4 Ball play - "It's good - Pick it up" Do you have to?

[rehmwa]

So we were playing 4 ball and I was set up for a birdie to take the hole.  My partner was out for the hole but he was putting before me and it was placed such that I could get a good read from his attempt.

The other team tells him to "pick it up".  Clearly so I wouldn't get that read.  Good strategy if it's allowed.

Can he decline, thus giving me a read on my putt?  Or does he HAVE to pick it up at that point.....

They started to bicker on it, so I asked my partner to just pick it up anyway as I already had a good read.  But it's an interesting question.

(I made the putt BTW)

the other question - can you defer your longer putt to your partner's shorter putt also?

[Rulesman]

So we were playing 4 ball and I was set up for a birdie to take the hole.  My partner was out for the hole but he was putting before me and it was placed such that I could get a good read from his attempt.

The other team tells him to "pick it up".  Clearly so I wouldn't get that read.  Good strategy if it's allowed.

Can he decline, thus giving me a read on my putt?  Or does he HAVE to pick it up at that point.....

They started to bicker on it, so I asked my partner to just pick it up anyway as I already had a good read.  But it's an interesting question.

(I made the putt BTW)

the other question - can you defer your longer putt to your partner's shorter putt also?

2-4/6 Putting Out After Concession of Stroke

Rule 2-4 does not cover the question of whether a player may putt out after his next stroke has been conceded. A player incurs no penalty for holing out in such circumstances. However, if the act would be of assistance to a partner in a four-ball or best-ball match, the partner is, in equity (Rule 1-4 ), disqualified for the hole.

30-3 . Best-Ball And Four-Ball Match Play

b . Order of Play

Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side considers best.

[rehmwa]

you're good at this.  it appears the rules is specifically designed to allow for exactly their strategy - keeps it even more interesting.

first time I ever played 4 ball.  it was fun, and different from my normal

thanks - I'm gonna get the rule book soon.  there's all sorts of stuff in there.

[rogolf]

you're good at this.  it appears the rules is specifically designed to allow for exactly their strategy - keeps it even more interesting. first time I ever played 4 ball. it was fun, and different from my normal thanks - I'm gonna get the rule book soon.  there's all sorts of stuff in there.

Imo, it's the best game there is for four players - faster, strategic, interesting for the whole group - even if all you're playing for is "bragging rights". It doesn't get played enough anymore.

[David in FL]

you're good at this.  it appears the rules is specifically designed to allow for exactly their strategy - keeps it even more interesting.

first time I ever played 4 ball.  it was fun, and different from my normal

thanks - I'm gonna get the rule book soon.  there's all sorts of stuff in there.

Imo, it's the best game there is for four players - faster, strategic, interesting for the whole group - even if all you're playing for is "bragging rights". It doesn't get played enough anymore.

Yep, our favorite game by far.  Properly handicapped, you can play with a wide variety skill levels and everyone is able to contribute equally.  Since it's match play, it's also quick to play......

[turtleback]

you're good at this.  it appears the rules is specifically designed to allow for exactly their strategy - keeps it even more interesting.

first time I ever played 4 ball.  it was fun, and different from my normal

thanks - I'm gonna get the rule book soon.  there's all sorts of stuff in there.

The thing he quoted was a Decision of Golf and is not included in the basic Rule book.  However the Decisions are available online (if you don't want to buy the Decisions book).

[rehmwa]

The thing he quoted was a Decision of Golf and is not included in the basic Rule book.  However the Decisions are available online (if you don't want to buy the Decisions book).

Yup - I had to look to find his quotes and ended up on that exact same set of links.  Those interpretations (Decisions) are explicit to the situation I noted so it was the perfect answer.

(I was a bit confused at first because that rule, as a stand alone, didn't have the caveat of helping your partner.)

It's a good resource.  And the Decisions are pretty well thought out too.

[turtleback]

Yup - I had to look to find his quotes and ended up on that exact same set of links.  Those interpretations (Decisions) are explicit to the situation I noted so it was the perfect answer.

(I was a bit confused at first because that rule, as a stand alone, didn't have the caveat of helping your partner.)

It's a good resource.  And the Decisions are pretty well thought out too.

f you have a smartphone you can download the USGA Rules app which includes both the Rules AND the Decisions.  It costs a couple of bucks but it is well worth it, IMO.  It is available for both the iphone and droid.