watching your partner putt ????

patricks148

patricks148

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Played in a two ball scramble yesterday and the two guys we were drawn with stood right behind each other whenever they putted. and i mean right behind, on every put.


we were not sure you were allowed to do this... didn't mention anything at the time though we dropped hints... big hints.

so are you allowed to stand behind you playing partner in better ball matches?
 
patricks148 said:
Played in a two ball scramble yesterday and the two guys we were drawn with stood right behind each other whenever they putted. and i mean right behind, on every put.


we were not sure you were allowed to do this... didn't mention anything at the time though we dropped hints... big hints.

so are you allowed to stand behind you playing partner in better ball matches?
Click to expand...

From Rule 14.2

b. Positioning of Caddie or Partner Behind Ball
A player must not make a stroke with his caddie, his partner or his partner's caddie positioned on or close to an extension of the line of play or line of putt behind the ball.
Exception: There is no penalty if the player’s caddie, his partner or his partner's caddie is inadvertently located on or close to an extension of the line of play or line of putt behind the ball.
 
Mmm, interesting they did it on every hole too and usually sank the 2nd put as, well they knew the line.

The pair of them didn't know how to drop a ball either, they didn't find a single fairway and it was there home course. Drops were done at waist hight at most again pretty much every shot expt putting.
 
Well, reading up on this it seems like it is against the rules to stand behind the putt in scrambles. I didn't even know it was against the rules in normal team play - although I did know you can't deliberately manipulate your putt so that you can putt down the same line as your partner so he can get the line. I just thought it was rub of the green if you both happened to be on the same line. Ah well, you live and learn.
 
Ian_S said:
Well, reading up on this it seems like it is against the rules to stand behind the putt in scrambles. I didn't even know it was against the rules in normal team play - although I did know you can't deliberately manipulate your putt so that you can putt down the same line as your partner so he can get the line. I just thought it was rub of the green if you both happened to be on the same line. Ah well, you live and learn.
Click to expand...

3offTheTee said:
Is it different in a scramble as I thought it was not a recognised Comp?
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Indeed Scrambles are not a recognised form of the game from a Rules standpoint, so unless Conds of Comp specify 'otherwise Rules of Golf', there are no rules!

It's probably something the OP should have pointed out to their FCs - purely as a convention.

I'd be interested to see a reference to the rule about showing your Partner the line - apart from the one in the original 13!
 
My club's t/scram was on Saturday, and a sheet was left on display at the starters, drawing your attention to rule 14-2b. Very hard to police , same as amount of drives and drops each player take. That's why it should only be a fun day, with very small novelty prizes.:blah:
 
Ian_S said:
... although I did know you can't deliberately manipulate your putt so that you can putt down the same line as your partner so he can get the line. I just thought it was rub of the green if you both happened to be on the same line. Ah well, you live and learn.
Click to expand...

Hmmm..

I might be completely wrong but I'm not aware of anything specifically in the Rules to prevent this in 4 ball play. Never seen it done but I don't think it is actually illegal.

Apart from anything else how would you police it? Have I deliberately putted 6 feet past to get my ball on my partner's line or or is it my usual clumsy attempt to be agressive with my first putt?

Maybe one of the experts could advise.
 
30-3f/6

Player Plays Away from Hole to Assist Partner

Q.In a four-ball competition, a player purposely putts away from the hole to a position slightly farther from the hole than the spot where his partner's ball lies and on the same line to the hole as his partner's ball. The player then putts towards the hole, and the roll of his ball is helpful to his partner in determining how much his putt will break, etc. Is such procedure contrary to the Rules?
A.Such procedure is contrary to the spirit of the game. In match play, in equity (Rule 1-4), the player should be disqualified for the hole and, since his action assisted his partner's play, the partner should incur the same penalty (Rule30-3f).
In stroke play, the player should incur a penalty of two strokes and, under Rule 31-8) the partner should incur the same penalty.
 
Last edited:
rulefan said:
30-3f/6

Player Plays Away from Hole to Assist Partner

Q.In a four-ball competition, a player purposely putts away from the hole to a position slightly farther from the hole than the spot where his partner's ball lies and on the same line to the hole as his partner's ball. The player then putts towards the hole, and the roll of his ball is helpful to his partner in determining how much his putt will break, etc. Is such procedure contrary to the Rules?
A.Such procedure is contrary to the spirit of the game. In match play, in equity (Rule 1-4), the player should be disqualified for the hole and, since his action assisted his partner's play, the partner should incur the same penalty (Rule30-3f).
In stroke play, the player should incur a penalty of two strokes and, under Rule 31-8) the partner should incur the same penalty.
Click to expand...

The decision specifically states away from the hole to a point further than the other ball. Not sure why as I could putt towards the hole, but with the intent of getting my ball on the line between my partners ball and the hole. We could then decide that I putt first to show my partner the line. Does the same decision ruling apply? I assume so because were this to happen our opponents could concede my putt - thereby removing the opportunity for me to show my partner the line. But putting the onus back on the opponents to concede to counter my dubious tactics does not seem right.
 
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SwingsitlikeHogan said:
The decision specifically states away from the hole to a point further than the other ball. Not sure why as I could putt towards the hole, but with the intent of getting my ball on the line between my partners ball and the hole. We could then decide that I putt first to show my partner the line. Does the same decision ruling apply? I assume so because were this to happen our opponents could concede my putt - thereby removing the opportunity for me to show my partner the line. But putting the onus back on the opponents to concede to counter my dubious tactics does not seem right.
Click to expand...

I think 'away' is used to better demonstrate the point. The offence is really about the player not trying to get his ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible.
 
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