Rules or courtesey

S

Skypilot

Assistant Pro
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
313
Location
Peterborough
Visit site
The guy I play with knows he shouldn't walk on my putting line but he's done it 2 or 3 times now.
Most noticeably a couple of months ago when, due to heavy rain, the greens were particularly soft.
I'd managed to chip my ball to around 8 ft away on a particularly difficult green, (upside down bowl)
I was really pleased as the ball had left me a straight uphill line.
Up comes my pp and, oblivious to my ball, treks right up my line leaving definite foot depressions.
I hollered at him only to be told to stop moaning and to replace my ball a few feet to the side to avoid his imprints.
I didn't do this as it would have meant going across the slope one way or another.
I missed the put though this may have been my boiling blood affecting my concentration .

He doesn't mean to do it he just has complete tunnel vision to anything except his own play.
He's just done it a couple more times in the last two weeks and gets all "what's the bloody fuss about" when I call him on it.

Is there anything in the rules about this or is it "just" bad manners?
I'm sure if there was some sort of penalty he'd pay more attention.
 
Last edited:
Skypilot said:
The guy I play with knows he shouldn't walk on my putting line but he's done it 2 or 3 times now.
Most noticeably a couple of months ago when, due to heavy rain, the greens were particularly soft.
I'd managed to chip my ball to around 8 ft away on a particularly difficult green, (upside down bowl)
I was really pleased as the ball had left me a straight uphill line.
Up comes my pp and, oblivious to my ball, treks right up my line leaving definite foot depressions.
I hollered at him only to be told to stop moaning and to replace my ball a few feet to the side to avoid his imprints.
I didn't do this as it would have meant going across the slope one way or another.
I missed the put though this may have been my boiling blood affecting my concentration .

He doesn't mean to do it he just has complete tunnel vision to anything except his own play.
He's just done it a couple more times in the last two weeks and gets all "what's the bloody fuss about" when I call him on it.

Is there anything in the rules about this or is it "just" bad manners?
I'm sure if there was some sort of penalty he'd pay more attention.
Click to expand...

No its just etiquette
 
Rule 16-1a/ Decision 13

Line of Putt Damaged Accidentally by Opponent, Fellow-Competitor or Their Caddies

Q.

An opponent, fellow-competitor or one of their caddies accidentally steps on and damages the player's line of putt. What is the ruling?

A.

There is no penalty. Rule 1-2 is not applicable as the physical conditions were not altered with the intent of affecting the playing of the hole.

In equity (Rule 1-4), the player may have the line of putt restored to its original condition. The player is entitled to the lie and line of putt he had when his ball came to rest. The line of putt may be restored by anyone.

If it is not possible to restore the line of putt, the <script id="gpt-impl-0.8818744920497857" src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/gpt/pubads_impl_108.js"></script>player would be justified in requesting the Committee to grant relief. If the damage is severe enough, the Committee may declare the area to be ground under repair, in which case the competitor may take relief under Rule 25-1b(iii).
 
This may be a bit OTT

If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification under this Rule.
 
I know I'm going to get told "two wrongs don't make a right" etc. But walk all over his line and see how he likes it!
 
mikejohnchapman said:
Think you need to find a new playing partner to be honest.
Click to expand...
I've thought this for a while actually but don't know anyone else. He's my brother but a real nightmare to play with. I've actually caught him kicking his ball into a better position when he's thought I wasn't looking.

I've just got a handicap so will enter a few seniors competitions in the hope of meeting some other players to partner up with.
 
What the rules prohibit is moving your ball to get a better line. Stupid suggestion.

(You need to complain to your mother and let her take care of him. :rofl:)
 
As its your brother tell him to do one. No need to be polite, it's your brother. If he still does it then as someone has said, find another partner. Gloves are off when it comes to siblings.
 
A quick word, something along these lines. " If you walk on my line one more time, it's going to take a very good surgeon, several hours to remove your golf ball from your back passage!"
 
Maybe gamesmanship on his part, seems to be working too!;)

Is it as much of an issue these days? - harks back to when players wore steel spikes and were more likely to leave spike marks I think rather than whole footprint indentations. Will footprints really leave indentations that'll affect a putt? - would have to be really boggy greens that should be GUR if they're that bad, no? Everyone is walking all over the greens all day long and the bounce back from a footprint is almost instant.

I know its the etiquette and he shouldn't do it but if you dont fuss maybe he'll stop?
 
I play with someone who is scrupulous about avoiding stepping on someone's line of putt, he will adopt a straddling stance if need be if finishing off a short one.
Trouble is, he's a large bloke with dodgy knees and invariably when picking his ball out, puts a lot of his weight onto one side of his tilted foot which creates a definite furrow.
I've never pulled him up on it because he is obviously trying hard!
But your brother doesn't care.
Time for new partner!
 
There are a few I've played with recently that are oblivious to anything around them and play with total blinkers on displaying very poor etiquette.

Just on Sunday I was in my backswing on the 2nd tee when my oppo walked and moved directly behind me, then as I was over my putt on the 15th he walked out of the bunker he was in after raking it but then stamped his feet as I was just pulling the trigger!

He rummages in his bag when your on the tee and is never ready to play his shot, I reckon we could have got in 30 minutes quicker!
 
Skypilot said:
I've thought this for a while actually but don't know anyone else. He's my brother but a real nightmare to play with. I've actually caught him kicking his ball into a better position when he's thought I wasn't looking.

I've just got a handicap so will enter a few seniors competitions in the hope of meeting some other players to partner up with.
Click to expand...


Next time you play with him just tell him that if he walks on your line you are going to assume he's conceded and given you the putt, as he obviously doesn't think you can miss it no matter what he does.

Then play him for a little money, or trophy. Or just tell everyone how you kicked his butt at golf!

Claim a couple of 10 footers and he'll either not give two hoots = you win... or will stop stepping on your line = you win.
 
He does it with you but what happens if he's playing with others as he's seriously going to tick off anyone he plays with.
Is he also planning to get a handicap and play in medals because if he is you'd better warn him he's going to get some serious grief about this and his use of the 'leather wedge'
The first basic etiquette and decidedly annoying, the second is a flagrant breach of the rules.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Naming a provisional ball
8 9 10
Replies
184
Views
8K
salfordlad
S
A
Smoothing the bunker to care for the course
5 6 7
Replies
127
Views
4K
rulie
R
R
Relief ruling for golf all trapped in safety net
Replies
11
Views
982
rulefan
R
D
Status of holed ball
Replies
8
Views
867
D-S
D
V
Relief for safety
2 3
Replies
51
Views
3K
Bunkermagnet
Bunkermagnet
Top