Views on advice during social comps

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sev112

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Bit broing on here today - let's start another debate ;)

Played in a social (society-type) comp yesterday

Was in a last group 2 ball with an (allocated)36 handicapper; she had had circa 3 lessons and had played 18 holes a few times at most.

No-one behind us all the way round, so i spent (absolutely happily) the majority of the round talking about her swing, her approach to holes, some simple technique stuff, and lots of encouragement.

Obviously came in with the lowest stableford score, but the first question i was asked as soon as we got in was "on how many holes did you give advice"? (and it wasn't a joke !)

So - views ? Was i right to do so or wrong, because the "rules" dont allow it ...
 
Tough one. Morally you couldn't be faulted for giving help and encouragement to someone new to the game we all love. I'm sure we have all, at some time or another, been paired with a complete novice who was in dire need of some guidance. Clearly this shouldn't happen in an organised club qualifying competition in which the rules of golf need to be observed. The obvious place for such help is in a completely social round of golf. I am a bit surprised at the challenge from others in what was essentally a social round of golf.
 
i agree
Proper competition with handicaps etc being adjusted etc, then it's a different issue in my book
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Some will say if prizes were on offer why should this round be taken any differently than a medal? Hard to argue against I'd say...
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OP did mention social in his description of the round.
 
What's the definition of "Social" golf anyway.
Every Friday, Fragger, CVG and myself play (potentially) Social golf but the desire to win and play your best is as strong as it would be during the Monthly Medal. I'm trying desparatly to beat Fragger and vice versa. So it's Social on one hand and as cut-throat as a proper comp on the other.
 
this type of issue has raised its head before.. I would also like to know "what makes a social round?" Should all rounds be played under full R&A rules, or only ones which are organised comps or in which your handicap can be adjusted. In my opinion, if we forced the application of full rules on every round, then a large percentage of players would either a) ignore it or b) drift away from the game..
as an example, my brother in law has just taken up the game and absolutely loves it. We played several times a few weeks ago, each time for a pint (him off 24, me off 12). I really enjoyed offering advice (and even allowing a few mulligans). The games were very, very competative. Should we be punished..
By the way, after 5 rounds in 5 days, he had dropped 5-7 shots off his score.. I like to think that I helped (probably didn't though)..
 
i agree
Proper competition with handicaps etc being adjusted etc, then it's a different issue in my book
Click to expand...

Some will say if prizes were on offer why should this round be taken any differently than a medal? Hard to argue against I'd say...
Click to expand...

OP did mention social in his description of the round.
Click to expand...

Is there such a thing as a 'social' comp?

When there's prizes/money up for grabs (I'm guessing this is the case, if not why question him) people will want the rules applied.
 
"Played in a social (society-type) comp yesterday"


Which was it tho. to me social is a knock around with someone , society is an organised comp.. i dont take my society golf serious what so ever but the rules of golf still apply to it . i applaud you for taking time to help your partner but to me if it was an organised comp with pries you broke the rules, i know that sounds crappy but....
 
Both Imurg and Bluewolf have put their fingers right on the button.
Imurg plays fiercely competitive "social" - i.e. non-qualifying - games in which, I am sure, all involved will observe all the rules of golf so that there is no advantage to any of the protagonists.
Bluewolf is playing a wholly different game. He wants to help another player develop his golfing ability and, even though there's a pint involved, he's probably quite happy to turn a blind eye to some things and happy to give advice and guidance.
There's a place in golf for both approaches.
 
If i was ever challenged during a club competition,for offering help or advice to a fellow golfer in my group,i'd walk,rules or no rules.
No wonder this game cannot move forward,and rid itself of its antiquated image,when we still have a Joke book,masquerading as a set of rules,and guidelines.
 
If i was ever challenged during a club competition,for offering help or advice to a fellow golfer in my group,i'd walk,rules or no rules.
No wonder this game cannot move forward,and rid itself of its antiquated image,when we still have a Joke book,masquerading as a set of rules,and guidelines.
Click to expand...

Firstly i can see where you are coming from.. but as long as that joke book does determine the rules why do you think you shouldnt obey ALL the rules not just some of them .. i do agree some of the rules are silly but when you enter a comp you agree to abide by them all, whether you like/agree with them or not
 
If i was ever challenged during a club competition,for offering help or advice to a fellow golfer in my group,i'd walk,rules or no rules.
No wonder this game cannot move forward,and rid itself of its antiquated image,when we still have a Joke book,masquerading as a set of rules,and guidelines.
Click to expand...

Firstly i can see where you are coming from.. but as long as that joke book does determine the rules why do you think you shouldnt obey ALL the rules not just some of them .. i do agree some of the rules are silly but when you enter a comp you agree to abide by them all, whether you like/agree with them or not
Click to expand...

I'm obviously a cheat then. :D
 
Firstly i can see where you are coming from.. but as long as that joke book does determine the rules why do you think you shouldnt obey ALL the rules not just some of them .. i do agree some of the rules are silly but when you enter a comp you agree to abide by them all, whether you like/agree with them or not
Click to expand...


Well everyone then, lets be absolutely clear where we stand then.

How many of you would in exactly the same situation and in exactly the same situation, a once a year "society" with 12 players, would have spent 4.5 hours with the new golfer and abided exactly by "the rules" regarding advice in this situation?

This will be interesting ...
 
So we should just ignore new golfers and let them struggle on (in some cases) until they get it?

But then again golfs overflowing with new players so we could do with a cull eh?


I've even had advice from members in competition (baaaaaaaaaad case of the unmentionables) does that make them and I a cheat?
 
I would have given advice and if someone complained I would accept my DQ with my head held high. When the other player left the game because of this over application of the rules I would be a little sad. Never mind. In 20 years I'll probably be the last person playing. At least the round won't take 5 hours. Now that is something worth complaining about.
 
I would have given advice and if someone complained I would accept my DQ with my head held high. When the other player left the game because of this over application of the rules I would be a little sad. Never mind. In 20 years I'll probably be the last person playing. At least the round won't take 5 hours. Now that is something worth complaining about.
Click to expand...

+1
 
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