Positioning of players in the line of your putt

[WinBase]

One of my pet hates of the course is when i'm on the putting green and a FC or opponent stands either behind you or on the 'through line' in order to gain an advantage to judge how much break for example. I dislike it because its not only 'off putting' (no pun intended) but also means they are gaining information and an advantage that you did not have, at your expense, and I always ask them to move (which they do).

I decided to look at the rule on this on the R&A site and am surprised to find that rule 14-2b prohibits your PP or caddie from doing this and penalties apply for a breach, however its perfectly permissible for an opponent, FC or presumably one of their caddies to do so within the rules, and the FAQ says that you are advised to politely ask them to refrain

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=14&subRuleNum=2

What do others think as this seems a tad skewed and unfair IMHO - the same rule should apply to both

 

[delc]

One of my pet hates of the course is when i'm on the putting green and a FC or opponent stands either behind you or on the 'through line' in order to gain an advantage to judge how much break for example. I dislike it because its not only 'off putting' (no pun intended) but also means they are gaining information and an advantage that you did not have, at your expense, and I always ask them to move (which they do).

I decided to look at the rule on this on the R&A site and am surprised to find that rule 14-2b prohibits your PP or caddie from doing this and penalties apply for a breach, however its perfectly permissible for an opponent, FC or presumably one of their caddies to do so within the rules, and the FAQ says that you are advised to politely ask them to refrain

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=14&subRuleNum=2

What do others think as this seems a tad skewed and unfair IMHO - the same rule should apply to both

Rule 14-2 is about preventing your caddie or playing partner providing assistance in making your stroke. If opponents or FC's stand close to your line that is just poor etiquette.

 

[KJT123]

Why is it poor etiquette?

 

[duncan mackie]

One of my pet hates of the course is when i'm on the putting green and a FC or opponent stands either behind you or on the 'through line' in order to gain an advantage to judge how much break for example. I dislike it because its not only 'off putting' (no pun intended) but also means they are gaining information and an advantage that you did not have, at your expense, and I always ask them to move (which they do).

I decided to look at the rule on this on the R&A site and am surprised to find that rule 14-2b prohibits your PP or caddie from doing this and penalties apply for a breach, however its perfectly permissible for an opponent, FC or presumably one of their caddies to do so within the rules, and the FAQ says that you are advised to politely ask them to refrain

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=14&subRuleNum=2

What do others think as this seems a tad skewed and unfair IMHO - the same rule should apply to both

14-2b applies to you, and is nothing to do with 'them' - it is there to prevent caddies and playing partners assisting you, and you get the penalty. As there is no reason for them to dive in afterwards, and therefore to stand in any position that may be close to a possible breach, this doesn't form a difficult ruling situation.

there are numerous situations in golf where the order in which players play may provide advantage or disadvantage - which is why there are rules about the order of play and advice.

it is almost impossible to legislate for exactly where and how close a FC or opponent stands, and if such legistlation resulted in players standing (for example) the required 2000cm from an extension to the line of putt away from the hole and anywhere the other side of the hole at all it would simple have those interested in observing the line in a running stance at that point and sprinting across as the putt was struck..........the net effect of such a rule would be -
1. huge damage to the putting surface
2. stressed putters waiting for the other players to start their sprint
3. a huge waste of time as everyone dances around the green to the tune of the person putting
4. clash between rules and etiquette - up to 3 people will have to stand somewhere that fits the rules and the player

this is why it's not ruled on (and many would argue you get more information standing at 90 degrees on the low side of a putt anyway!)

if the putts rolling long enough for a read to be relevant then the current approach of gently moving in when the putts on it's way works for 99.999% and you will be extremely unlikely to have more than 1 putt in any round on the same line as any inconsiderate player falling in the other 0.0001%; and probably more issues with them in other situations on the course.

 

[delc]

Why is it poor etiquette?

Because it is off-putting to the player taking the shot. I always ask opponents or FC's to move if they do that to me.

 

[duncan mackie]

Why is it poor etiquette?

that would be because it states under the consideration for other players section of the etiquette section of the Rules of Golf -

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

 

[KJT123]

Surely it's okay if they're standing so that it's not in the line of sight?

 

[WinBase]

Surely it's okay if they're standing so that it's not in the line of sight?

part of my post was about gaining what I consider an unfair advantage - how many times on the course do you hear players say "I cant believe how much that broke" or "I thought that would break" - if an opponent has a putt on the same line, stands exactly on that line and 'knows' what its likely to do it can put them at a significant advantage

 

[delc]

part of my post was about gaining what I consider an unfair advantage - how many times on the course do you hear players say "I cant believe how much that broke" or "I thought that would break" - if an opponent has a putt on the same line, stands exactly on that line and 'knows' what its likely to do it can put them at a significant advantage

If you always hit your approach shots inside your opponent's, he will have to putt first and show you the line. Problem solved!

 

[KJT123]

part of my post was about gaining what I consider an unfair advantage - how many times on the course do you hear players say "I cant believe how much that broke" or "I thought that would break" - if an opponent has a putt on the same line, stands exactly on that line and 'knows' what its likely to do it can put them at a significant advantage

I'm not that bothered about it. Isn't that just golf? If you hit a better shot into the green than your opponent, then you should have the advantage of being able to see what the putt will do.

 

[North Mimms]

Being the first to offer to tend the flag is one way of legally getting a look at the line of someone's putt

 

[Farneyman]

Do you have to move if someones asks you to when on the green?

For example the putt is from 12 o clock to 6 o clock and you are standing at the 7 o clock position and not on the exact line...if asked to move dfo you have to or is that covered by etiquette also?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Being the first to offer to tend the flag is one way of legally getting a look at the line of someone's putt

Cunning plan

 

[palindromicbob]

One of my pet hates of the course is when i'm on the putting green and a FC or opponent stands either behind you or on the 'through line' in order to gain an advantage to judge how much break for example. I dislike it because its not only 'off putting' (no pun intended) but also means they are gaining information and an advantage that you did not have, at your expense, and I always ask them to move (which they do).

I decided to look at the rule on this on the R&A site and am surprised to find that rule 14-2b prohibits your PP or caddie from doing this and penalties apply for a breach, however its perfectly permissible for an opponent, FC or presumably one of their caddies to do so within the rules, and the FAQ says that you are advised to politely ask them to refrain

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=14&subRuleNum=2

What do others think as this seems a tad skewed and unfair IMHO - the same rule should apply to both

part of my post was about gaining what I consider an unfair advantage - how many times on the course do you hear players say "I cant believe how much that broke" or "I thought that would break" - if an opponent has a putt on the same line, stands exactly on that line and 'knows' what its likely to do it can put them at a significant advantage

I'll not stand through or behind your line but you can be damn sure that I'll get myself into a position to watch the break the moment that ball starts rolling. Don't even need to be standing directly on line to be able to get a rough idea of the read.

The fact they may be off putting is reason enough to ask someone to move and etiquette dictates it but simply not standing on line will not stop someone being able to get a little bit of advantageous info from your putt.

 

[palindromicbob]

Do you have to move if someones asks you to when on the green?

For example the putt is from 12 o clock to 6 o clock and you are standing at the 7 o clock position and not on the exact line...if asked to move dfo you have to or is that covered by etiquette also?

Well depends if you where you are in relation to them. If someone was putting from centre of clock face to 12 and you were stood at 7 on the tip of the minute hand then I'd find it hard for the them to argue about being a distraction if you aren't fidgeting around. If I was repeatedly asked to move from positions that weren't directly online and were unlikely to actually interfere with the person purely because they thought I might be trying to get in for a quick advantageous read I'd probably ask them if they'd feel more comfortable if I simply wore a blindfold at the green.

In fact I'm the type of person that would probably get so easily frustrated by that type of thing I'd probably just concede the match and tell them to enjoy the next round. So now anyone playing me in matchplay will know my weakness. On saying that my game isn't exactly a strong point

 

[KenL]

Do you have to move if someones asks you to when on the green?

For example the putt is from 12 o clock to 6 o clock and you are standing at the 7 o clock position and not on the exact line...if asked to move dfo you have to or is that covered by etiquette also?

If someone asks you politely to move then you should move without questioning the request.

 

[Farneyman]

If someone asks you politely to move then you should move without questioning the request.

That is what I do however playing a match one evening I was asked on each of the first 3 greens to move "a little" and each time I was nowhere near the line of the putt.

I wasn't sure if it was the player trying to play "mind" games or he was just able to see everything from everywhere! After the 3rd request I simply asked him to tell me where he was going to "allow" me to stand when he was putting. It was a bit frosty for a couple of holes after that especially when I asked him to move on the next 2 greens when I was putting :rofl:

 

[Imurg]

Some people have extraordinary peripheral vision when they're supposedly concentrating on the ball...........

Looking for excuses perhaps?

 

[North Mimms]

I played a match against someone a few weeks ago who played right handed tee to green, but putted left handed.
I found it really hard to work out where to stand!

 

[delc]

I played a match against someone a few weeks ago who played right handed tee to green, but putted left handed.
I found it really hard to work out where to stand!

I have the same problem with all left-handers!