Single players

[Akie]

I believe that in 2004 the rules advised that single players should have equal standing as pairs and groups on the course unless a club had specifically said so its in rules. What are people's experiences with this when they have played on their own or in a group?

 

[patricks148]

My old club even after the change was pretty bad.

Id often nip up for a few holes (the course split into 8 holes, 7, 3) as the course was only around the corner from y house. And most of the groups would not let you though and most would even quote to you that singles players had no standing. In the end they had to put a notice up on all the boards than the rules had changed and the whole seniors section got a lecture from the handicap sec to boot.

Even with the old rule its was pretty stupid that 4 balls would just not let you though even with no one in front.

My new club much better and def change for the good IMO.

 

[Akie]

Yeah thats what I thought, most people don't know about the rule changing and that it's purely down to letting the faster groups through. I always let single players play through or if I was just having an informal game let them join us.

 

[patricks148]

Its very different golf wise up here, most people play with the same 4 ball every game. its more the everyman sport than in England.

it depends where you play too, my club is fine all singles are let though i would say, there the odd one of course.

Theres another course just out on the black isle, its realativly short and flat and for that reason it has lots of seniors and lady members, and you struggle to get let though there no matter what.

 

[tallpaul]

Generally, yes singles get let through. Unless the group are playing a match/comp then there's almost no-chance.

 

[Akie]

Generally, yes singles get let through. Unless the group are playing a match/comp then there's almost no-chance.

That's generally understandable, just concerned as I think I might be playing alone a bit next year.

 

[cookelad]

Don't understand why you would want to hold someone up and have them sitting "up yer arse" even in a match just let them go more often than not they'll be off in the distance before you know it!

 

[Akie]

Don't understand why you would want to hold someone up and have them sitting "up yer arse" even in a match just let them go more often than not they'll be off in the distance before you know it!

I totally agree especially if its a single player. Don't want them standing at the tee with you each time you start a hole as I'd feel silly not letting them through.

 

[cookelad]

I totally agree especially if its a single player. Don't want them standing at the tee with you each time you start a hole as I'd feel silly not letting them through.

Exactly! Not only is it ruining their enjoyment of the course but your own as well - I'd always feel pressured to get a move on (not that I'm a particularly slow player but if I'm part of a 3/4ball match then we'll probably be a lot slower than a singleton out for a quick 18!)

 

[AmandaJR]

I could be being over sensitive but think some guys aren't keen on letting a female through. Played today and soon caught a 3 ball and had to wait on every shot. One guy was taking his 3rd hack on the 4th hole and I drove off thinking he was way out of range - he was but my ball landed near enough for him to look back (I did nail it). Hoped that might drop the hint but no - I was putting (for birdie) on the green as he teed off the Par 3 5th and thinned/pulled/god knows what his ball onto the green just about taking me out at the knee caps. He did apologise as he trudged to find his ball in the long stuff but still they played out the hole as I waited on the tee. I was then caught by a 2 ball behind and we hooked up which was fine and I just had to accept my quick 18 holes wasn't going to be so quick!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Don't understand why you would want to hold someone up and have them sitting "up yer arse" even in a match just let them go more often than not they'll be off in the distance before you know it!

100% :thup:

I hate having someone waiting around behind me. If at all possible, call them through then you can relax and concentrate on your own game.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There are a few well known faces that would rather die than let a single player through at my place. Sadly they are of the "older persuasion" but the majority and in particular the lady section are really god about it. I tend to play a fair bit on my own if I'm working on stuff and rarely have a problem

 

[Leftie]

....... that would rather die than let a single player through at my place. Sadly they are of the "older persuasion" ..........

Yawnnnn

I tend to play a fair bit on my own ........

Why am I not surprised.

 

[full_throttle]

- I was putting (for birdie) on the green as he teed off the Par 3 5th and thinned/pulled/god knows what his ball onto the green just about taking me out at the knee caps. He did apologise

I hope he was insured...



I know that single players have the same standing but didn't realise it was a 'rule'. It makes semse to let any faster plyers through be they single or a pair.

Played Monday and let a single player though he ended up being two holes quicker as a single against my fourball.

 

[Slab]

Is it correct that a committee can still reverse a single player standing back to the pre-2004 position, as part of their local rules? (course near me uses 'single player has no standing' listed in its local rules

And if so I guess its a little like 'removing stones from bunkers' where the rules say no & just about every course local rules says its fine to do this

 

[louise_a]

I regualrly play on my own, usually get let through or asked to join 2 balls, I find the worst for not letting you through are societies.

 

[Colin L]

Is it correct that a committee can still reverse a single player standing back to the pre-2004 position, as part of their local rules? (course near me uses 'single player has no standing' listed in its local rules

And if so I guess its a little like 'removing stones from bunkers' where the rules say no & just about every course local rules says its fine to do this

As far as pace of play is concerned, the Etiquette section of the Rules gives the Committee some discretion:

Priority On The Course
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term “group” includes a single player.

And regarding stones in bunkers, the Rules explicitly allow the Committee to introduce a Local Rule deeming stones in bunkers to be movable obstructionss

But that means to me that if your Committee has not published anything to change the laid down way of determining priority, individual members are in breach of etiquette if they discriminate against single players- or ladies, young turks, old farts etc for that matter.

Just as they would be in breach of Rule 13-4 if they removed stones from a bunker when there was not a local rule in place.

 

[Matty]

Much earlier in the year, I played in the final of a league comp. We were all told that as we were in a comp we had priority and a bunch of tee times were blocked out.

Clearly, not long after we'd all set off the course was then opened up to social players again and one chap was playing on his own way faster than any of our groups.

I'm pleased to say that all of the comp groups let this single player through thus not ruining his rhythm or ours! It really makes not a blind bit of difference to let a faster player though in my opinion.

 

[SaintHacker]

I regualrly play on my own, usually get let through or asked to join 2 balls, I find the worst for not letting you through are societies.

Yep, totally agree. Never ever had a problem with a member at my club, I've always been waved straight through or asked if I'd like to join in. Did get stopped by a society a while back, I think it was their organiser that refused to let me through, and was quite rude about it. Luckily the course has a few places you can skip a hole or two, dead useful if you only want to play a few holes, or if you get held up by people like him. The look on his face as they played up the 13th and saw me teeing up on 14 was priceless

 

[Foxholer]

Much earlier in the year, I played in the final of a league comp. We were all told that as we were in a comp we had priority and a bunch of tee times were blocked out.

Clearly, not long after we'd all set off the course was then opened up to social players again and one chap was playing on his own way faster than any of our groups.

I'm pleased to say that all of the comp groups let this single player through thus not ruining his rhythm or ours! It really makes not a blind bit of difference to let a faster player though in my opinion.

I quite frequently just turned up at the club and took pot luck, either joining up or playing on my own. If I'd known there was a league match in front - as I would expect to be told by the Pro shop - I would not go anywhere near them. Pretty much the same with Societies too - unless actually called through.