Slow, slow, quick, quick,slow...

[backwoodsman]

I've been getting to know people at my new club - and have been thoroughly enjoying it. Today, was playing with some more new folk - very nice guys - but was slightly taken aback when one offered me some advice on etiquette and my speed of play. Too quick apparently?

"Don't be too keen to play your shot. You shouldn't be ahead of other players until they have played their shot" was the advice. I should wait with the back marker, and then walk up the fairway with them apparently; and to do otherwise is poor form?

I've always played the game on the assumption that everyone should be at their ball & ready to play as soon as the player who precedes them has finished their shot. Which means say, after the tee shot, I set off down the fairway,and when we get to the first ball, that player stops but I keep going till I get to my ball. If they are ready to play before I get to my ball then I stop and watch their shot. I explained this, but he was having none of it.

In many years of playing, it's the first time I've known anyone have issue with this approach. What do you do? What do you think is good etiquette?

 

[USER1999]

The etiquet is for a sound reason. It is safest to be behind the player playing.

If you are on the other side of the fairway you can be a bit ahead, but not much.

We aren't robots, we do shank, hook, top, slice etc.

 

[backwoodsman]

I can see some sense in the "safer" reasoning. But perhaps I didn't make clear - but I wouldn't dream of standing in front of a player or anywhere near their line. Just that I wouldn't necessarily wait behind them (and would always be standing still and watching their shot).

 

[DCB]

I wouldn't go marching on past a fellow competitor to get to my ball. I'd wait out of eyeline until he plays and then move on up the fairway until the next ball. As long as everyone moves smartly between shots there's no problem. If you're on too far ahead, you may be in danger of an errant shot, but you may also be unknowingly putting them off in their preperation for the shot to come.

 

[Warren]

Pesonally i think it's courtesy & good manners to show an interest in your opponents game as well as your own.

 

[RGDave]

Hmm. I guess it's OK to move on up to your ball if you are miles away from any possible shot.
I had to "caution" someone in a match today for getting ahead of me. He moved up to his ball 100 yards up the fairway (he'd played two) as I was planning my approach shot. I was waiting for 2 other shots b.t.w.
I whistled and got him to move into the tree line. The fact that he was there and his trolley was only 10 yards to the right of my line really spooked me. I asked him if he'd mind not doing it again, not for me, but for his safety (he seemed OK about it). Thankfully, my partner assured me it was safe to go and I whacked my 3 wood off the fairway miles, just short of the fringe.
I reckon players should play "how they feel" in regard to this, but be aware that their presence up the fairway may, on occasion, be off-putting or risky.

Personally, I keep behind the line of the ball unless I'm right over the other side of the fairway....and even then, I keep back a little.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I can see where the guy was coming from. My advice would be to nod politely and remember to take heed if you play with him again but otherwise carry on if you know you aren't going to put anyone off standing wherever you are or put yourself in the firing line or in danger. I would try and keep to a pace of play you are use to as there is nothing worse than playing too fast or having to hang back

 

[Region3]

I'm with the 'wait with the back marker' brigade, but I know other people who will head to their ball regardless.

I also believe in furthest from the pin always plays first but I've heard of people playing whoever's ready hits to speed up play.

I think either is ok as long as it's done with courtesy to other players.

 

[backwoodsman]

In view of the points expressed so far - a few comments

1. Of course, furthest from pin plays first.
2. I'd never (knowingly) stand on line of play or move about in line of sight or otherwise interfere with anyone about to play. (But that of course is subjective, so I'd take on board other's opinions)
3 As regards safety, if you're actually watching the play of the ball, if you let a ball hit you, is that not your own fault?

Scenario that led to comment today was;
A four ball...
player 1 hit straight but very short (into cross ditch in fact)
player 2 hit straight but only a bit further
player 3 hit long but way left into rough
player 4 (me) hit long and centre right of fairway (due to dog-leg, for second shots, well, well, right of anyone else's second shot or line of sight)

We walk forward together and on the way point out player 1's ball in the ditch. Player 2 clearly visible so me and player 3 walk on to see if we can find his ball in the rough. Ball 3 found easily (about 50 yd ahead of ball 1) so me walk on to my ball - about another 50 yards on - ie about 100 ahead of player 1 who is only now about to play his ball.

Was I really guilty of poor etiquette?

 

[nulassilb]

Last year, suffering from severe s***ks, I insisted that absolutely everyone on my righthand side stayed behind me when I took a shot.

In general, I prefer to stay behind the line and appreciate others doing the same. This is because I know that I am easily distracted and I would hate to put any partner off his/her shot.

 

[Imurg]

I can see their point but it sounds a bit picky to me. You were well off line and in no real danger. It happens in the pro game all the time. YOu see the guy playing his shot and the other player is 50-60 yards further up.

As long as you're not rushing everybody else, keeping out of danger and being sensible, then I can't see the problem with situations like this. If you were all on the fairway maybe 30 yards apart then there would be justification for waiting.

 

[jammydodger]

I'm in the get to your ball and sort out your shot camp..BUT..I only do it if i'm to the left of the shorter players and then only move ahead to about 30-40*. I wont move forward if i'm to the right of the player as to me this would be too distracting and dangerous to my health if they shanked it. No reason not to move ahead if you are behind (left of them) as they cant see you and its very unlikely they are going to hit a shot over 60* left. Always stop moving as they start their pre-shot routine though

 

[TWM]

My bad fairway shots (frequent) are woods 80 degrees left, irons 70 degrees right. No-one should walk ahead of me until I play.

 

[jammydodger]

If you hit it 80* left it would hit your left leg , mind you I have seen a shot go through someones legs. Now that was funny

 

[Ken_A]

If things are getting slow I approach my ball and choose club etc, I ensure I am not in the way and I normally watch the other players hitting.
Normally its not a problem as the only time we tend to slow a bit is when we are spraying them off the tee - and then its generally me right others left etc.

I think its better to play at the correct speed than slow down and watch a player go through his PSR and then another then another - personally if you are not in the way approach get ready and fire when its your turn.

Now if the course is tight and you are all in the middle and rightly up there ~(not my 4 ball) then keep in line you are not holding people back.

 

[viscount17]

my inclination has been to move to my ball if it's safe to do so (not uncommon as I'm probably in the rough), find that then if it's my turn to play I'm inclined to play my shot before I help find others.

I don't understood the 'joined at the hip' attitude whereby everyone in a 4-ball has to stand round every shot even when the ball is nowhere near their own. I'm interested in where their shot goes, not in their entire pre-shot routine. it also makes for a very slow game.

wait behind if you're on their line of play or eye-line, sure but on the other side of the course?

 

[USER1999]

It also depends on handicaps. Scratch gofers are less likely to kill you.