Searching for ball/identifying

[guest100718]

Pardon me? Once the original ball is found, the provisional ball must be abandoned. He had no choice but to proceed with the original ball.

from there.

 

[Crazyface]

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I hate losing balls but take as an upside having a look as an opportunity to find other good lost balls (Scottish stereotype alert) which of course I love as that means I don't have to buy them.

Of course this means I sometimes find my ball when I don't want to

It takes real effort from me to not even make a cursory search for ball of mine hit into a horrid place - as I lose a 'ball finding' opportunity.

I'm still a wean when it comes to looking for golf balls and the glee I get from finding them

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've rarely (if ever) played with anyone who has insisted on searching for my ball when I've expressed a wish not to

Did it once within hearing the player say to not bother. He wasn't that chuffed with me

 

[mikejohnchapman]

IMHO tournament officials and volunteers should be instructed to not assist like that unless asked.

Having marshalled at a number of events over the years I can assure you the pros are normally very keen for their ball to be found. If anyone sees where an errant ball goes are you suggesting they should ignore it unless specifically asked by the player? Not sure that would help pace of play.

 

[atticusfinch]

No if someone sees the ball they should report it. I'm just saying they shouldn't "conduct a search" without being asked.

 

[rulie]

Having marshalled at a number of events over the years I can assure you the pros are normally very keen for their ball to be found. If anyone sees where an errant ball goes are you suggesting they should ignore it unless specifically asked by the player? Not sure that would help pace of play.

Our policy is that if the marshal/forecaddie hears the ball he should indicate that to the player, but not go into the area to search for it until requested by the player or when the player goes in to search.

 

[rulefan]

Our policy is that if the marshal/forecaddie hears the ball he should indicate that to the player, but not go into the area to search for it until requested by the player or when the player goes in to search.

Our marshals/forecaddies & referees do the same.
If a referee does get involved they never search where they believe the player will not have a playable shot if found.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've rarely (if ever) played with anyone who has insisted on searching for my ball when I've expressed a wish not to

One down playing 18th in an important match, and my opponent carves one into the woods then hits a corker of a provisional, he might say 'don't bother' - I might well just say 'actually - I'll have a wee look'.

 

[Fish]

One down playing 18th in an important match, and my opponent carves one into the woods then hits a corker of a provisional, he might say 'don't bother' - I might well just say 'actually - I'll have a wee look'.

So it's potentially that important in a game we play for fun and not for a living that you would be prepared to find his ball in what could have been a totally unplayable position which is why he wouldn't want to look for it but you would have been pleased you found it so you could win, even though he was 3 off the tee!

Wow, is winning that important to you....

 

[chrisd]

So it's potentially that important in a game we play for fun and not for a living that you would be prepared to find his ball in what could have been a totally unplayable position which is why he wouldn't want to look for it but you would have been pleased you found it so you could win, even though he was 3 off the tee!

Wow, is winning that important to you....

To be fair Robin I'd probably be tempted too. Say it was the final of a big comp, would you readily give away the advantage that may accrue from finding his ball, especially if you were to be giving him a shot?

 

[Fish]

To be fair Robin I'd probably be tempted too. Say it was the final of a big comp, would you readily give away the advantage that may accrue from finding his ball, especially if you were to be giving him a shot?

I rarely give shots :smirk:

But with that said, I think this falls into the 'spirit of the game' sector.

If we started to walk over to the trees and it wasn't where he wanted it to be and he said 'let's crack on', then that's it for me, I want to get straight to my ball and after all, he's 3 off the tee so I should already have a clear advantage.

I'm as competitive as they come Chris, but not to the degree of wading into the trees against the wishes of the opposition/player just to win a game of golf, however prestigious, I wouldn't want to win like that, even if the rules allow me to.

Maybe I've got a soft side after all :mmm:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

So it's potentially that important in a game we play for fun and not for a living that you would be prepared to find his ball in what could have been a totally unplayable position which is why he wouldn't want to look for it but you would have been pleased you found it so you could win, even though he was 3 off the tee!

Wow, is winning that important to you....

You'll note that I said I was one down playing the 18th and not all square or one up and that it was an important match (they are very rarely important but they can be). That was intentional. I would not want to win a match in such a way - but I might want to take it to extra holes - depending...and I would still have to do my bit to win the 18th to take it to extra holes.

 

[chrisd]

I rarely give shots :smirk:

But with that said, I think this falls into the 'spirit of the game' sector.

If we started to walk over to the trees and it wasn't where he wanted it to be and he said 'let's crack on', then that's it for me, I want to get straight to my ball and after all, he's 3 off the tee so I should already have a clear advantage.

I'm as competitive as they come Chris, but not to the degree of wading into the trees against the wishes of the opposition/player just to win a game of golf, however prestigious, I wouldn't want to win like that, even if the rules allow me to.

Maybe I've got a soft side after all :mmm:

I've never been in the position to win like that in a big comp but I think when you're the one giving shots the mental side of the game may be different, and there's other situations, like gimmees, where some people get overly annoyed when you don't give them.

 

[Fish]

I've never been in the position to win like that in a big comp but I think when you're the one giving shots the mental side of the game may be different, and there's other situations, like gimmees, where some people get overly annoyed when you don't give them.

Best way to curb this is simply state on the 1st tee no gimmies, lets both putt out and just enjoy the round.

 

[duncan mackie]

Best way to curb this is simply state on the 1st tee no gimmies, lets both putt out and just enjoy the round.

This is now getting so off track....

 

[rulefan]

Best way to curb this is simply state on the 1st tee no gimmies,

Would that not result in both of you getting DQd?

 

[Dasit]

Best way to curb this is simply state on the 1st tee no gimmies, lets both putt out and just enjoy the round.

That is the way it should be. Gimmes should not be a thing in competitive golf

 

[guest100718]

That is the way it should be. Gimmes should not be a thing in competitive golf

They are very much a part of matchplay

 

[rosecott]

They are very much a part of matchplay

Very much agree.

The judicious application of when to give and when to not give can play a very important part in matchplay.