Etiquette question

[double_j]

I never touch somebody's ball without asking first/getting permission and have found that most others on the course follow that same unspoken rule. If somebody does touch my ball without me asking them to, I simply tell them that I've been having the yips lately and want to make sure I can drop 100% of my short putts (or I tell them that before they have a chance to grab my ball). That usually works pretty well since everyone has had that problem at one time or another.

It makes me laugh to myself when I see someone pick up a sliding left to right down hill 3 footer for par because it's a gimme and then brag about their score afterwards. These are usually the same people who feel it's OK to play 'winter rules' in the summer and then can't figure out why their scores are 20 strokes worse than normal when they have to play the ball down. If I were you, I would've signed that guys card and then hoped that I got paired against him in the club tournament.

Also, common sense has to come into play at some point. If its taking you 8 shots to reach a green, you probably shouldn't worry too much about holing out every single putt.

[ApocG10]

Agree 100% with this. The worst is when the "friendly" guy you got paired up with as a single not only decides your putt is good, but knocks it back to you before you even get there. Urrr...

Luckily noone has ever done that to me. I think i'd flip. Do not touch my ball.

I have had a guy putt my ball when it was 2 feet from the hole, but it was a total mistake, we were both playing ProV1x's, and we hit our shots close. He didnt have his ball marked, and mine was marked on the underside. He thought it was his unmarked ball. That didnt upset me, it was just a mistake. But, there was noone behind us, and we both decided to play the hole again ( it was the second hole, a short par 3), and he apologized multiple times. We play together often now, and its never happened again. What is the ruling in a case like this? Putting the wrong ball?

[zeg]

What is the ruling in a case like this? Putting the wrong ball?

15-3b: 2 stroke penalty for him, he has to play the correct ball. The stroke on the wrong ball does not count. You replace your ball and putt, no penalty.

If his had been holed out and he didn't notice, he would not get the 2 stroke penalty, just a 1-stroke penalty for moving a ball at rest (I think). I don't have time to dig through decisions, but I believe that this penaty does not apply if you're already penalized for playing the wrong ball. As for that situation, honest mistakes are almost always forgiveable in my book.

[sean_miller]

If someone gives me a putt just to speed up play, I'd be kind of angry since I don't waste a lot of time getting to the green.

If my playing partners seem to honestly feel I'm putting well enough to give me a short putt - especially after lagging it really close - I say thanks and move to the next tee. If we want to hear the ball drop in the cup more often, we can practice draining those long ones.

[mattttt25]

Isn't a gimmie reserved for two competitors? Unless I'm playing in a competition or against a buddy, I wouldn't offer or expect a gimmie. Maybe its just me, but seems odd to tell someone I just happen to be on the course with that he doesn't have to finish the hole.

[Shindig]

Isn't a gimmie reserved for two competitors? Unless I'm playing in a competition or against a buddy, I wouldn't offer or expect a gimmie. Maybe its just me, but seems odd to tell someone I just happen to be on the course with that he doesn't have to finish the hole.

I agree it's odd, but it seems to happen quite frequently when I'm playing. Of course, it lets me tell the story of one of my favorite rulings in U.S. Open history: "I'm sorry, Mr. Palmer, but you cannot concede a putt in stroke play."

[saevel25]

The only gimmies i get are if i already am over double boggie for the hole. kinda get the mercy rule for gimmies there. Or if its a foot or in. Other than that. If its leauge, and they give me a putt. We count it, but i still putt out, i just say its practice and a habit. Most understand.

[alf174]

The worst is when the "friendly" guy you got paired up with as a single not only decides your putt is good, but knocks it back to you before you even get there. Urrr...

Oh yeah, thats a teeth grinder.

I played with (3) new potential partners Sunday morning that gimmee if its in the leather but I made it clear I like to fiinish becuz I've missed putts at that length. They were cool about it; we'll see if I get asked to play every Sunday morning this year.

[Shindig]

I played with (3) new potential partners Sunday morning that gimmee if its in the leather but I made it clear I like to fiinish becuz I've missed putts at that length. They were cool about it; we'll see if I get asked to play every Sunday morning this year.

It's not just you. I've done it too.

And Hale Irwin. At the British Open. And he missed a playoff by one shot.