The bringer of bad news?

[chrisd]

I played yesterday in a finals of a golf series where there was a decent prize for the winner and everyone playing was a club member (from all round) and all had a current, and I'd say, pretty accurate, low teen handicaps in my group.

During the round, in peeing rain and a strong wind, there were a a few rules situations where my fellow competitors said that they were going to proceed in certain ways. When I pointed out that they weren't entitled to do what they were proposing, the comments came back "oh, at my place we just do this (or that) if anyone is in this predicament" I explained the various rules and options and know that I was right.

I did this in as nice a way as possible but it was clear to me that when bad news was given, that didn't give the outcome they were looking for, I was the bad man for actually having the audacity to know the rules and once or twice the mood was decidedly frosty for a while. I really wonder whether there is any point to studying rules at all ??

 

[Craigg]

Haven't got time at the moment for a long answer, but the short answer for me is yes. Keep on doing what you're doing.

 

[la_lucha]

I think that as long as you're playing by the rules, that's all that matters. Just try to beat your own handicap.

 

[chrisd]

I think that as long as you're playing by the rules, that's all that matters. Just try to beat your own handicap.

What about the guys that I play with?

 

[la_lucha]

What about them? I play to the best that I can. Those guys are going to cheat/not play to the rules next week too.

 

[louise_a]

All you can do is point out the correct way to proceed under the rules.

 

[chrisd]

What about them? I play to the best that I can. Those guys are going to cheat/not play to the rules next week too.

Not as I see it! They may just remember and do the right thing next time - I never said they were cheats

 

[Three]

As a guy I used to know would often say, "the most unpopular golfer is often the one who knows the rules best".

Just keep doing what you did, it's the right way.

 

[bladeplayer]

I played yesterday in a finals of a golf series where there was a decent prize for the winner and everyone playing was a club member (from all round) and all had a current, and I'd say, pretty accurate, low teen handicaps in my group.

During the round, in peeing rain and a strong wind, there were a a few rules situations where my fellow competitors said that they were going to proceed in certain ways. When I pointed out that they weren't entitled to do what they were proposing, the comments came back "oh, at my place we just do this (or that) if anyone is in this predicament" I explained the various rules and options and know that I was right.

I did this in as nice a way as possible but it was clear to me that when bad news was given, that didn't give the outcome they were looking for, I was the bad man for actually having the audacity to know the rules and once or twice the mood was decidedly frosty for a while. I really wonder whether there is any point to studying rules at all ??

I asked this a long time ago Chris , TBH i just stay out of it now , id say 70% of members in our place are the same as the people you just described , between these & the handicap manufacturers (not just the high ones) they ruin golf for me ..
Im not paying my membership to spend/waste my time worrying what others are up to anymore , too many at it esp the ones the club know about & wont take any action , if i see someone cheating in my group il mention it to them alright .. will i get involved in a row? .. the way i feel about it currently .. Nah
Il continue to learn & study the rules for my own benefit but thats all

 

[Crazyface]

I find it very worrying when someone who has been playing for years does not know the ruling on certain situations and just makes things up. Jesus H at least go and find out!

 

[bladeplayer]

I find it very worrying when someone who has been playing for years does not know the ruling on certain situations and just makes things up. Jesus H at least go and find out!

Alot just dont get it tho , most play golf as a past time & for some that's all they want, its the same as returning scorecards (not NR & score)some people are not aware of the consequences others see it as their comp fee their round & just dont care ..

Clubs everywhere need to re educate members

 

[chrisd]

I honestly don't think that clubs are worried about rules at all. They seem more concerned as to whether someone is dressed correctly in the clubhouse, or parked in the right parking area, than whether they've understood the basics of the rules

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I played yesterday in a finals of a golf series where there was a decent prize for the winner and everyone playing was a club member (from all round) and all had a current, and I'd say, pretty accurate, low teen handicaps in my group.

During the round, in peeing rain and a strong wind, there were a a few rules situations where my fellow competitors said that they were going to proceed in certain ways. When I pointed out that they weren't entitled to do what they were proposing, the comments came back "oh, at my place we just do this (or that) if anyone is in this predicament" I explained the various rules and options and know that I was right.

I did this in as nice a way as possible but it was clear to me that when bad news was given, that didn't give the outcome they were looking for, I was the bad man for actually having the audacity to know the rules and once or twice the mood was decidedly frosty for a while. I really wonder whether there is any point to studying rules at all ??

Of course there is a point in being a student of the rules as in situations such as you were in you can keep your PPs straight on things. Whatever they might then think - you know that you have done the right thing for the rest of the field.

 

[chrisd]

Of course there is a point in being a student of the rules as in situations such as you were in you can keep your PPs straight on things. Whatever they might then think - you know that you have done the right thing for the rest of the field.

I agree SILH, yesterday my mate won the comp and I was marking his card. He is pretty well clued up on the rules too and played absolutely to them. One of our FC's had a rules issue and had he done what he wanted to I think he might have just pipped my mate to win what was about £1k in prizes.

As he blobbed the hole after being advised as to the correct procedure he was decidedly miffed with me.

 

[pbrown7582]

what about them? I play to the best that i can. Those guys are going to cheat/not play to the rules next week too.

by playing by the rules you are obliged to call and infringments you see..

 

[pbrown7582]

You find yourself in an awkward position when these situations occur you know you are correct you have the rules book in the bag but the FC is still not happy with the ruling that goes against him, which then makes for a decidedly frosty rest of round.
The easy answer sat here at a keyboard is you must call it and have the argument but its not that easy when out on the course.
An education system by clubs would help but how many members would actually attend rules nights? Those that do will be the ones that probably already have a good knowledge of the rules anyway?
Maybe an online quiz type of module to keep your H/cp at competition status?

 

[chrisd]

You find yourself in an awkward position when these situations occur you know you are correct you have the rules book in the bag but the FC is still not happy with the ruling that goes against him, which then makes for a decidedly frosty rest of round.
The easy answer sat here at a keyboard is you must call it and have the argument but its not that easy when out on the course.
An education system by clubs would help but how many members would actually attend rules nights? Those that do will be the ones that probably already have a good knowledge of the rules anyway?
Maybe an online quiz type of module to keep your H/cp at competition status?

No bad idea that!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

What about them? I play to the best that I can. Those guys are going to cheat/not play to the rules next week too.

That may or may not be the case and is a sad thought that when they go back to their clubs they'd knowingly (or not) carry on breaking rules. However in the OP's case where he is playing with them of course he has to uphold the rules to protect the field. How would you feel if you knew 100% someone hadn't proceeded correctly and then went on to win?

 

[la_lucha]

That may or may not be the case and is a sad thought that when they go back to their clubs they'd knowingly (or not) carry on breaking rules. However in the OP's case where he is playing with them of course he has to uphold the rules to protect the field. How would you feel if you knew 100% someone hadn't proceeded correctly and then went on to win?

Would certainly be aggrieved. Don't get me wrong I would raise it, but if they chose to carry on knowing they are wrong then there's no point falling out or causing an atmosphere.

 

[chrisd]

Would certainly be aggrieved. Don't get me wrong I would raise it, but if they chose to carry on knowing they are wrong then there's no point falling out or causing an atmosphere.

Would you sign their card?