Playing to incorrect hole location - what would you do.

[Papas1982]

A question for all those who think it should a half. If the hole hadn't been moved, player A hits a shot in to about 4 feet and then player B skulls his shot that slams into the flag and drops in, would you expect A to be given his putt?

Yes I would.

I dont really care care how the shots got there. If a had cuffed to the back and b had played a good shot but a little short (ending in luck).

My my thoughts are simply that neither of us could have realistically played the hole. So let's just knock it off the list and move on. I get some may have differing views and if it was the 18th of a championship then I could see the temptation. But on the first. I'd certainly hope that halves were given simply to keep the game in good spirits.

During ryder cups more than generous putts are given and we praise the fair play. Think it's part of matchplay.

Stroke play it it would be tough luck.

 

[S17er]

A question for all those who think it should a half. If the hole hadn't been moved, player A hits a shot in to about 4 feet and then player B skulls his shot that slams into the flag and drops in, would you expect A to be given his putt?

No. Don't think the two situations are comparable.

Interesting to see the divided opinions on my initial post.

 

[Smiffy]

As it was the first hole I would have settled for a half.
If it had been the last hole and the outcome was for a win, I'd have called tough titty.

 

[ManinBlack]

Sorry, but it's just tough luck. Still maintain there was only annoyance because there was a duffed shot which ended up near the hole.

BTW, I gave putts in the semi final match I played yesterday so I do do it.

In situations like this I always think "what would I do?" If I had been player B I'm pretty sure I would have offered a half. Perhaps I'm too soft but I wouldn't have enjoyed the atmosphere for the rest of the round &, for me, the enjoyment is way more important than the result.

 

[patricks148]

half would be my take on the situation.

 

[doublebogey7]

My take for what it is worth, a player should never expect a put to be conceded and so A should never have asked for a half. By asking he made B feel forced into doing the right thing rather than doing it voluntarily. If A had not asked B may have conceded we will never know. Always best not to ask as you can only be disappointed.

 

[Simbo]

I certainly wouldnt have asked for a half, but I would have given one in that situation. I'd have taken it if offered. Iv played a clanger and he's hit a good shot to a dodgy pin, cmon we play for fun, we aren't pros, I feel fairly confident in my game that I could peg him back in the next 17 holes without having to go into the clubhouse feeling like a complete clown because I took a hole like the first.
Depends what level yo play at and what type of person you are, Iv seen things like this happening at team level and tbh it's not an enjoyable situation to be in.

 

[richart]

half would be my take on the situation.

and me. I personally could not win a hole under these circumstances.

 

[Lazkir]

Half. It's just the decent thing to do.

I played a match two years ago, on our 14th we both forgot I had a shot on a hole and I picked up from three feet when I could have putted out for half. My opponent very decently offered me the half, but as it was my own stupidity I refused. Good match played in the proper manner.
I would never have felt right if I'd have won by a single shot as a result of that mistake. It's just a game!

 

[S17er]

I spoke to Player A at the weekend who said he had suggested halving the hole buy Player B had responded that he thought they should finish the hole.

Think Player B would probably have agreed to that if both balls in middle of green but fact he had a tap in birdie and Player A was 60ft away probably influenced his decision.

Needless to say the atmosphere for the rest of the round was frosty!

For me, there were 17 more holes to have a fair match rather than to take an unsporting advantage on hole 1.

Probably shot himself in the foot by making Player A more determined to win.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I spoke to Player A at the weekend who said he had suggested halving the hole buy Player B had responded that he thought they should finish the hole.

Think Player B would probably have agreed to that if both balls in middle of green but fact he had a tap in birdie and Player A was 60ft away probably influenced his decision.

Needless to say the atmosphere for the rest of the round was frosty!

For me, there were 17 more holes to have a fair match rather than to take an unsporting advantage on hole 1.

Probably shot himself in the foot by making Player A more determined to win.

There was no need for a frosty atmosphere. Player A should have accepted his bad luck for what it was and got on with it.

 

[chellie]

There was no need for a frosty atmosphere. Player A should have accepted his bad luck for what it was and got on with it.

Agree with this.

 

[SaintHacker]

There was no need for a frosty atmosphere. Player A should have accepted his bad luck for what it was and got on with it.

Its not bad luck, its unsporting behaviour. If your football team conceded a goal from a pass back after a stoppage for injury wouldn't you expect the other team to let you level it up? Same thing applies here.
Personally I would offer the half straight away

 

[londonlewis]

Match play first hole par 5.

Both players about 90 yards short in two.

Flag at back of green.

Player A hits a good shot next to flag but Player B duffs it and just trickles on to front of green.

When both players get to green they see that some kids have stuck the flag into the green at the very back but the actual hole is at the front next to Player B's duffed shot.

Player A suggests picking up and halving but Player B insists on playing out the hole and taps in for birdie to go one up.

There is no way I could have done what Player B did but wonder if anyone thinks that is reasonable behaviour?

If player B had luckily holed out for an eagle, what would you expect the response to be from player A?

I would like to think I'd have recommended we replay the hole or a half would have been fine.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Its not bad luck, its unsporting behaviour. If your football team conceded a goal from a pass back after a stoppage for injury wouldn't you expect the other team to let you level it up? Same thing applies here.
Personally I would offer the half straight away

Of course it's bad luck, just like hitting a tree and rebounding into the fairway (or onto the green). You can't expect a hole to be halved every time a bit of luck is involved. Golf is a game of good and bad bounces.

That said I think my main issue with this situation is Player A asking for a half. If player B had willingly offered then so be it, but if not Player A should have kept his mouth shut and got on with it

 

[patricks148]

Of course it's bad luck, just like hitting a tree and rebounding into the fairway (or onto the green). You can't expect a hole to be halved every time a bit of luck is involved. Golf is a game of good and bad bounces.

That said I think my main issue with this situation is Player A asking for a half. If player B had willingly offered then so be it, but if not Player A should have kept his mouth shut and got on with it

i wouldn't just say its bad luck, someone had deliberately tampered with the hole location making them play to a different part of the green.

 

[ManinBlack]

just like hitting a tree and rebounding into the fairway

Nothing like hitting a tree & rebounding into the fairway - really bad analogy. I'll say again, the test is "what would I have done in player B's shoes" & "what would I consider to be the way I would expect player A to behave" The answer tells you a lot about yourself. I can honestly say that I would have offered a half immediately. Don't think I'd have asked for one but my opinion of player A would have been changed, unless I already thought he was a tosser, that is.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Nothing like hitting a tree & rebounding into the fairway - really bad analogy. I'll say again, the test is "what would I have done in player B's shoes" & "what would I consider to be the way I would expect player A to behave" The answer tells you a lot about yourself. I can honestly say that I would have offered a half immediately. Don't think I'd have asked for one but my opinion of player A would have been changed, unless I already thought he was a tosser, that is.

I would have offered a half but it's not for Player A to decide and if he'd have asked, I might well have declined (possibly).

In that situation the only person who should be bringing up the talk of a half is Player B. A should have got in with it

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would have offered a half but it's not for Player A to decide and if he'd have asked, I might well have declined (possibly).

In that situation the only person who should be bringing up the talk of a half is Player B. A should have got in with it

Can't argue with that and as you've said Player A shouldn't be asking, and expecting a half. However player B should have used common sense, sporting behaviour or whatever you want to call it and offered it, being the first. I wonder how player B feels now, after the frosty attitude between both players for the rest of the game and having lost (possibly by firing player A up even more)

 

[ScienceBoy]

In these situations it's always best to play out the hole and consult a rules official as soon as possible, usually straight after the round, before cards are signed.

Waste of energy to get in a huff over it out on the course when there is already a mechanism for dealing with queries.