Inconsiderate or just stupid?

[SubPar]

There is a section in the USGA book on Etiquette . Among the guidelines:

"Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

On the Putting Green

On the putting green, players should not stand on another player's line of putt or, when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt."


There is no penatly for disregarding these guidelines, however...

"If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interests of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.

In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7."

In less formal settings YOU would be your own committiee and you are free to not play with someone who disregards the etiquette of the game.

SubPar

[CG031]

It's extremely inconsiderate and rude to be in someone's line of the putt on the other hole or casting a shadow. Terrible golf ettiquette. However...

If you are out for a casual round with your buddies, and they really could care less, go ahead and do it all day...

But if your in a tournament, and your doing it to me, I'll ask you once nicely and then if you keep doing it I'll make sure I stand in some annoying positions when you putt.

[iacas]

It's extremely inconsiderate and rude to be in someone's line of the putt on the other hole or casting a shadow. Terrible golf ettiquette.

That's not the OP's question or concern...

In other words, let's get back to the appropriate topic. If y'all want to discuss standing on someone's line behind them when they're putting, please start another thread.

[J_Bone]

I'm interested in what your comments might be on this situation. What would you have said to this guy?

Doesn't bother me at all. As long as he was standing still when I addressed my ball and when I made my putt. I don't see the harm.

oh, and not standing or shadowing my line.... Sounds like you let yourself get to distracted.

[Fourputt]

I won't replace my ball if it's in a position to possibly bother another player, but I WILL work on setting up my putt until he is ready to play his stroke. Standing around waiting until it's your turn before starting the process is one of the biggest contributors to slow play, whether it's on the green or back in the fairway (or rough more likely ). Watch the pros on the green. Everyone in the group is stalking and plotting out their putts while the guy who is away is looking his shot over. Unfortunately, they then still tend to take forever to play when it is their turn, like something is going to change in 2 minutes.

I am almost always ready with my shot or putt planned out when it's my turn to play, but that doesn't have to mean that I'm being inconsiderate of my fellow competitors. I stand still, well away from his line when he sets up to make the stroke, but I may still be in his line of vision. If someone is so fussy that this bothers him, then I'm not probably going to want to play with him again anyway.