Who has priority?

[Lump]

Had a bit of a do today with another team and I'd like to know if we where in the right.

So basically, on our 4th hole the landing spot for drives ends up right next to the tee box of the 12th. We where playing our second shots when a team left the 11th green and started teeing off, no drama's usually. But today, as a playing partner hit the his second shot wayward towards another fairway, we both shouted "fore" (rather loudly as it was lasering its way towards a 4ball).
Only to be greeted by calls of "excuse me" and " do you mind" from the tee box on 12th. A few words where exchanged but I was left walking down the fairway not being sure of who was in the right.
I've had a search but can't find any rulings, but my view is that players who are already playing a hole, take priority over players waiting to tee off.

Any rule gurus enlighten me?

 

[Old Skier]

Had a bit of a do today with another team and I'd like to know if we where in the right.

So basically, on our 4th hole the landing spot for drives ends up right next to the tee box of the 12th. We where playing our second shots when a team left the 11th green and started teeing off, no drama's usually. But today, as a playing partner hit the his second shot wayward towards another fairway, we both shouted "fore" (rather loudly as it was lasering its way towards a 4ball).
Only to be greeted by calls of "excuse me" and " do you mind" from the tee box on 12th. A few words where exchanged but I was left walking down the fairway not being sure of who was in the right.
I've had a search but can't find any rulings, but my view is that players who are already playing a hole, take priority over players waiting to tee off.

Any rule gurus enlighten me?

If there is no club notice on or around the tee it's simply a matter of sorting it between the two groups. No rule other than who the club says has priority exists.

 

[duncan mackie]

If I read your post correctly -
1. One of your group playing the 4th played his second stroke towards the 4th, but it went straight for another group elsewhere on the course.
2. Nearby there were players teeing off from the 12th
3. You shouted fore to warn people
4. The group teeing off intimated displeasure at your having interrupted them.

If this is correct then the obvious answer is that safety actions prevail ie you should shout fore if you deem it appropriate, erring on the side of safety (in doubt shout).

Whether he should have played obviously can't be judged from here, now.

If I've got the above points wrong no doubt you will clarify.

 

[rulefan]

If it was about the shout, I agree with Duncan. Safety takes priority over everything else.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Generally accepted that "nearest home plays first" so, assuming that their fairway was clear, those playing the 12th would have had priority over your group playing the 4th.

It is a question of etiquette and good practice for pace of play rather than a Rules issue.

 

[Blue in Munich]

I seem to remember being told somewhere that the higher numbered hole should have priority as to do the opposite would potentially back the course up. However I can't find it laid down anywhere and it might have been told to me by the same bloke that swore blind you could declare your ball lost.

If you were ready to play as they were coming to the 12th tee then as far as I'm concerned you play. If they were already playing & you went at the same time then it's poor form and equally if you were playing and they started then they would be showing poor form. If you are all there at the same time then I'd expect whoever was ready first to go and the player due to play first from the other group to line up. That player then plays while the next one in the other group lines up & you alternate. That way, if either group needs to shout Fore! they don't disturb the other unduly.

What in my opinion is beyond any doubt is that if they questioned you for shouting Fore! then they are muppets of the first order.

 

[bladeplayer]

Ye were playing ye'r second shots when the team left 11& started teeing off 12 , & they were complaining bout ye ?

Seems common sense & politeness isnt common , if ye were there they should have waited & not even got on the tee box ,& vice versa ye dont even approach ye'r balls , if for some reason ye arrive at same time , play alternativly (SP)

No delays , no rows , & no one put off by shouts of fore ..

 

[louise_a]

We have a similar situation oddly enough with our 4th, The 16th tee is nearby, if playing the 4th and someone on the 16th tee, we let them drive off before continuing.

 

[KenL]

We give priority to people on the tee who must also ensure it is safe to play.
We do have a couple of places where holes are close to one another

 

[atticusfinch]

If you are not in the same competition as the others the rules of golf do not apply.. Club rules and courtesy tell what to do.

 

[bobmac]

I always give way to people who are ahead of me in the round.
If you make them wait, the group behind them will have to wait too and the group behind them and so on until ultimately your making yourself wait.

 

[BomberSRL]

Surely it would be madness not to shout?! Any sensible person would see that and accept it.

 

[Foxholer]

The shout is obligatory!

Whether the player should have taken his shot really depends on specific positioning!

I'd generally consider that players 'closer to home' would have priority, but the most obvious area where such clashes could occur on the course I play most are at the 11th vs 9th (which could be the 18th with a 2-Tee start!) and the 8th (17th?) v 15th (6th?) As it's a 'clash of Tees', the convention is normally to 'filter' - Tee shot from one tee, followed by Te shot from the other etc.