - 3 points
Two under fixed score - 4 points

Quite clearly the rule says no points for more than one over fixed score or for picking up - so therefore it is implicit that you can pick up

Thanks backwoodsman. Although I can't see the phrase "picking up" in Rule 32.1 b, it is clearly implied. So in a Stableford competition, we all follow a rule that is implied, and that overrides the written rule 3.2 which says we need to hole out. That's cleared it up for me :D
 
Thanks backwoodsman. Although I can't see the phrase "picking up" in Rule 32.1 b, it is clearly implied. So in a Stableford competition, we all follow a rule that is implied, and that overrides the written rule 3.2 which says we need to hole out. That's cleared it up for me :D

Yeah - I realised after I'd posted that I'd used the wrong phrase. Ho hum, but the implication is there, so fair's fair
 
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