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How to Handle Players who Do Not Follow Rules of Golf


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Erik is right that I am interested in the Rules of Golf. [quote name="iacas" url="/t/83236/re-dropping-why-2-club-lengths/18#post_1168826"]The Rules of Golf clearly interest you.[/quote] If you were in my situation, what would you do? I try to follow the rules as closely as possible (and/or as well as I remember) during all my competitive rounds and almost all my casual rounds. When I play in non-competitive situations, I rarely see others follow the rules. This doesn't bother me although I do think it does reflect somewhat on the rules themselves (as well as the players who don't follow them). What is more concerning for me is how the rules are followed (or not followed) in the Wednesday Men's League that I play in- from my observations, more bad players tend to break more rules while the better players tend to follow the rules, with a few exceptions. The most common rule violation I see with the better players is how they take drops from lateral hazards when there is a cart path nearby (about 12 holes on the course we play). Rarely, if ever, have I seen a player take their two club lengths and drop the ball on the cart path. More typical, I see them drop it on the opposite side of the cart path even when this is more than 2 club lengths from their entry point into the hazard- in some cases this is where they likely would have ended up had they dropped on the path and then taken relief separately from the cart path, but in other cases, I suspect their ball would have rolled back towards the hazard and, if the cart path was interfering, their nearest point of relief would be on the hazard side of the path (which could lead to them having a awkward or restricted swing depending on the hole and which side of the ball they stand). Complicating things is the fact that a number of hazards are only defined by the score card/topography and do not have a painted red line, so we are only guestimating exactly where the hazard starts. Also, the employees running the league either don't have a good understanding of the rules and/or the ability to get all league members to comply with the rules (although they have gone to the effort of attempting highlight various rules on our weekly handout). While I want to compete on a level playing field, I don't want to get the reputation for be an a__hole who calls out everyone for their rules violations. This is the closest course to where I live and, overall, I enjoy competing in the league and socializing with league members.

:mizuno: MP-52 5-PW, :cobra: King Snake 4 i 
:tmade: R11 Driver, 3 W & 5 W, :vokey: 52, 56 & 60 wedges
:seemore: putter

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Erik is right that I am interested in the Rules of Golf.

I don't know what that has to do with the rest of the post.

You have a lot of options. None of them really have anything to do with the Rules of Golf (so I'm moving this thread). They're all interpersonal type questions, or social questions. Like:

  • Don't play in the league if it bothers you.
  • Speak up.
  • Ask that your course properly mark hazards (though it's not required under the ROG, as hazards are defined in the ROG).
  • Call out players or don't.

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:

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I don't know what that has to do with the rest of the post. You have a lot of options. None of them really have anything to do with the Rules of Golf (so I'm moving this thread). They're all interpersonal type questions, or social questions. Like: [LIST] [*] Don't play in the league if it bothers you. [*] Speak up. [*] Ask that your course properly mark hazards (though it's not required under the ROG, as hazards are defined in the ROG). [*] Call out players or don't. [/LIST]

I think a large part of my interest in the rules comes from the fact that I see so few players actually following the rules. If everyone followed the rules, I would be quiet and do the same. However, I want to compete on a level playing field and would like to rules that are followed by a higher % of players. In some cases, I realize that the problem is NOT with the rules themselves, but with the players who fail to follow them. In other cases, I think a different set of rules would be better followed. It doesn't bother me enough not to play in the league, as I enjoy it overall. I have spoken up some at the course and also on this site regarding the rules (which should be followed more closely at our course, but which could also be changed to be more readily followed). I have also talked with some players who I have seen break the rules.

:mizuno: MP-52 5-PW, :cobra: King Snake 4 i 
:tmade: R11 Driver, 3 W & 5 W, :vokey: 52, 56 & 60 wedges
:seemore: putter

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It doesn't bother me enough not to play in the league, as I enjoy it overall. I have spoken up some at the course and also on this site regarding the rules (which should be followed more closely at our course, but which could also be changed to be more readily followed). I have also talked with some players who I have seen break the rules.

... and what has the result of these been?

-- Michael | My swing! 

"You think you're Jim Furyk. That's why your phone is never charged." - message from my mother

Driver:  Titleist 915D2.  4-wood:  Titleist 917F2.  Titleist TS2 19 degree hybrid.  Another hybrid in here too.  Irons 5-U, Ping G400.  Wedges negotiable (currently 54 degree Cleveland, 58 degree Titleist) Edel putter. 

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In other cases, I think a different set of rules would be better followed.

I think that's the fundamental point of disagreement.

I do not think players who do not follow the current Rules of Golf would follow a different set of Rules unless they were so simple as to be basically useless and/or significantly change the game.

Note: this is not an invitation to begin talking about that. Stick to the topic YOU created here. The topic is NOT about changing the behavior of golfers en masse.

... and what has the result of these been?

You ask too much. He asked a question and fails to tell us that he's already tried some solutions, then when he mentions them, fails to tell us the result of those attempts.

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:

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... and what has the result of these been?

I think I posted a version of this a few years ago when I received it, but here is a reply I got- "You’ve mentioned a lot about USGA rules etc. etc. however we have the right to run “our” league the way we wish to run it. If you are proposing all the USGA rules etc. you can kick league for SIX, it’ll be gone. There will be no chance for prize money, you’ll need greater policing of play on the course etc. the list goes on. We run our league as a locals league, it has been this way for many years, most people enjoy it and we have greater numbers playing than we’ve had. My encouragement to you is to take these points on board consider what we are really playing for and enjoy what we do and have done. Regards! ___________ Competition and Golf Operations Manager"

:mizuno: MP-52 5-PW, :cobra: King Snake 4 i 
:tmade: R11 Driver, 3 W & 5 W, :vokey: 52, 56 & 60 wedges
:seemore: putter

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I think I posted a version of this a few years ago when I received it, but here is a reply I got-

"You’ve mentioned a lot about USGA rules etc. etc. however we have the right to run “our” league the way we wish to run it. If you are proposing all the USGA rules etc. you can kick league for SIX, it’ll be gone. There will be no chance for prize money, you’ll need greater policing of play on the course etc. the list goes on. We run our league as a locals league, it has been this way for many years, most people enjoy it and we have greater numbers playing than we’ve had.

My encouragement to you is to take these points on board consider what we are really playing for and enjoy what we do and have done.


Then why ask us?

Play in the league or don't. That seems to be your only remaining choice.

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:

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I am a member of "after work" league ... I jokingly call it competitive cheating ... I rarely see balls that are picked up handled correctly and OB, etc ... However, my expectations of this league is just that ... so in a very perverted way, the playing field level its self out. I play mainly to have a tee time every Tuesday evening and with a discounted price and could careless what position I am in the league To stop rambling I signed up for the league knowing how it was run ... so I can not complain, 99% of the time when in doubt of a rule I ask the team I am playing against how they want me to play it ... just to see how close they come. In the end, I play by the rules as I know them and many of them I have learned right here on TST. When I disagree with someone interpretation I ask for clarification in polite way ... but that is me ... over half the field in this league hardly know any of the rules in truth. (But again I signed up knowing this and we are not talking big bucks here)

Ken Proud member of the iSuk Golf Association ... Sponsored by roofing companies across the US, Canada, and the UK

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Dude.....there is no way you are very popular at the club with this attitude. Why don't you join an elite, less informal league.
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I quit a league a few years ago because they allowed a few of the "regulars" to be creative with the rules. If I play with some one I don't know, and there is nothing on the line between us, I could care less what their version of the rules are. If there is a beverage, or something else on the line is  involved, then the rules will be adhere to.

All of my money matches are with good friends and/or relatives, so gamesmanship is just part of having fun with us. We even it all out at the 19th.

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Then why ask us? Play in the league or don't. That seems to be your only remaining choice.

While I believe all players in a competition should follow the same set of rules, I don't think the current rules of golf are perfect and could be improved upon. I 100% agree that our league should either follow the current ROG 100% and/or be very clear about any local rules that they wish to override the current rules. 2 years have past since I received that email- while the same guy is in charge, he has an assistant who doesn't know that much about golf but has seemed willing to learn and has made some attempts to inform the players of the rules (via our weekly handouts). With the better players who I play with, I have had a number of discussions about rulings that come up at our course. Most of these guys are receptive to what I have to say, but I think it is human nature to want to follow the same (more liberal rules) that they see others following. One reason I titled this thread "Erik is right" instead of the moderators title ("how to handle players who do not follow rules of golf") is because the purpose of thread was a much to explain why I am interested in the rules (and why I think some should change) rather than strictly asking advice on how to handle cheaters. Based on my experience at a lot of different golf courses with a lot of different levels of golfers is that most don't follow the rules, so I don't think this is unique to my course.

:mizuno: MP-52 5-PW, :cobra: King Snake 4 i 
:tmade: R11 Driver, 3 W & 5 W, :vokey: 52, 56 & 60 wedges
:seemore: putter

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If I play with some one I don't know, and there is nothing on the line between us, I could care less what their version of the rules are. If there is a beverage, or something else on the line is  involved, then the rules will be adhere to.  All of my money matches are with good friends and/or relatives, so gamesmanship is just part of having fun with us. We even it all out at the 19th.

This is well said. Out of all the people I play with Cipher is probably the only one who follows the rules properly. Most of my buddies play just for fun. They take drop when they should going back to re tee. It's not that they are maliciously cheating they just don't know all the rules or care to learn them.

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I think it's proper conduct to follow the rules but most players might just be practicing or having a bit of fun! If your playing a competition, you could be playing someone who has just started or might not be aware of certain rules, it's your responsibility then to remind them of the rules, be polite & no one can say anything :D
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While I believe all players in a competition should follow the same set of rules, I don't think the current rules of golf are perfect and could be improved upon.

That's not the topic here, and we won't be discussing it as that's the topic of virtually every other thread you start.

One reason I titled this thread "Erik is right" instead of the moderators title ("how to handle players who do not follow rules of golf") is because the purpose of thread was a much to explain why I am interested in the rules (and why I think some should change) rather than strictly asking advice on how to handle cheaters.

You failed to communicate that clearly, spending most of the time talking about the situation we're discussing (i.e. "the topic"), and your thread title sucked for search terms, too.

Leave the league, shut up and play, or slowly try to change the culture of the league. Those seem to be your choices. Question answered?

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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You failed to communicate that clearly, spending most of the time talking about the situation we're discussing (i.e. "the topic"), and your thread title sucked for search terms, too. Leave the league, shut up and play, or slowly try to change the culture of the league. Those seem to be your choices. Question answered?

Not really. As others have pointed out, the problem is not exclusive to my league. Maybe you can rename the topic to "Why do so few golfers follow the rules and what should be done about it?"

:mizuno: MP-52 5-PW, :cobra: King Snake 4 i 
:tmade: R11 Driver, 3 W & 5 W, :vokey: 52, 56 & 60 wedges
:seemore: putter

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Not really. As others have pointed out, the problem is not exclusive to my league. Maybe you can rename the topic to "Why do so few golfers follow the rules and what should be done about it?"

Absolutely nothing.

If people want to go out on the course and just play what every form of golf they want then that is fine. If you want to be in leagues that have certain rules, like all OB is considered a lateral hazard then that is fine.

If you want to compete in USGA handicap matches then you must follow the USGA rules of golf.

I see it as, the USGA is one BIG golf league.

I just think people need to realize what form of golf they are playing if they want to expand into playing by USGA rules.

Matt Dougherty, P.E.
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Dude.....there is no way you are very popular at the club with this attitude. Why don't you join an elite, less informal league.

There are 3 leagues in my area but the one I play is the closest to me, I enjoy the course and most of the guys, has good tee time availability and it is least expensive for me to play. One league has very few players in it and the other does not offer any sort of season pass (and can have quite a tight tee sheet). I resent that my choices if I stay in the league are: 1. Cheat to attempt to level the playing field 2. Try to get 30 to 50 players, some of whom I don't know personally, to try to follow one set of rules. (I think this is the attitude you are saying will make me unpopular at the club) 3. Follow the USGA rules knowing that this will put me at a competitive disadvantage to most players. 4. Follow what seems to be the rules that the majority of the more honest players follow. (somewhat similar to #1, but not as extreme) [quote name="Patch" url="/t/83243/how-to-handle-players-who-do-not-follow-rules-of-golf#post_1169025"]I quit a league a few years ago because they allowed a few of the "regulars" to be creative with the rules. [/quote] Yes, what I dislike about our league is that not everyone is following the same rules. [quote name="saevel25" url="/t/83243/how-to-handle-players-who-do-not-follow-rules-of-golf#post_1169047"] Absolutely nothing.  If people want to go out on the course and just play what every form of golf they want then that is fine. If you want to be in leagues that have certain rules, like all OB is considered a lateral hazard then that is fine.  If you want to compete in USGA handicap matches then you must follow the USGA rules of golf.  I see it as, the USGA is one BIG golf league.  I just think people need to realize what form of golf they are playing if they want to expand into playing by USGA rules.  [/quote] I wouldn't have an issue if everyone in the league followed some non-USGA form of the rules, but unfortunately, the acceptable rules for our league vary from group to group. We play against the entire field, so I think it is only fair that everyone follows the same set of rules (whatever they may be).

:mizuno: MP-52 5-PW, :cobra: King Snake 4 i 
:tmade: R11 Driver, 3 W & 5 W, :vokey: 52, 56 & 60 wedges
:seemore: putter

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