Walking a course pre-competition

[One Planer]

As per thread title.

Is walking the course prior to competition play (On the day) allowed?

I understand you are not allowed to actually play the course pre-competition, but is simply walking the course to make note of pin positions and other useful information.

Is this allowed?

 

[Snelly]

It's allowed but unless you are a very good player, it's probably overkill in my opinion.

 

[Foxholer]

Certainly allowed.

But I'd only consider doing it if it was a completely new course to me and/or greens were such that pin position was critical.

And I really think I'd prefer to save my energy anyway!

 

[Imurg]

Seems illogical to me that you can walk the course before a competition but not play it....
And yet you can play the course before a Matchplay round....

 

[Foxholer]

Seems illogical to me that you can walk the course before a competition but not play it....
And yet you can play the course before a Matchplay round....

With a Matchplay round, you both , theoretically,have the same opportunity - so fair.

With a Strokeplay comp, you don't all have the same opportunity to 'practice', so preventing anyone from practicing is also fair!

 

[Imurg]

Get that - so why allow walking the course?
Not all competitors will have the opportunity.......

 

[palindromicbob]

Get that - so why allow walking the course?
Not all competitors will have the opportunity.......

Making a note about pin positions by walking the course is a little different to playing and making a note of breaks etc.

Everyone has the option to walk the course though while others are playing.

 

[pbrown7582]

Get that - so why allow walking the course?
Not all competitors will have the opportunity.......

All competitors have the same chance to walk the course ?

 

[ScienceBoy]

What if you have to walk through your course to get to the clubhouse? Suddenly you are DQed before you even tee off.

If you happen to stop on the way and putt a green, well thats a different matter.

I know plenty of courses with public footpaths through them, where would "walking the course" start and stop?

 

[atticusfinch]

Guys guys. The logic of it is irrelevant. What does the rule say?

a. Match Play
On any day of a match-play competition, a player may practice on the competition course before a round.

b. Stroke Play
Before a round or play-off on any day of a stroke-play competition, a competitor must not practice on the competition course or test the surface of any putting green on the course by rolling a ball or roughening or scraping the surface.

The term "walk the course" does not appear as a prohibition.

 

[6inchcup]

why would you wish to walk the course unless your a scratch or better,you normally get a course planner and a pin position card in county comps,why not try and play the course the week before if your that keen.

 

[Fyldewhite]

why would you wish to walk the course unless your a scratch or better,you normally get a course planner and a pin position card in county comps,why not try and play the course the week before if your that keen.

Well, it could be miles away or you may have time to kill etc. I've never actually done this but have seen players do it. I can certainly see that it may be very useful and so much better than a course planner. How often have you got to the green, looked back and thought the hole looks totally different than it did on the tee?