What's the big deal?

[Eore]

I played in a tournement today, and there was a kid who got furious because another kid stepped in his line.

i NEVER step in anybody's line, but i don't get why so many people get upset over this.

i've heard people say that the spike marks effect the putt, but couldn't somebody in the group ahead of you been standing in your "line to-be"?

just wanted some responses to see what the big deal is.

[MrKadash]

I would make sure the person knew he stepped in my line, but I wouldn't be an ass about it. That's one of the fundamental no-no's in golf, and I would hope everyone knows it. The fact that someone from a group ahead or anywhere else is beside the point, which is that he should know golf etiquette .

[x-forged]

Its etiquette and common sense on the course. I personally couldn't care less if someone steps in my line, it just doesn't bother me, people usually don't anyways, and I don't think it affects the putt too much anyways. There are certain things that people are anal about, could be shadows, talking, stepping in lines, etc.

Bottom line is be courteous and even though it doesn't bother you, be aware and be respectful to what other players are particular about.

If this guy got furious and started yelling, then thats stupid, he should have asked nicely and reminded him not to step in his line in a cordial way.

[JackieTreehorn]

I personally could care less...many people have stepped all around the hole all day before I got there! It does show a lack golf etiquette though.

[Eore]

thats what i kind of thought, that it was just ettiquette.

but this kid was really mad. he shot an 81 though. but i see lots of guys at my club get mad at their playing parters as well.

[iacas]

  JackieTreehorn said:

I personally could care less.

Well, if you could care less, why don't you care less? Why do you care so much?

But hey, whatever, ahem . I don't think people stepping in lines matters much. It can if they drag their feet, the greens are soggy, or they have metal spikes. BUT, I still take great care not to do it, and it's a matter of etiquette that the other person should have observed. You'll note on the PGA Tour they don't even step on the THROUGH line of another player's putt. It's just courtesy. No need to be an ass about it, but doesn't mean you can't get mildly upset.

[CG031]

I understand where the kid is coming from, but even in tournaments I always say, "don't worry about my line..." Most of the time I'm playing on public courses, so the greens aren't good in the first place. If I think someone's "soft spike" is going to hurt it, so be it. If it was a metal spike, I'd be more cautious and get more upset if someone stepped in my line...

[Ben]

  Eore said:

i've heard people say that the spike marks effect the putt, but couldn't somebody in the group ahead of you been standing in your "line to-be"?

I've always thought that too.

Alright, so it is a bit of bad form. The putter should try and focus a little more on the putt. Yeah, you got stepped in, if you put a good stroke on the putt it should go in anyway. If you think otherwise, there's no way the putt will drop anyway.

[dd-11]

Yes, it's totally over-blown. It's more ettiquette than anything else.

[MellowYellow]

Being in Seattle I golf a LOT in the rain, like iacas said, when it's soggy, I HAVE noticed a rather LARGE footprint stay for a few minutes when someone stepped in my line. I didnt get pissed but I definitely said something along the lines of "Whoa, now I have to putt over a speed bumb? Comeon you just saw me 3 putt 2 holes ago!" We laughed about it, but he still got the point. I think generally you can't even TELL if someone stepped in your line, but when you DO step in someone's line it's almost saying either " I have no clue what I'm doing out here" or " I am only worried about my own shot and my own ball"

Obviously accidents happen but if someone really went nuts like that, unless it really made a big indent in his line, he was probably just venting frustration from some other shots on the guy, or pictures himself as some godly PGA pro and is taking it a little too seriously.

[chingali]

I am always careful to not step on somebody's line and just about everyone I ever play with is as well. If it does bother you and you notice someone do it either to you or another person in your group, next time you are having a putt near the hole make a point of asking someone if you are are close to their line, even if you aren't anywhere near it. Doing this may remind the offender to be careful, or perhaps they honestly didn't know.

[BSweet]

I used to caddy at a country club and the one thing some would always bitch about is "Bellys or butts". In tournaments I always make sure I do not stand in their vision, but personally I think it's a little overated.

I agree, stepping in someone's line probably doesn't matter too much unless it's wet.

[Finn07]

Just a matter of etiquette thats all, no need to get very upset at it though. Like Rotella says, "Anger is the enemy of focus." Did the kid who got mad make the putt, im guessing he did not.

[mikelz]

  Eore said:

I played in a tournement today, and there was a kid who got furious because another kid stepped in his line.

The big deal to that guy might be the foot impression left by the offender.

[DJYoshi]

yeah...common courtesy not to step in the line of someone else. That's why I'll just walk around people while they're reading putts.

BUT I don't really mind if people step in my line. Do you see how nasty some of those greens are on tour when the last 5 groups are coming in? But they still make the putts.

I wouldn't step in someone's line, but i also wouldn't kill someone or be a di** if someone stepped in mine. It happens at least twice a week to me.. i just say: don't worry about it as I step up and brick the 7 footer

[DDBowdoin]

its an ettiquite issue but going crazy over someone stepping in your line is a bit much...

if we were all using metal spikes I might be bothered but I honestly dont believe that softspikes really dont do any damage

its like marking your ball, its just something you do in golf

[sonicblue]

If someone did it to me in an actual important atmosphere (which I don't usually play), I would just kinda say "(name), watch your step...," while subtly pointing to my mark or my line. They say sorry, I say no sweat, we carry on, and hopefully they pay attention next time. It's not so much that it's a definite impact to your putt, but - apples to apples - you have to believe a line not-freshly-stepped-in would roll truer than one that was, so etiquette is to give your playing partners that respect.

[dro]

Yeah I think it really is an etiquette issue for the most part. I always walk around other's putts and make sure not to step in anyone's line but if someone does it to me I don't really see the big deal. I guess I just make sure not to because I know it bothers alot of people.

The only time it does bother me and it did bother me yesterday, is when I am going to for a tough birdie or par putt and I really need it (who doesn't need it though) and the green is soggy and wet from rain. THEN it does leave a nice implant on the grren that could effect a putts outcome.

But otherwise, go right ahead.