Really,....? Bill Haas,...? Hit a coin on a putt,...?

I've hit coins and made the putt. Mabye he was trying a bank shot. That was a big mistake on a day full of mistakes. He just seemed like he didn't have it all day, but I don't think I've ever seen a pro hit someone elses coin.

Haas suffered that malady in pro golf: trying to follow up a very low round with another good round of golf. How many times have you seen the guy who shoots 63 follow it up with 10+ more strokes.

Saw the coin deal and just another mistake by Bill. Shouldn't have ever allowed that to be anywhere near his line.

In the final round of the 1990 Masters, on the 14th, with Ray Floyd leading the tournament, his chip shot was rolling right for the hole with perfect pace.  As it neared the hole, it just bumped the edge of John Huston's coin and then hung on the lip for what would have been a birdie.  Huston had asked Ray if he wanted the coin moved prior to the shot! 

FLoyd later lost to Sir Nick in a playoff.  But that year, Ray won the par three, so he couldn't win the tournament.

stopped using coins awhile ago - nerdy, but those low profile plastic markers do a better job.....wonder why pros don't want to use them

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Martin 

stopped using coins awhile ago - nerdy, but those low profile plastic markers do a better job.....wonder why pros don't want to use them

i don't know what you mean by "better job" - i've never been able to use the plastic markers effectively. the small plastic nub that is supposed to keep them in one place doesn't penetrate the ground deep enough (or at all sometimes) and could very well blow around the green if a stiff breeze came up. people use coins because they're heavier, easier to find in your pocket/on your hat/on your pitch-mark tool, and have some sort of meaning to a player (lucky, ect).

It was a mental error on his part. Though, with Poa Annua greens most putts look like they hit ball marks anyways, so you never know ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhanson 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Martin 

stopped using coins awhile ago - nerdy, but those low profile plastic markers do a better job.....wonder why pros don't want to use them

 

i don't know what you mean by "better job" - i've never been able to use the plastic markers effectively. the small plastic nub that is supposed to keep them in one place doesn't penetrate the ground deep enough (or at all sometimes) and could very well blow around the green if a stiff breeze came up. people use coins because they're heavier, easier to find in your pocket/on your hat/on your pitch-mark tool, and have some sort of meaning to a player (lucky, ect).

I've used them in 40 mph winds in Colorado with no problem.  Unless you play on awfully shaggy greens, the pin holds it in place quite well, and the thin plastic certainly has less of an effect on a rolling ball if it should hit one.  That said, my normal marker is a lot larger (poker chips with the logos from various courses I've played, or a couple of unusual coins), but I still keep one of the plastic markers in my pocket to use when I'm near someone's line.

One of my courses in Germany used to give out those ball markers (plastic). They're very good - very thin profile. Never a problem even for a golf ball to roll over.  Pro player need to put those nickels and quarters away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Martin 

One of my courses in Germany used to give out those ball markers (plastic). They're very good - very thin profile. Never a problem even for a golf ball to roll over.  Pro player need to put those nickels and quarters away.

Right.  Because one guy did something careless all pros should change what they do.

For those that didnt get to see it heres the video.

Looks to me as if the same putt without the coin would have missed the hole too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDutch 

Looks to me as if the same putt without the coin would have missed the hole too.

Me too.  It looks as though he hit the left edge of the coin (which, if anything could only nudge his ball further left) and it also appears (although less so because the video stops) that he misses to the right.

If that is true, I stand by my original theory ... the coin wasn't on his line and he just pushed the putt.  In fact, if I'm right about that, then it's possibly intentional that he didn't ask the guy to move it.  Maybe he's thinking that if he pushes the putt, the coin might knock it back on line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David in FL 


The "job" of my ball marker is to mark my ball. Nothing else. I prefer something large enough that I can see it from a distance, as when I'm looking at my line from behind the hole.

I'm more than willing to move it for a fellow competitor if asked to do so.......

I didn't realize there was a choice. I thought you had to move it if asked to do so or else your are disqualified?

He should have it moved. just stupid not do to so.