Refereeing Matches

[backwoodsman]

A bit of guidance please...

What is the role of a referee in matchplay? Do they just play a passive role - and basically just adjudicate on rules queries? Or do they play a more active role - by which I mean do they, or should they, draw attention to rules have been broken, or perhaps alert players who may be just about to break a rule.

A simple "for instance", something like... Players ball is in longish grass - player is just about to pick up the ball to identify it without first marking it. The referee is being observant as they should be. Which of the following would be the correct action for the referee

a) Warn the player he'll incur a penalty if he picks it up without marking it.?
b) Just see what player does; if he does actually pick it up without marking, then tell the player he's just broken a rule
c) Do neither of above but if player asks "can I pick it up to see if it's mine?", tell the player the correct procedure

Is it the case that spotting & pointing out penalties is the responsibility of the opponent rather than the referee?

 

[FairwayDodger]

I believe they should be entirely passive until asked for a ruling by a player.

 

[pogle]

The R&A produce a manual "Guidance on Running a Competition". Chapter 7 gives details of the duties of a referee.

See http://www.randa.org/Guidance-on-Ru...les/7-Duties-of-a-Referee/SubRules/2-Referees

Edit : For your example I would warn the player he is about to incur a penalty. This is fine so long as you do the same for all players.

However, a referee can only intervene in a match play event (except in very specific circumstances) if they are accompanying the match. If they are acting as roving referees then they can't actively intervene.

 

[Colin L]

A bit of guidance please...

What is the role of a referee in matchplay? Do they just play a passive role - and basically just adjudicate on rules queries? Or do they play a more active role - by which I mean do they, or should they, draw attention to rules have been broken, or perhaps alert players who may be just about to break a rule.

A simple "for instance", something like... Players ball is in longish grass - player is just about to pick up the ball to identify it without first marking it. The referee is being observant as they should be. Which of the following would be the correct action for the referee

a) Warn the player he'll incur a penalty if he picks it up without marking it.?
b) Just see what player does; if he does actually pick it up without marking, then tell the player he's just broken a rule
c) Do neither of above but if player asks "can I pick it up to see if it's mine?", tell the player the correct procedure

Is it the case that spotting & pointing out penalties is the responsibility of the opponent rather than the referee?

It depends on whether the referee is assigned to a particular match or is in a roving capacity. If assigned he should intervene to prevent players breaching the rules and act on any breach of the rules he observes. If roving he must not intervene unless asked by a player other than regarding Rules 1-3, 6-7 or 33-7. (see Definition of Referee)

 

[backwoodsman]

It will be referees who are assigned to a specific match.

 

[rulefan]

It will be referees who are assigned to a specific match.

In that case a) will apply.

From the link above.
This raises the question of the referee’s ethical position when he sees a player about to break the Rules.
The referee is not responsible for a player’s wilful breach of the Rules, but he certainly does have an
obligation to advise players about the Rules. It would be contrary to the spirit of fair play if a referee
failed to inform a player of his rights and obligations under the Rules and then penalised him for a breach that he could have prevented.
The referee who tries to help players to avoid breaches of the Rules cannot be accused of favouring one player against the other, since he would act in the same manner towards any player and is, therefore, performing his duties impartially.