Interesting situation

[DGart09]

Hey guys,

I recently got done with a round where I was playing with my buddies. We played for just a little bit of money, 10 dollars each and all goes to the winner after 9. All seemed to be going well, except for the end where one of my buddies, the one in charge of the score card, claimed he won. Everyone agreed, except me, because I kept my own score card in secret to try to verify the results. (If I'm giving someone 10 dollars, they should have earned it). However, he claimed he had won, where my score card showed someone else. I did not mention it to him until we were all leaving where I just hinted at knowing he had cheated. He just shrugged his shoulders and left. What would you have done? Called him out right in front of the other two guys? What if it wasn't for money? I guess it's me, but I hate it when people fudge their numbers, even if it is just to make them look better. This game is all about honesty, but I don't know anymore...

[Smallville]

In any game where the scores matter, the shots should be counted correctly. My question is, why did you have to keep a scorecard in secret? And why was only one person keeping score? Why didn't everyone keep score? Or at least, if you were riding, each cart should have had a scorecard.

I'd have called him out in front of everyone if you were positive you were right. At the very least, if you gamble with this guy again, I'd make sure everyone kept a scorecard.

[rssgolf]

I too would have called him out in front of everyone, but if you weren't comfortable doing that, just dropping a hint like, "I also kept score and came up with a different winner, did miss a score somewhere" then compare your scorecards.

I personally don't have a problem with people misrepresenting their scores when they are playing a regular round, because it only comes back to hurt them, but when you are playing for money that is a different story.

[Jay-Bird]

This is why it is difficult to play with/against people who make up their own rules (see the entire "Do you really play golf?" thread). Make up your own rules now, suffer later.

The score should have been settled and agreed upon at the end of the round. If you are the only one who noticed a discrepancy, the onus is on you. It may not have been easy, but I would have pointed it out. You don't necessarily have to "call him out" - rather calmy say that you don't remember the score being as it is written and open a dialogue - get everyone else involved.

[Fraser]

That's why you score for eachother and swap cards

[dave s]

First and foremost, golf is supposed to be fun and not (usually) a source of income among hobbiests. Secondly, it would be the last time I played with someone who is trying to make money off me by 'fudging' a score!

Not sure if you said he had YOUR score recorded incorrectly (overstated) or you were questioning the accuracy of HIS score, (possibly UNDERstated) on the 'official' card. If he scored YOU incorrectly, you probably should have produced your 'secret card' and corrected the numbers on his 'official' card immediately.

If you decide to play with him again, I'd be keeping HIS score on EVERY hole and let him know this up front.

dave

[Smallville]

"Called him out" might have been too tough a term, I just used the term the OP said. But yeah Jay's right, everyone should have talked about it before everyone left.

I don't, haven't and "most likely" never will play for money because I'm not good enough and golf costs enough as it is, even another ten is 20 percent of what I would pay to play on a weekend at some of the medium priced courses here.

[Dub]

This is why it is difficult to play with/against people who make up their own rules (see the entire "Do you really play golf?" thread). Make up your own rules now, suffer later.

Complete agreement.

I've seen even the best of friends get riled up furiously over such situations.

[alf174]

That's why you score for eachother and swap cards

yep, or have two scorekeepers and all numbers must match.

I would have challenged him on it.

[DGart09]

The reason I kept my own card was due to the that I normally like to keep them and look over them once the season has past in order to determine how I had improved. Normally I will keep my own score but for this round, I thought, what the heck, I will keep everyone else's scores as well. This will be the last time I play for money. This was my first time, and I was hesistant. I'm not a huge fan of bringing money into my hobbies. I enjoy it more when I'm just out there to have fun. However, I thought $10 would be work getting the guys off my back.

Knowing what I know now, I will probably just lay low, not mention it and just not play for money. $40, the pot, is not worth possibly losing a golf partner. I agree with some of the other posters on this board in that, if it is just for fun, his fudging his scores will only hurt him.

[pjsnyc]

It might be too late now to call him out on it, but if the person in question wants to play for money again, I'd def hint at the discrepancy...even if its just to see his reaction (you know - the looking down, avoiding eye contact, etc)

[mellojoe]

I too would have called him out in front of everyone, but if you weren't comfortable doing that, just dropping a hint like, "I also kept score and came up with a different winner, did miss a score somewhere" then compare your scorecards.

This.

Plain and simple, without being aggressive, you could have simply said, "My scores aren't matching yours, what did I do wrong?" And this would give him the opportunity to admit he made a mistake on one of the holes or show you where you made a mistake on yours. But, it would also be a nice way to double-check each other. Who knows... maybe he made a legitimate mistake?

[steve8820]

I would have called him out right there. Why did you pay the guy when you knew he cheated? You should only play for money against guys that you know play by the rules and are honest. Some of my best friends I will not play against for money because I have to watch them like a hawk. It really makes for a stressful round. Some of the nicest people in the world cheat like hell on the course when money is on the line.....

[Stillhacken]

Isnt it quite possible the guy made a simple mistake?

You should have called him on it and found out if he was right or if you were right. Your card might have been wrong if people werent reporting their scores to you.

And keeping your own score card doesnt have to be a secret.

[907golfer12]

I think you should have said something like "I got some different scores from you, may I compare our scorecards because I think I got some of the holes wrong?" By saying that you think you are the one at fault he won't get mad or anything, and then when you guys have different scores written down for any of the players you ask that player what he got on that hole.