Point of etiquette?

[louise_a]

The R&A guidelines for pace of play includes this

•Do not worry about the group behind – keep up with the group in front

 

[Franco]

I thought the same, I'm guessing at this time of year it would be some sort of 4BBB comp. Hence my comment above about 3 ball medals.

It was an individual stableford. A last minute event as the usual New Year's Eve comp was cancelled.

 

[richart]

The R&A guidelines for pace of play includes this

•Do not worry about the group behind – keep up with the group in front

but that doesn't cover letting faster groups through. Their rules/etiquette also cover letting two balls through three and four balls, and I believe also four balls letting three balls through.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I'm of the opinion that if I'm up with play and causing no delays and its in competition then no one gets through even if I'm a 3 and they are a 2. Bounce games or roll ups then I'd consider it.

Why should you let a group through when the play isn't slow? Letting a group through causes a delay all be it small bits delay none the less which magnifies itself back through the course.

I'd ask though, a 4 ball in a comp? Is that common for many of you?

Every single comp, regardless of format, are in 4 Balls apart from Club Champs at our place.

 

[User20205]

If we'd have lost a ball then I would have, othewise if the round was moving no.

 

[Oxfordcomma]

but that doesn't cover letting faster groups through. Their rules/etiquette also cover letting two balls through three and four balls, and I believe also four balls letting three balls through.

It says "Where a group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind can play faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through".

That statement seems to support those saying that the 3-ball should come through, I'm still not convinced that this applies on a packed competition day though. If you're not the group holding up play, and you're waiting sometimes yourself, it doesn't necessarily follow does it that the 3-ball is quicker?

 

[chrisd]

I probably wouldn't call them through unless we were falling behind the group in front as they aren't really/or necessarily a faster group just because they are a 3 ball.

 

[Dellboy]

As long as I keep up with the group in front then I don't let people through, doesn't matter how many are in the group behind or who they are.
If I have to wait then so do they.

 

[louise_a]

But who is to say that the 3 ball would be any faster? if the fourball wasn't having to wait, then maybe the 3 ball wouldn't have to either.

I played in a fourball this week and we were being held up by a twoball.

 

[Ethan]

As a general rule, I don't let people through unless there is somewhere for them to go.

Just because someone politely (or impolitely) thinks they should get through doesn't mean that is the case. Politely (or impolitely, as appropriate) respond to him if it happens again.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

As long as I keep up with the group in front then I don't let people through, doesn't matter how many are in the group behind or who they are.
If I have to wait then so do they.

Although I'm in the camp that says no to letting them through (in the circumstances described by the OP) this comment disturbs me

 

[MarkE]

If there is'nt a clear hole in front you should not have to let anyone through. A 2 or 3 ball does not take precedent over a 4 ball. Obviously if there's a clear hole ahead let the following group through, irrespective of numbers.

 

[chrisd]

Although I'm in the camp that says no to letting them through (in the circumstances described by the OP) this comment disturbs me

Me too, it's quite a different position than that we expressed. At ant time we dropped, say, half a hole or shot behind I'd call them straight away

 

[Fish]

I'm of the opinion that if I'm up with play and causing no delays and its in competition then no one gets through even if I'm a 3 and they are a 2. Bounce games or roll ups then I'd consider it.

Why should you let a group through when the play isn't slow? Letting a group through causes a delay all be it small bits delay none the less which magnifies itself back through the course.

I'd ask though, a 4 ball in a comp? Is that common for many of you?

The R&A guidelines for pace of play includes this

•Do not worry about the group behind – keep up with the group in front

How do you know there's not a big gap further up the field?

but that doesn't cover letting faster groups through. Their rules/etiquette also cover letting two balls through three and four balls, and I believe also four balls letting three balls through.

I agree :thup:

I was playing the other day, we tee'd off in our 4-ball on the par5 6th hole, as the 3-ball was approaching the green on the par3 5th we gestured over to them that as soon as they were up with us they could go through, we got to our 3rd shots and they were in a position to play through, they took their 2nd shots and then we played our 3rd shots to the green, as we walked up they played their 3rd shots into the green, the only minor delay was them putting out before us, being a 3-ball they had tee'd off and gone by the time we left the green, virtually no delay whatsoever, if done correctly it's no issue at all, but, all I'm reading on here is what we generally see far too many times on the course, "they ain't comin through, were up with play!

That's not the right attitude IMO, they will be faster if they have been behind you for a couple of holes so let them go!

 

[huds1475]

Not wishing to enter the debate here, just thought I'd inform you of a refreshing take on the whole debate that I heard out on the course today.

We'd previously let a 2 ball through and the 4 ball now in front of them were in the process of doing so too. Whilst waiting in the rough on adjoining fairway (and trying to hit a 5 w into the green) I was regaled with the following...

"Have you seen these two behind us mate? Standing there with their hands on their hips, they're really p*****g me off. What are they doing in a 2 ball anyway? They want to get themselves some mates don't they. T**ssers"

Might of 'had to be there' but kept me amused for another 10 holes or so.

Happy New Year.

 

[bladeplayer]

If its our group holding you up I will let u through as soon as its possible , if im waiting to play shots or standing around , you will be staying behind until such time I lose my place on the course .. If the group ahead are holding us up & not letting us through chances are they wont let u through either ..

 

[HawkeyeMS]

If its our group holding you up I will let u through as soon as its possible , if im waiting to play shots or standing around , you will be staying behind until such time I lose my place on the course .. If the group ahead are holding us up & not letting us through chances are they wont let u through either ..

That's about the size of it for me too.

 

[louise_a]

but that doesn't cover letting faster groups through. Their rules/etiquette also cover letting two balls through three and four balls, and I believe also four balls letting three balls through.

I can find nothing that cover size of groups in the R&A guide.

 

[Ethan]

I can find nothing that cover size of groups in the R&A guide.

Size of groups, including the infamous single player having no standing, dropped out a few years back. The emphasis these days is on keeping up with the group ahead.

 

[Ian_Bristol]

Me to, if I am in a group that is waiting for the guys in front who are waiting for the guys in front of them then they can wait.