Would you say anything????............

Fairly certain I would not say something, unless I thought he had really gained an advantage.

I suppose that is due to that I play golf to enjoy it/for fun and not to win or have arguments, as life is to short.


Would have to admit that the detailed rules of golf are one of the two reasons why I do not enter competitions a lot at our club but Love golf days due to the more relaxed atmosphere.
 
DarrenWilliams said:
Would have to admit that the detailed rules of golf are one of the two reasons why I do not enter competitions a lot at our club but Love golf days due to the more relaxed atmosphere.
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It's the person that takes massive joy in pointing out the rules breach that gets me.....I sometimes wonder if they get "the fizz" or not.
 
adam6177 said:
It's the person that takes massive joy in pointing out the rules breach that gets me.....I sometimes wonder if they get "the fizz" or not.
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Or they just prefer to play by the refs as golf is a self governing game and it's everyone's responsibility to ensure all rules all followed

You could ask if you are willing to ignore this rule break what others would you be willing to ignore ?
 
adam6177 said:
It's the person that takes massive joy in pointing out the rules breach that gets me.....I sometimes wonder if they get "the fizz" or not.
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when playing socially its no big deal and a light hearted banter about it is fine, but once you start to play comps if you spot someone breaching a rule are don't say anything your are breaking the rules yourself.
 
We should not ignore the rules, even if you/we think it doesn’t matter. Lots of rules in golf don't make sense and if we can’t get the ones right, that are easy to implement, what chance have we got for the complicated rules. I would have no issue with mentioning it but I wouldn’t take any joy in pointing it out. I’ve been through the mill a few times for pointing out the rules, simple rules as well. This scenario of what does matter or what advantage is to be gained doesn’t hold water with me.
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Or they just prefer to play by the refs as golf is a self governing game and it's everyone's responsibility to ensure all rules all followed

You could ask if you are willing to ignore this rule break what others would you be willing to ignore ?
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Do you know all the rules Phil?
 
When I thought I had lost a ball on Saturday I went back and played another. We then found the first ball and my PPs thought I could just get on with it - playing that original ball. So many rule breaks - but of course I straightened them out. Besides it is quite possible one of them would have mentioned the scenario I had found myself to someone else and the rule breaks would become evident - then where do I stand in the comp and in the eyes of other members who would know that I would have known the rules.

In comps just stick as rigorously as you can to the rules., Even the 'silly' ones are there for very good reasons that we don't have to understand or argue with - just accept; it's not that difficult.
 
pbrown7582 said:
when playing socially its no big deal and a light hearted banter about it is fine, but once you start to play comps if you spot someone breaching a rule are don't say anything your are breaking the rules yourself.
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yeah I get that.... it's the manner that I've seen people do it in that is questionable and (as was my case) if you're a relative noob to comps it really does put you off of entering more comps as you don't want to spend 4-5 hours with the kind of people that appear to be watching your every move and take great joy in pointing out rules breaches.

My crossed paths with rules know it alls happened about 6 years ago and although I wasn't directly involved with the incidents it left a really bad taste to the point that I don't want to enter comps any more, I know a couple of other guys that also feel the same.

It really shouldn't be underestimated on how these kind of communications affect new members and how they integrate within a club.
 
Smiffy said:
If I were playing a friendly game or playing with people I know, I would have no hesitation in saying something.
But I'd feel a bit awkward as I'm playing with an "unknown" and and "unknown" that has already let me know (by his introduction on the tee) that he was a bit "stand offish".
If there were an "atmosphere" throughout the rest of the round, there's no doubt about it.... it would put me off my game.
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Would put me off my game even more thinking about all the things I could/should have said and when.

Reinforced everytime he did it again...

Conversely in a friendly game I wouldn't bother if someone doesn't want to bend over all the time - but would comment as we walked off the last green to the effect that he should be careful he doesn't carry this over as a habit into a competition and end up penalised.

As usual it is best to comment straight away to save the competitor an unnecessary penalty - in this case if he replaces it then proceeds correctly it's only 1 shot; cheap lesson!
 
adam6177 said:
yeah I get that.... it's the manner that I've seen people do it in that is questionable and (as was my case) if you're a relative noob to comps it really does put you off of entering more comps as you don't want to spend 4-5 hours with the kind of people that appear to be watching your every move and take great joy in pointing out rules breaches.

It really shouldn't be underestimated on how these kind of communications affect new members and how they integrate within a club.
Click to expand...

I joined a club this year and it was a bit like this. Not sure it was meant in any harsh way, but there are golfers that remember they were new once and will be very helpful in all regards (these are majority), others will feel it's your responsibility to know them and won't mince words and can quite frankly come off as a bit of an a r s e.

I wonder if as part of joining a new club, the club pro should quiz you on the rules, say 15-20 questions before allowing entrance into a comp, bit like a driving exam?
 
A couple of months ago in the medal a Cat 1 player in our group who I know a little picked up a FC's ball by mistake on the green - doesn't matter why , genuine mix up over marked balls etc etc. Anyhow he instantly realised his mistake and replaced the ball on the green. I was sure it was a penalty for him but he seemed very relaxed about it, made no mention of it on his score ( I was not marking his card ) and I bottled it and said nothing. It spoiled my whole round thinking this well-respected player had 'cheated' and I had not piped up about it. I agonized internally for the next 48 hours, consoled myself that he had a poor round anyhow so it made no difference etc. etc. Monday morning explaining what had happened to a work colleague he was pretty sure I was wrong and no penalty was due - only then did I finally look up the rules and see that indeed all was correct and it was me who had been wrong. So all that agonising for nothing at all. If only I'd politely enquired at the time, I'd have been politely corrected then and there and saved myself a lot of self-loathing and anguish.

The lesson for me is there is always a gentle and polite way to handle these situations and it is often in your own interests to address things directly and immediately.

Case in point on Saturday, FC was teed up 2" in front of the markers, I suggested he be careful where he tees the ball, he took a look, said 'thanks', moved the ball back 6" and the whole thing was resolved in less than 5 seconds.
 
ShankyBoy said:
I'd take the naive approach and ask "I didn't realise you can just roll it with your club, I thought it had to be marked so it stays within 6 inches" and see what he said.

Agree, you can't pick and choose rules.
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This is the sort of approach i would definitely take. If someone jumps in with the penalties there is 2 outcomes, A) You will get a reputation as someone who doesn't give the benefit of the doubt & B) people will just not want to play with you.
 
Difficult one given Smiffy's problem on the first with his PP's attitude. I can see the arguments of those that say rules are rules but I think there may have been more to be gained from having a word on the first occasion and then take it from there
 
My problem with the whole scenario is that he's moving the ball with a club
Is he just moving the ball once or several times to get this good lie..?
You're supposed to pick, clean and place not place 3 or 4 times.....
I'd argue that moving the ball with a club would mean moving the ball more than once.

I don't think marking is essential unless you pick your ball up and go to your bag to clean and then return to the spot...how do you know where your "mark" is..?
If you're simply picking and replacing an inch or 2 away then marking is a waste of time..
 
IanG said:
A couple of months ago in the medal a Cat 1 player in our group who I know a little picked up a FC's ball by mistake on the green - doesn't matter why , genuine mix up over marked balls etc etc. Anyhow he instantly realised his mistake and replaced the ball on the green. I was sure it was a penalty for him but he seemed very relaxed about it, made no mention of it on his score ( I was not marking his card ) and I bottled it and said nothing. It spoiled my whole round thinking this well-respected player had 'cheated' and I had not piped up about it. I agonized internally for the next 48 hours, consoled myself that he had a poor round anyhow so it made no difference etc. etc. Monday morning explaining what had happened to a work colleague he was pretty sure I was wrong and no penalty was due - only then did I finally look up the rules and see that indeed all was correct and it was me who had been wrong. So all that agonising for nothing at all. If only I'd politely enquired at the time, I'd have been politely corrected then and there and saved myself a lot of self-loathing and anguish.

The lesson for me is there is always a gentle and polite way to handle these situations and it is often in your own interests to address things directly and immediately.

Case in point on Saturday, FC was teed up 2" in front of the markers, I suggested he be careful where he tees the ball, he took a look, said 'thanks', moved the ball back 6" and the whole thing was resolved in less than 5 seconds.
Click to expand...

Good post
 
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