so 1st matchplay game yesterday

[turkish]

And got beat 3&2

Was good experience playing against someone competitively though really enjoyed it- made too many daft mistakes though... on 16th hole had to win, wasn't stroking and he beat my 7 with a 6!!! played it like a donkey all the way, his 2nd shot went into a tough bunker and my 3rd easy straight 80 yard pitch missed way to the right.

One thing that never sat quite right with me though was on our 9th hole, and was probably down to my inexperience and a bit of trepidation.....

I was 1st on the tee and went OOB on the right, his shot was close to fence and managed to stay in.... my 2nd tee shot was ok with chance of getting on green. When we get down he is struggling to find his ball.... I find it in an absolute mare of a lie, in the rough in a rolled up divot where someone hasn't pushed the flap of grass back and was really tight up against the flap... he then looked at me and said that's plugged isn't it. I wasn't really sure what to say so just went along with his opinion but it wasn't.

He was a nice guy, easy to get along with and the round had been pleasant so I think in the moment I wasn't tough nosed enough to say sorry mate but it just looks like an unlucky lie in an unrepaired divot..

I take it I should have just said!?!?

The annoying thing was that hole put him one up, then I crumbled a bit and he went 4 up, then got it back to 2 up and lost it on 16th. Was good experience though.... we live and learn!

 

[alexbrownmp]

it wasnt plugged- no other answer needed

 

[jamielaing]

I'm presuming it was in the rough therefore irrelevant if it is plugged or not. Should just play it

 

[woody69]

I'm presuming it was in the rough therefore irrelevant if it is plugged or not. Should just play it

Depends if a local rule is in place to allow drops through the green if the ball is plugged in it's own pitchmark.

OP, you should have just said. I understand why you might not of, but he was obviously trying it on.

 

[Curls]

Your first mistake was not saying it. But then I understand why you didn't, it can be awkward. Your second mistake was letting it get to you. But thats experience, next time you'll either know to speak up, or, if the situation is uncertain and you think you might not be able to call him on it, it'll make you even more determined to beat him.

 

[virtuocity]

Just checked this Turkish.

There is a local rule that covers plugged balls "through the green". That means if your ball is plugged anywhere except for the green, tee box or a hazard, then you can lift, clean and drop (no closer to the hole).

I had no idea this rule was in place, but there is a list of local rules in the club diary.

Personally, I don't like this rule, but there ya go.

Edit: obviously this has nothing to do with the scenario you found yourself in and yes, I would have told him that the local rule only covers plugged balls, not balls in divots.

 

[fundy]

Just checked this Turkish.

There is a local rule that covers plugged balls "through the green". That means if your ball is plugged anywhere except for the green, tee box or a hazard, then you can lift, clean and drop (no closer to the hole).

I had no idea this rule was in place, but there is a list of local rules in the club diary.

Personally, I don't like this rule, but there ya go.

Edit: obviously this has nothing to do with the scenario you found yourself in and yes, I would have told him that the local rule only covers plugged balls, not balls in divots.

why not, most sensible local rule there is and should be a rule of golf imho

 

[woody69]

why not, most sensible local rule there is and should be a rule of golf imho

Yep agreed. It's obvious (usually) if you are plugged. It's bad enough if you are in the rough, but why should you have to deal with it also being plugged due to overly wet conditions.

 

[virtuocity]

No different to being plugged in a bunker. Shouldn't be there in the first place.

 

[woody69]

No different to being plugged in a bunker. Shouldn't be there in the first place.

Bunker doesnt usually make up 80% of the hole.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Clearly chancing his arm. I'd have argued that it wasn't plugged and let him play it