Playing the lie

[gasfreak]

Do you play the lie or do you put the ball on the little bit taller grass or anything to make you shot easier,not saying either way is bad but just wondering.Me I will play most lies unless it is really buried or something like that

[Brooklyn]

For me it depends on the type of game im playing... If i'm by myself i usually play the ball as it lies because when i golf alone im working on getting better. If im out with friends and we;re just playing for fun ill improve my lie a bit if i dont think i can hit it well from where its at. Its supposed to be fun so why give your self a harder time than you need to is my $.02

[gasfreak]

Yes that is pretty much the same way I play also,Thanks for the response

[Eore]

i play it as it lies unless it is in a divot. also, when i slice my ball into the REALLY TALL grass, close to the ground the grass layers over other layers of grass. i take the ball out of there, cuz i hurt my back trying to muscle a 5 iron out once. also, the chances of you actually advancing the ball are >20% once i actually hit the ball 3 feet forward and LOST it!

[lamebums]

If it's a serious round I'll play the ball as it lies. If the course is in bad shape, it's not serious, or the rules apply equally to everybody (if we all get to improve our lies), then I'll nudge it around.

No point in playing by the rules down to the T if 1) it isn't a serious/official round and 2) you aren't having fun. Just as long as you're aware that if you are in a money game or tourney you can't do it, and will probably affect your score.

[Shindig]

I seem to get consistently good lies, even in the rough, so I play it as it is. Sometimes I'll find my ball in a divot, but I keep it there (until I hit it out, of course).

[Leonardite]

Play it as it lies unless everybody in the group/tournament agrees on winter rules in the fairways only (the rough is supposed to be punishment so you can't improve you ball there IMO).

[chingali]

I always play it as it lies, even if I'm out on the course for a round on my own. The only exception to this is if I am playing at a course that has preferred lies on the fairway as a local rule.

When I was learning to play golf 25+ years ago my grandfather always told me to "don't touch it unless you are hitting it" as a general guideline and I've kept true to that.

[hawkeye]

In winter rules at the moment it's lift, clean and place within 6 inches at my home course. Without this I wouldn't play for 4/5 months of the year!

For the other 7/8 months I will play it as it lies 95% of the time. The only time I change the lie is if it's a practice game and i'll either do damage to myself and/or the ground. Yes it's a game and you're meant to enjoy it but it's also a challenge!

[joseywales]

Eore, i clicked on your course site link. That looks like a pretty sweet track.

[DirtCheap]

The course I play the most was a cow pasture just a few years ago. The grass is s-l-o-w-ly coming back in. The earth is well packed and in places is like concrete.
On the score card it specifically says, "Due to continuing course improvements, you may improve your lie, but not your situation."

[Eore]

Eore, i clicked on your course site link. That looks like a pretty sweet track.

it is, but that long grass is killer

[joseywales]

Dirtcheap, have you played any of the courses around Bentonville that are WalMart corporate courses. I was over there last summer for the OSU/ARK baseball regional and was going to play one but got rained out so I never was able to. I can't remember the name but I want to say it was Eagle's nest or something like that. It was supposed to be very hilly and recently redesigned. What do you know about any of the better courses in your area?

[Dent]

If it's a serious round I'll play the ball as it lies. If the course is in bad shape, it's not serious, or the rules apply equally to everybody (if we all get to improve our lies), then I'll nudge it around.

Well Said! x2

[Leek]

Do you play the lie or do you put the ball on the little bit taller grass or anything to make you shot easier,not saying either way is bad but just wondering.Me I will play most lies unless it is really buried or something like that

That would be a two stroke penalty. In other words, if you do that and didn't take the penalty, you cheated.

[DirtCheap]

Dirtcheap, have you played any of the courses around Bentonville that are WalMart corporate courses.

I don't know of any Wal-Mart "corporate courses."

That being said, within 10 miles of the Wal-Mart home office there are no less then 15 courses. (Lots of money in this area... none of it mine. ) If you ever make it over this way again, let me know and we'll try to work in a round.

[golf_junkie27]

I always play it as it lies. The only time I move the ball is when it is plugged on the fairway.

Like my brother told me "You don't like your lie? You should not have hit it, there."

As others have stated, you want to improve it? Sure, that's fine. Just don't keep a score. I actually stopped playing with two of my friends because they were constantly using their "foot wedge" and re-hitting. Drove me nuts and made the round, longer.

[Finn07]

Always, always, always play the ball as it lies. It would be cheating otherwise.