Is there a penalty for rage during match play?

[JerseyThursday]

One of our best players also has one the worst tempers and the club championship seems to bring out the worst in him. It’s match play and as he advances further along his club throwing and F-bombing (yelling) intensifies. The tournament is self-regulated (the club pro is in the pro shop) so it seems there isn’t a whole lot anyone can do, other than ignore it. Plus, but its not a black and white issue. Most people show anger now and again and some will “forcefully lay down” their wedge to their bag after making a bad chip. But, no one comes close to this guy.
He doesn’t create a ruckus while the other person is hitting or anything like that, but still its an uncomfortable situation when the opponent looks and acts berserk.
I guess I’m asking etiquette aside, is there a rule against distracting displays of rage during a match play? Like I said, he pulls it together while the other person is hitting/putting etc. He even helps look for lost balls, so he isn’t a complete bastard.

[iacas]

Not really, no.

But if it's that bad I'd consider this:

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

33-7. Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion

A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual cases be waived, modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action warranted.

Any penalty less than disqualification must not be waived or modified.

If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification under this Rule.

[tanktwo2]

It's really annoying playing with someone who rages like that on the golf course...Since i'm a complete dick and I hate people like this, I'd make sure to whoop his ass up and down the golf course and watch his steam come out of his head

[WWBDD]

Meh ... people are funny.

I occasionally play with a guy who we all side bet on which hole he'll blow his stack and quit keeping score.

Last time he made it to the 10th hole, which I think is his record.

[JerseyThursday]

Originally Posted by tanktwo2

It's really annoying playing with someone who rages like that on the golf course...Since i'm a complete dick and I hate people like this, I'd make sure to whoop his ass up and down the golf course and watch his steam come out of his head

He’s a scratch player who saw the club championship slipping away on an off day. He plays in tournaments (as does quite well) all the time and played collegiate golf. I think he was enraged that he couldn’t win our small club championship and the year long bragging rights that comes with it, to what I’m sure he felt was an inferior player.

[RayG]

Why not institute a by-law for any competitions? You KNOW the PGA Tour has rules for such outbursts, such as fines and the like. Maintaining decorum through a match for the benefit of competitors and anyone watching should be on the list of rules for the day. 1st Offense: Warning 2nd offense: loss of hole/2 strokes depending the type of match. 3rd offense: disqualification and banned from future competitions pending a review or something. And not for the round, accumulated penalties over a season.

[Kieran123]

The penalty is that he loses friends and any respect.

If I was playing with a guy like that I would tell him to shut the **** up.

[ericm]

Club politics concerning any "club championship" match are very difficult to manage.  A long time ago I played as an observer during a club championship match during which the player who won cheated repeatedly.  Every approach shot involved a pre-shot routine that included tapping the club in front of the ball to mark an intended aim point.  This was brought to the player's intention repeatedly by the other three players in the group, not just his competitor.

After an objection was registered by the "losing" player the behavior was confirmed (not sure if the 4th went on record) and a bit of debate ensued.  The cheater was allowed to keep the title by the club and politics played heavily in the decision.

Having witnessed the behavior and being on the "losing" side, I would simply tell you that club politics tends to trump the rules of golf.  Be aware of where you stand vis-a-vis club politics and the rules of the game.  BTW, I never entered another competition at the club.

[WWBDD]

Quote:

Every approach shot involved a pre-shot routine that included tapping the club in front of the ball to mark an intended aim point.

Really ... that's a rule?

[ericm]

Yes.

13-2. Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play

A player must not improve or allow to be improved:

· the position or lie of his ball,

· the area of his intended stance or swing,

· his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole , or

· the area in which he is to drop or place a ball,

by any of the following actions:

· pressing a club on the ground ,

· moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed (including immovable obstructions and objects defining out of bounds ),

· creating or eliminating irregularities of surface,

· removing or pressing down sand, loose soil, replaced divots or other cut turf placed in position, or

· removing dew, frost or water.

(Emphasis in blue is mine)

He was giving himself an alignment aid / aiming point on every approach shot.  Therefore, he was improving his lie.

You can step behind or hit the ground with your club on the tee, but not after.

[WWBDD]

Quote:

He was giving himself an alignment aid / aiming point on every approach shot.  Therefore, he was improving his lie.

Oh ... alright then.

[NuclearMike]

Ego can be a dangerous thing in the wrong minds.

[sacm3bill]

Originally Posted by ericm

Yes.

13-2. Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play

A player must not improve or allow to be improved:

· the position or lie of his ball,

· the area of his intended stance or swing,

· his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or

· the area in which he is to drop or place a ball,

by any of the following actions:

· pressing a club on the ground,

· moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed (including immovable obstructions and objects defining out of bounds),

· creating or eliminating irregularities of surface,

· removing or pressing down sand, loose soil, replaced divots or other cut turf placed in position, or

· removing dew, frost or water.

(Emphasis in blue is mine)

He was giving himself an alignment aid / aiming point on every approach shot.  Therefore, he was improving his lie.

You can step behind or hit the ground with your club on the tee, but not after.

Improving the lie and creating an aiming point are two different things. Sounds like he was doing both, but just FYI, the aiming point issue addressed here (bold mine):

8-2. Indicating Line of Play

a. Other Than on Putting Green

Except on the putting green , a player may have the line of play indicated to him by anyone, but no one may be positioned by the player on or close to the line or an extension of the line beyond the hole while the stroke is being made. Any mark placed by the player or with his knowledge to indicate the line must be removed before the stroke is made.