Playing through a comp

[dufferman]

I played on Saturday behind a 4 ball who, after 4 hours, had only made it to the 14th hole. I called the clubhouse to get a marshall out, as there was 2 visible holes clear ahead, and we had been waiting 10 minutes on the tee with other groups in hot persuit.

The marshal came to us and said it was a final of a comp so, basically, we had to suck it up. We then said why won't they let us play through, to which we were told 'They aren't allowed to let you play through because its a comp'.

Is this right or just someone being a bit of a... idiot?

 

[Rooter]

I have heard that before, never looked into the answer though. cant see why it would be against any "rules" may be more of an etiquette thing as they are in a comp?

 

[pbrown7582]

IMO old wives tale one of those urban myths that people cling too. Nothing in the rules.
It may possibly be a club rule but if there amongst the Saturday tee times as a 4 ball what do they expect.
Maybe the tee should of been closed off 20/30 mins either side?

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Just because they are playing in a comp doesn't mean you cant play through them. I can only imagine they are given priority on the course and if that is the case then the tee should have been closed after them for 20-30 mins. Even if they are in a comp its still their duty to keep up with the group in front not just ahead of the group behind.

 

[dufferman]

I thought as much. It's a course that I have only played a handful of times and wasn't impressed over the weekend for this reason and a few others too.

Good to know if it happens in the future though.

 

[CMAC]

I played on Saturday behind a 4 ball who, after 4 hours, had only made it to the 14th hole. I called the clubhouse to get a marshall out, as there was 2 visible holes clear ahead, and we had been waiting 10 minutes on the tee with other groups in hot persuit.

The marshal came to us and said it was a final of a comp so, basically, we had to suck it up. We then said why won't they let us play through, to which we were told 'They aren't allowed to let you play through because its a comp'.

Is this right or just someone being a bit of a... idiot?

did you ask the marshal to show you the rule? think the Marshal needs to go back on the marshal training course

 

[Foxholer]

Depends what the Marshall meant by 'comp'.

If it was really simply a Medal etc, then there should be no difference to normal play - let faster players through.

If, however, it was the Final of a Match, then there's often an allowance made by the Club - though if I was plying in it, I'd sooner not have other groups stacking behind, so would let faster groups through.

Societies and Team Matches are also given a little more leeway, as there's often catering requirements to be considered. Having a bunch of club groups in amongst them can throw timing out considerably. - though that's not a very 'member-friendly' approach.

Waiting until the 14th seems rather 'over-patient' imo, though maybe that's the first point at which the gap can be seen. If it seems significantly slower than normal, with no obvious reason, the sooner Marshals are involved, the better imo.

 

[dufferman]

Depends what the Marshall meant by 'comp'.

If it was really simply a Medal etc, then there should be no difference to normal play - let faster players through.

If, however, it was the Final of a Match, then there's often an allowance made by the Club - though if I was plying in it, I'd sooner not have other groups stacking behind, so would let faster groups through.

Societies and Team Matches are also given a little more leeway, as there's often catering requirements to be considered. Having a bunch of club groups in amongst them can throw timing out considerably. - though that's not a very 'member-friendly' approach.

Waiting until the 14th seems rather 'over-patient' imo, though maybe that's the first point at which the gap can be seen. If it seems significantly slower than normal, with no obvious reason, the sooner Marshals are involved, the better imo.

Correct - 14th was the 1st time we could see a clear 2 hole gap. Plus the group behind caught up and we waited 10 mins on tee.

It was a 'final' - that's all we were told!

 

[Matty]

IMO, I think the excuse of it being a competition is very poor. There is no reason they can't let you play through, it's not going to affect their game at all. I think it's just a consequence of us never seeing pros play through on TV.

The course should have let you know at booking and teeing off if there was a competition round in front of you and that you would not be allowed to play through. I would also be spending my money elsewhere in the future!

 

[mashleyR7]

I had almost the opposite on Saturday. I was playing at an away course in a matchplay comp. The course runs tee bookings times and we were out at 11:10, right behind two fours balls. We were a two. We let them go ahead as long as we could as we knew we'd be up behind them pretty quickly. We we caught them up it was the par 3 4th. We waited with one four ball on the tee while the other putted out, no to my mind the etiquette is that you let quicker players/groups through so we were surprised to be made to wait by them, for the remainder of the round, 5 hours in the end!!

In your case if it was a comp final and their is a local rule you should of been made aware of it and then you may have chosen to hang back on the first or go out a little later.

Also if you knew it was a comp you may have been acted differently and been a bit more patient. You wouldn't want to knowingly put anyone off by playing up them.

 

[Imurg]

The old excuse "we're playing a Match" or in this case playing a final annoys the hell out of me.
Unless there is a Club rule to allow them precedence, if they're holding up the course they should get their butts out of the way!!

 

[JezzE]

The old excuse "we're playing a Match" or in this case playing a final annoys the hell out of me.
Unless there is a Club rule to allow them precedence, if they're holding up the course they should get their butts out of the way!!

Never thought I'd say this, Imurg, but thoroughly agree with you on this one!

Load of outdated tosh as far as I'm concerned. On the opposite side of the fence, I've played with people before who have tried to barge through groups ahead using this excuse, and cowered well away to the side in embarrassment as heckles rise.

As for the OP, the only thing that should dictate being waved through is if the group ahead has lost ground regardless of whether they're in a comp...