Rules of the game.....

[David in FL]

I can say i don't think i have ever seen that. However, i very often see them play 2-2 or 3-3, half court, winner gets ball, no free throws, one pass minimum before shooting. I'm pretty sure those are not in the rule book for basketball but nobody cares. Why? Because they aren't hurting anybody and they are just having fun.

Seems to me that what you're referring to are different formats of the game. Golf has them too. Match play vs stroke play.....even differing games within the formats, 4 ball, scramble, alternate shot, etc.... and while one format may have slightly different rules from another, they still have rules. This picking and choosing which rules to follow and which to ignore just perplexes me. Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to be judgemental.......live and let live. If people are supporting the sport and the local courses, that's great. I'm just curious why so many people feel that they couldn't have the same fun playing by the rules. Is it because their scores would likely be higher and they would somehow translate that into a less pleasurable experience?

[iacas]

Seems to me that what you're referring to are different

A scramble isn't "golf." Match and stroke play are covered under the Rules of Golf - a "scramble" isn't.

Alternate shot - it still follows the rules of golf. And four ball is just a means of keeping score - you also still follow the rules. A scramble does not follow the rules. So I disagree with the idea. Golf has different formats, you're fine there. But some formats are still "golf" and others are just made up for giggles and don't follow the Rules of Golf.

[lhshurdl3r]

Seems to me that what you're referring to are different

I doubt its so much as people picking and choosing rules, but unknowingly breaking a rule they didn't fully understand or know. But sometimes if you're out just to have fun with your buddies and whatnot, stay loose and enjoy it. Albeit, if it's in a tourney or a match I'm going to make sure I follow the rules... why? Because there are consequences. Not really any consequences if I'm out on a weekday afternoon with my co-workers and I fluff up a lie or unless we all agree on what we can't do. But it's to each his own, really.

edit: i don't keep an accurate handicap, mainly b/c i fluff a lie once in a while and actually.. when i hit into a hazard, i rehit from that same location. that number i have posted is to tell you i'm a hack and aren't that good lol

[MiniMoe]

I have never really cared what anyone else does. If you are playing against me, we set the standard of play before we start... ie: play the ball down or bump it. I really hope you take mulligans and give putts, because your handicap will be lower than it should be.. which means I don't have to give as many shots. I play in a casual group that gives putts. We usually have 30 guys, and most are honest about what is good and not good. I could care less if someone is given a putt just outside the leather. It's not like we are playing for much money. There is nothing worse than watching the ladies play and count every single shot and have to finish every single putt, and mark a 6" putt because it might be in someone's line. We are not on the pro tour. I play because I enjoy the game. Every once in a while, we test someone on a 2 footer just to make them sweat just a little. But that is just fun.

[Jcp907]

What's the relevance of the dictionary definition? Is breaking a pane of glass like on the Big Break "golf"? No. How about "mini golf"? If you want to call a scramble "golf" but not the Big Break or Putt Putt, then your idea of where that "line" exists just varies from mine.

The relevance is that the dicitonary definition is socially acceptable by most, if not all of the people I know.

Would I consider putt putt golf? It wouldn't be any different than how I reference T-ball, which I don't consider baseball, so no. I don't know enough about the Big Break to have an opinion. I suppose that I am still learning where that line is for me, and right now it's probably between a scramble and putt putt.

[Shorty]

I play in a casual group that gives putts. We usually have 30 guys, and most are honest about what is good and not good. I could care less if someone is given a putt just outside the leather. It's not like we are playing for much money. There is nothing worse than watching the ladies play and count every single shot and have to finish every single putt, and mark a 6" putt because it might be in someone's line. We are not on the pro tour. I play because I enjoy the game. Every once in a while, we test someone on a 2 footer just to make them sweat just a little. But that is just fun.

The problem with this is that none of the guys you play with will ever have the thrill of breaking 100 or 90 or 80 or whatever because you don't score properly. The possibility of breaking a scoring milestone is a great motivator, and everyone you play with is denied that opportunity. I would hate to play and not truthfully know how I scored.

Reminds me of a great Harvey Penick story - Proud parents come into the pro shop and eagerly proclaim to Harvey that Junior had his first ever birdie today. Harvey says "That's great! How long was the putt?" Parents say "Oh we gave it to him, it was only 3 feet." Harvey says "Sorry folks, Junior hasn't had his firt birdie yet."

[Fourputt]

The problem with this is that none of the guys you play with will ever have the thrill of breaking 100 or 90 or 80 or whatever because you don't score properly. The possibility of breaking a scoring milestone is a great motivator, and everyone you play with is denied that opportunity. I would hate to play and not truthfully know how I scored.

Yup... that anecdote from "The Little Red Book" pretty much sums it up. If you don't play by the rules, none of your achievements mean squat.

I sometimes even wonder why such people even bother to chime in on a rules discussion. If the rules are that meaningless to you, then why do you waste your time and mine?

[iacas]

The relevance is that the dicitonary definition is socially acceptable by most, if not all of the people I know.

For you. I "define" golf as a game played by certain specific rules.

Besides, I'd argue that "under the rules of the game" are implied in the literal definition. Just because it's not stated doesn't mean it's not there or else all SORTS of things would be called "golf" under some definitions. If we had a "beating a dead horse" smiley, I'd use it here. The end.