How to Deal With Someone Behind Your Ball as You Hit?

[PhilsRHman]

I agree with a lot of what's been said here -- first, you can't have rabbit ears on the course. I find the more focused I am on my target, the less I'm distracted by people or by noise.

However, there are some things that really will break your concentration. It's best to address it or else it will fester and really get into your head. I've played with a ton of beginners who just don't know that standing too close, or being in someone's line is a distraction. What I'm typically done, if that's the case, I'll act a bit startled that they created the distraction/movement (this works espcially on the greens when standing over a putt), back away, and apologize for the delay. They always get the point that they are the one who did something wrong, but you're not acting like a jerk about it.

As for standing too close on the tee, I love that idea of walking behind and taking a practice swing. Even if it's just a case of visualizing from behind the ball, you'll be able to clear out plenty of room around you with subtle body language. And again, stepping away in an exaggerated way, but playing it down, will send the message, usually with a funny "if you've seen me make a bad swing you might not be safe there." They should get the picture.

After a second or third time though, I'd just bluntly say, "do me a favor and stand on this side of me when I'm hitting, otherwise I pick you up in the corner of my eye on the backswing and it's a bit distracting."

As with anything, you can come across as a jerk, or a personable in these situations. I find that being self-deprecating will always strike the right tone, but still help you get your way.

[Parker0065]

Saint, I love that idea. It takes Parker's suggestion to a whole new level.

LOL,,,Yes I was going to mention taking a practice swing but I didn't want to advocate knocking out your opponent!

[acj990]

It's funny that this topic was brought up. I was actually just speaking to my wife about how a couple guys used to do this during league this year. She's asked why it was such a big deal.

I told her that etiquette in golf played was a large part of the sport seperating it from others. When other players are too dumb to realize that you don't stand, they should be told not to stand there. We played the same guys the night after that and I nicely approached one of the guys after I hit, and while my partner was hitting, I gestured both of them over towards me on the backside of the tee box. I asked them, "Have you guys played this course much?" One of them responded, "Why would you ask that? We're in this league." I then said, "Well, if you've played it before, you know where you want your tee shots to go, why do you have to stand directly behind us to see the direction of the hole." Needless to say, they were at first upset as if I was being sarcastic, well I WAS. After that, they never stood behind us during a shot for the rest of that match and league.

I look at it as teaching. People who don't truly understand the rules of golf should be taught the rules of the game. The rules make this game what it is.

[shades9323]

I look at it as teaching. People who don't truly understand the rules of golf should be taught the rules of the game. The rules make this game what it is.

I didn't know standing behind someone on their line is a breech of the rules of golf.

If you can see someone 8' back, you need to stop moving your head and losing sight of the ball.

[iacas]

People who don't truly understand the rules of golf should be taught the rules of the game.

It's not a Rule of Golf. Not unless the guy's your partner.

It's a breach of etiquette. And all that says is:

Source: Rules of Golf, Etiquette Section Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

[$2 Nassau]

This actually doesn't bother me, except when putting. Some guys will squat down behind the hole when you are getting ready to stroke a putt.

[hippyboy]

This really wouldn't bother me, if the person is out of my "backswing range" I will not see him. I'm really working on keeping my head dow & focussing on the ball.

I play mainly muni's so at the weekends there are several obnoxious players (& empty beer cans in the bin) so I have started working on not getting distracted. When playing rounds on my own I have my MP3 player on loud (packed with music I don't like) & put my trolley around a foot to the rightside of the ball (directly in front of me as I address the ball)
I have been doing this for a few weeks now & it really helps me to shut everything out & concentrate on my shot.

[Chief Broom]

I've always heard that Tiger does this a lot. Stands in his opponent's field of vision and starts walking/moving as soon as your clubhead makes contact with the ball (putting or hitting a full swing). It's not a breach of etiquette per se, but it is his way of keeping the pressure on his opponents.

At the muni I play there is a lot of gambling and an equal amount of trash talking that goes along with it. I imagine they'd have a field day with someone making an issue of standing in the wrong place while on the tee. Not that this makes it right, I don't indulge in either practice (gambling or trash talking), but those are dudes with money on the line.

My point is that if you can't handle this kind of pressure, then you are making yourself vulnerable to it when it arises in a competative situation.

[TN94z]

I agree with the take a practice swing from well behind the ball. That will keep them back. Take as many as you need, in case they try to move back. Or you could "accidentally" lost grip on your backswing....I'm just saying


But really, there are a few guys that I play with that do this. Once they found out that it bothers me, they don't do it anymore. In our "friendly" matches, as long as it is nothing sudden I am okay. If someone is talking and I decide to go ahead its okay with me because it was going on before I started. If I am in the middle of my swing and someone starts talking then it bothers me. It usually has to be sudden for it too really screw me up

[TempoIsKey]

Just start yelling "Noonan, miss it" while they're putting

[rjfan91]

How to Deal With Someone Behind Your Ball as You Hit?

I'm with fourputt. Most people need to desensitize a little. As long as I don't think I'm going to hit you or anything else, you can't effect my swing (I effect it plenty on my own).

Someone mentioned it being outside of some rules. As far as I know, the only folks that can't stand behind your put (on the line) is your partner. Your opponents can pitch a tent there if they want.

[Rob]

As an 18.8 handicap, you should be watching the ball and not worrying about what`s behind you,unless you tend to hit it backwards on occasion. If the guys are 15 feet behind and quiet,what`s the problem? A lot of the high handicappers,like yourself,worry too much,make excuses for everything,think too much.Lighten up,concentrate on the task at hand,block crap out,and hit it. There`s always bridge,hearts,ect that you could play,but then they`d be looking at your cards......

[DavidFehertysBike]

I was taught just to walk strait to your ball and not worry about where the other players are, unless they ask for help finding a ball. If a player hits a ball close to mine, ill stand back some untill he hits. If he is a better player ill watch where he starts the ball and what the result was, but i try not to bother him in any way.

[Rob]

10-4!!!10-4!!!!

[brgolf]

i just did my pre shot routine in the garden with this question in mind. I checked my peripheral vision and concluded that any object within 3.5 yards behind my ball was a potential distraction. I start my routine looking at my shot from 5 yards behind the ball, loosen up with a half hearted swing or two before briskly approaching the ball. This usually causes anyone in close proximity to go back a further 3 or so yards. You should be able to buy yourself about 6-8 yards comfortably with your pre shot routine and I would not complain if anyone was standing 5 yards or more behind me anyway.