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Best Ball Tourney and Golf Ethics


chriskzoo
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Read this knowing that I am a HUGE stickler for the rules, other than not requiring people to re-tee if they hit it OB in a casual round (i.e. just drop one).

So my buddy and I play in this tournament every year sponsored by the our state golf association that is a 2-Man Net Best Ball tournament, which leads me to a question of ethics on how you play the round. Keep in mind that I would normally not endorse this behavior, but I'm wondering if there is something expressly against the rules in doing this.

Let's say we are both playing the hole and he has 15 feet for birdie while I have a 20 footer for par. Obviously the best thing for the team is to give him the best chance to make his birdie, so is there anything (other than being called an ******* by other teams) against me putting my ball such that it comes to rest behind his ball - thus I can putt first and give him the line? And I'm talking about doing this in a way that would be completely obvious (i.e. putting sideways no where toward the hole if necessary).

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At a certain point it becomes a little ridiculous. It's probably not against any rules, but it may slow down play and anger your opponents. I've done it once sort of by accident, but my partner's ball was on the other side of the hole...not when his ball was to my right/left.

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Wouldn't be illegal, but it would anger the Golf gods, etc.

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My Dad and me played in a 4-man best ball tourney and one of the guys in the 4-some in front of us everytime they got on the green and chose what ball they were playing, he would take his and roll it towards the hole. A LOT more obvious then what you are asking. Ethically, I don't think its the right thing to do, best ball is to give golf the quality of playing as a team.
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Let's say we are both playing the hole and he has 15 feet for birdie while I have a 20 footer for par. Obviously the best thing for the team is to give him the best chance to make his birdie, so is there anything (other than being called an ******* by other teams) against me putting my ball such that it comes to rest behind his ball - thus I can putt first and give him the line?

If the other team had any sort of brains, they'd concede your putt for bogey.

Duh. And you're supposed to try to play golf. To make the best score you can. So you'd be a pretty big douche to try that kind of crap.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
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While it may not be against the letter of the rules, it is certainly against the spirit of the rules. And yes, you not only would be called an a-hole, but should be reported to the tournament rules official for delaying play. At a few courses I have played at, it might also get you a good ass whuppin in the parking lot after the round.

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NEVER anger the golf Gods. They strike back with a vengence!

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Read this knowing that I am a HUGE stickler for the rules, other than not requiring people to re-tee if they hit it OB in a casual round (i.e. just drop one).

if you tried id putt right on your line and use my bag as a marker

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You'd get a bad rap in the clubhouse from your playing partners & once branded as a cheater etc. even if you didn't do it, you have that reputation for the rest of your life.
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I'm lost in your logic of wanting to putt behind his to give him the line. I mean I get it but it makes no sense because if you made your par putt it would give him a better chance to make a good run at his birdie. Even if you putt behind his mark and you misread it, push or pull it than it was pointless. Plus I have to agree anyone with a brain would just concede your bogey putt.
Driver: i15, 3 wood: G10, Hybrid: Nickent 4dx, Irons: Ping s57, Wedges: Mizuno MPT 52, 56, 60, Putter: XG #9 
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I thought best ball was everyone got to putt where the best shot was or ball was. If you putt your ball in for par first wouldn't that negate his chance at birdie?

Driver: 9.5 Titleist 910, Fairway Woods: G2 3 wood and 5 woods
Irons: Titleist CB712
Wedges: 52 - Vokey, 56 - Vokey Raw,
Putter: Odyssey White Hot #1
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Better ball or best ball counts the better or best score on the hole. So even if he made his par and then his partner made birdie the birdie would be the score counted on the hole.
Driver: i15, 3 wood: G10, Hybrid: Nickent 4dx, Irons: Ping s57, Wedges: Mizuno MPT 52, 56, 60, Putter: XG #9 
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I thought best ball was everyone got to putt where the best shot was or ball was. If you putt your ball in for par first wouldn't that negate his chance at birdie?

Not quite. In best ball, everyone plays their ball to the cup, unless it stops mattering. So if we're partners, and I've got a longer par putt than your birdie putt, and I make it, you still have your chance at birdie. If you make the bird, we get it. If you miss, I'm already in at par, so you can just pick up instead of having to make the putt coming back.

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I thought best ball was everyone got to putt where the best shot was or ball was. If you putt your ball in for par first wouldn't that negate his chance at birdie?

That's a scramble.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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Man, that just sounds wrong wrong wrong... Definitely not in the spirit of the game... This will certainly anger the golf gods... And we all know that's a bad thing... Play hard, enjoy the competition, and see what happens

apex53
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I may be in the minority here, but I would consider that strategy. As long as you aren't being ridiculous, obnoxious, etc.

Then again, i've never played a best ball tourney so.

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Got it, thanks

Driver: 9.5 Titleist 910, Fairway Woods: G2 3 wood and 5 woods
Irons: Titleist CB712
Wedges: 52 - Vokey, 56 - Vokey Raw,
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Go for it. Everyone says that golf is a mental game, but when you try to use your brain and out think your opponents, people whine that it's "against the spirit of the rules". Don't be a dick about it, of course, but do it and make your opponents learn their lesson. They'll know better in the future, and you might get yourself a birdie on the hole.
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Note: This thread is 5370 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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