Why Is Standing Behind Someone When They Tee Off Bad Etiquette?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by carpediem4300

is this really "etiquette" related or "personal preference" related?

i think its personal preference, i havent got 100 of supporters to spot my ball into the rough, so id prefer my buddies do it, it was actually ingrained into me when starting the sport of "spot the ball for him so he can concentrate on the shot"

I believe it is etiqutte. If you're not the one hitting the ball, or his caddie, why be on the teebox at all?

[Losttsol]

I have always heard you are supposed to stand behind, but far back out of the tee box in order to watch the ball flight.  It never bothered me and I've never had anyone say I was standing too close.  What if the person you are playing with is a lefty?  Is everyone supposed to go around to the other side of him so he doesn't see you?  That's ludicrous.  Stand behind and well out of the way unless the player says otherwise.

[parbreaker]

I may be in the minority here after reading the previous posts.

I have never had a problem spotting my ball, and have never seen any logic in the reasoning "I can't concentrate on my swing if I'm worried about tracking my ball." When I am swinging tracking my shot isn't on my mind at all... It's just a natural reaction.

Perhaps that will change as I get older though, so I don't doubt that it may be true for many people. I'm just not one of them.

I have never had a problem tracking shots from beside someone either, but I definitely agree that if eyesight is an issue then standing behind someone would help tremendously.

With that being said, I have always asked people to not stand behind me. It's just more personal preference really, I think.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Ditto. I'm not a professional so I'll probably never have a crowd around the box, but at least a crowd is consistent. One or two people is like a random noise in your downswing. It shouldn't piss me off, but it does, so I ask them to stand somewhere else. I've had people run up onto the teebox just as I was starting my backswing - that didn't go well. The "hey, I'm just trying to watch your ball for you" claim is pure bullshit.  The same guys who insist on standing there, never seem to spot my ball, so basically they're a useless irritant.

This.

[carpediem4300]

i guess its just one of those things with AM golfers, some like it, some dont

im not personally fussed, i prefer to have someone spot me on sunny days though incase i loose sight of it, nothing worse to ruin a round when you have no clue where it went :S

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by carpediem4300

i guess its just one of those things with AM golfers, some like it, some dont

im not personally fussed, i prefer to have someone spot me on sunny days though incase i loose sight of it, nothing worse to ruin a round when you have no clue where it went :S

Some people don't mind when the guy with the worst score tees off first (without asking) or when some steps on their putting line (repeatedly), but those are etiquette faux pas as well. Good for you that it doesn't bother you. I wish I could tune it out. Just like when old people carry a radio in their cart and don't turn it off when other people are around. Whether or not it's shitty music (it usually is) is irrelevant. It's poor etiquette.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

I can't site the exact rule but it is actually illegal for a caddy to stand behind a player during the player's shot. I'll look in the decisions book tomorrow and see if I can find out why.

If you can find anything, good luck.  I couldn't.  I don't think that such a rule exists.  As long as he is doing nothing to indicate the line of play, there doesn't seem to be any rule breach.  It is stated in the etiquette section that you shouldn't stand near the player, or directly behind the ball or behind the hole when he is making a stroke, but it's just a recommendation, not a rule.

It doesn't bother me as long they don't stand too close to me, but then when I'm in my routine there is very little that can bother me.  Nobody should be bothered by someone 15 or 20 feet back, but I've known guys who are fussy about it.

You don't need to stand directly behind the ball to help watch the flight.  Stand a few feet back and to one side and you can still do that without the worry of committing a breach of etiquette.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpediem4300

is this really "etiquette" related or "personal preference" related?

i think its personal preference,

From the Etiquette section of the Rules of Golf:

Quote:

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

However, nothing is said about being completely out of the field of vision.  Anyone that fussy would be a royal pain in the ass to play with.

[CuppedTin]

I guess it has never really bothered me, I guess I had rather them stand behind me than in front of me...

[FLOG4]

Standing behind somebody is just rude.  Thinking you are doing it to help them locate their ball is even more rude. Stand to the side where you are out of site and your shadow doesn't influence your playing partner. If you really want to assist your playing partners with helping them locate their errant shots, do it from that position.

[carpediem4300]

bit of a sharp response?

I try to be as responsible as i can, i watch putting lines, i watch my shadow, i stop for other players on tee boxes/greens whatever the situation is, i will occasionally make mistakes and not notice a buddies ball marker and tread his line,...always apologise and tap the area i trod back down as best i can

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Some people don't mind when the guy with the worst score tees off first (without asking) or when some steps on their putting line (repeatedly), but those are etiquette faux pas as well. Good for you that it doesn't bother you. I wish I could tune it out. Just like when old people carry a radio in their cart and don't turn it off when other people are around. Whether or not it's shitty music (it usually is) is irrelevant. It's poor etiquette.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by FLOG4

Standing behind somebody is just rude.  Thinking you are doing it to help them locate their ball is even more rude. Stand to the side where you are out of site and your shadow doesn't influence your playing partner. If you really want to assist your playing partners with helping them locate their errant shots, do it from that position.

See, this is just one example why the issue is so fuzzy.  I don't want them in my blind spot.  I'd prefer them where I can see them so I don't worry about them fiddling with their clubs or cranking the ball washer when I swing.  I'm not usually bothered anyway, but if I had my druthers, that's where I'd want them, right in plain view.  I don't consider the other way rude though, just not my preference.  You can't play with a stranger for the first time and just automatically be guaranteed of being right.  There are too many "right" ways to do it.

[jamo]

I try to stay out of view, but I couldn't really care less where other people are standing. I watched a Golf Channel video a long time ago that said you should either be directly in front of the person (so if you are seen, it's the entire time), of completely behind them (so you aren't seen at all).

[B-Con]

Ditto. I'm not a professional so I'll probably never have a crowd around the box, but at least a crowd is consistent. One or two people is like a random noise in your downswing. It shouldn't piss me off, but it does, so I ask them to stand somewhere else. I've had people run up onto the teebox just as I was starting my backswing - that didn't go well. The "hey, I'm just trying to watch your ball for you" claim is pure bullshit.  The same guys who insist on standing there, never seem to spot my ball, so basically they're a useless irritant.

Ditto x 2. People who stand directly behind me rarely seem to hold still. They're saying back and forth, fiddling with a club, or even talking. Usually, it's fairly annoying. I'd prefer they moved a few feet behind me to where my peripheral vision couldn't see them.

[Roblar]

I'm bothered by someone who stands close to me, but I could care less about someone standing directly behind me.  I guess I can focus on what I'm doing fairly well: noise, someone taking practice swings when I'm over the ball, talking.... none of that bothers me.

I will ask someone to move if I feel like they're close to me - especially if they're near my backswing 'space'.

I do my best to follow the etiquette, but I don't find much of it necessary for my game.  In fact, I actually get annoyed by people who are easily bothered/distracted or annoyed by breaches of etiquette.  I never say anything, but I always think, "That's nothing.  Quit making excuses and hit the ball!"

[iacas]

a) It's against the rules for a caddie or playing partner to stand on your line. Rule 14-2:

14-2. Assistance

In making a stroke, a player must not:

a. Accept physical assistance or protection from the elements; or
b. Allow his caddie, his partner or his partner 's caddie to position himself on or close to an extension of the line of play or the line of putt behind the ball.

b) It's literally considered poor etiquette per the rules:

Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.

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.

Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

Note that there's nothing in the rules that says you can't stand on the line of an opponent - like when they're putting and you want to see the read - but it is considered a breach of etiquette per the Rules of Golf. There's no "rule" against it but it's in the physical book.

c) It can be distracting in a person's peripheral vision. The best place to stand, in my opinion, is anywhere in the zone that's in front of the golfer (i.e. the golfer is facing you) from about 90 degrees to about 30 degrees, depending on the layout of the tee, etc, as well as anything outside of a certain distance away.

[markpf189]

I've never seen someone get mad at someone behind behind them on the tee, a lot of people do it to help keep an eye on their ball. I play a lot with my dad and his older friends, and they like me to keep track of their drives.

[trackster]

The only problem with I have with this is a golf swing takes no time at all.  If your swing is on the right path and the right alinement then nothing should throw you off.  In other sports having people around is called pressure in golf it is poor etiquette.  In order for your peripherals to effect you I think you have to willingly focus on them.  I can see my desk right now but that doesn't mean I can't read what I am typing.  If you are focused on your ball then no matter where someone stands (be it not in the plane of your backswing) then you should not be effected by them.

[newtogolf]

The guys I've played golf with usually prefer others stand about 10 yards behind them to track their ball and stay out of view.  I personally don't care, but it's good to know that so many other golfers are bothered by having someone behind them.  I'll make sure when playing with strangers to ask them where they prefer I stand during their shots.