Playing on course before match play tie

[Fraz]

More just double checking as i believe it is ok... Am i right in saying that it is ok to play on the course before a matchplay tie? I know strokeplay it is not allowed.

Reason being I have my semi final tie for the club handicap champs on Sunday and it's not till 11am. Im always up early so thought it would be good to play a handful of holes to get warmed up and up to speed before the tie. (I have turned into a back 9 golfer recently, not starting to do anything decent till i am on the 5th or 6th!)

Thanks on advance

 

[louise_a]

Yes, its fine to play the course before a matchplay game.

 

[Fraz]

Yes, its fine to play the course before a matchplay game.

Thanks Louise, much appreciated!

 

[pbrown7582]

You are correct you can play a few holes or even a full round before a matchplay tie but nothing before a stroke play comp.
Good luck with the semi.

 

[Colin L]

Just make sure your Committee has not made a condition of competition prohibiting practice on the course before the match.

 

[Foxholer]

And, imo, it wouldn't be a bad idea to mention what you are going to do to your opponent.

He may or may not wish/decide to do the same.

 

[CMAC]

And, imo, it wouldn't be a bad idea to mention what you are going to do to your opponent.

He may or may not wish/decide to do the same.

... dont see the logic or relevance to that, you could be accused of gamesmanship. Oppo knows the rules as well and if he doesn't then ignorance is no excuse.

 

[Foxholer]

... dont see the logic or relevance to that, you could be accused of gamesmanship. Oppo knows the rules as well and if he doesn't then ignorance is no excuse.

Same could be said the other way around and a couple of the instances I observed caused considerably more problems because of it.

I've been in the position a couple of times to either practice before a match (actually regular pre-work practice with a post-work match) or be collared to participate having played beforehand. I've always been open about what I've done/intended to do and there's been no issues.

Agree, it's not required, but a little communication can be helpful at times.

 

[pbrown7582]

Same could be said the other way around and a couple of the instances I observed caused considerably more problems because of it.

I've been in the position a couple of times to either practice before a match (actually regular pre-work practice with a post-work match) or be collared to participate having played beforehand. I've always been open about what I've done/intended to do and there's been no issues.

Agree, it's not required, but a little communication can be helpful at times.

i agree it might be worth mentioning, seem to remember someone having aggrivation for turning up unannounced with a caddy for a similar event last year. No requirement needed but a possible way to avoid an unhealthy atmosphere at the start of the match.

 

[CMAC]

well I know what I would think if my opponent calls me up out the blue just to tell me "he's going to practice on the course prior to our match...."

 

[Foxholer]

well I know what I would think if my opponent calls me up out the blue just to tell me "he's going to practice on the course prior to our match...."

I certainly wouldn't do that - and that's not what I was proposing.

Of the couple of times I've been involved, one was where a match was to be confirmed during the day, so I mentioned that I wasn't going to alter my usual pre-work practice that involved a few holes; the other where I'd played most of the course and was grabbed as a replacement for an injured participant. I simply made sure that it was known that I'd already been out.

No gamesmanship involved, simply courtesy.

 

[duncan mackie]

... dont see the logic or relevance to that, you could be accused of gamesmanship. Oppo knows the rules as well and if he doesn't then ignorance is no excuse.

I would tend to agree with this view.

If I bumped into the guy prior to the day and the subject of 'when would I be arriving?' came up then I would mention that I would be early an might get a few holes in to warm up etc but I wouldn't make a point of raising the issue at any point prior to, or during, the match.

For an early game I will practice putt the 18th (near the practice putting green) rather than the putting green and the 9th if clear (on the way to the 1st tee), and might even play a few chips too ....