Playing with Someone Using Non-Conforming Equipment

[newtogolf]

I voted "yes" because I read the bulk of the thread and saw that the wording was intended to be "with" rather than "against".  I really don't care what my playing partners do as long as we're not in a tournament or playing for money. 

Last week I played a round with a guy I had just met at my club.  He asked is I minded that he carry 15 clubs since he wanted to try out a new hybrid to use in the rough.  I told him I had no issue with it and had he not told me I wouldn't have known.

I don't make a habit of inspecting and counting my playing partners clubs.  I am an equipment nerd so I might take notice of what clubs they play, but that's for my own curiosity not to verify they are playing conforming clubs.

Golf is a tough sport, if you're just trying to enjoy yourself then I fully support using whatever equipment helps you do so the most.

[Lihu]

Sure,  I play people using non-conforming stuff all the time. Usually seniors who want to still hit farther.

I haven't tried using non-conforming drivers or anything else, but I bet it would be fun. 

[Golfingdad]

I wouldn't care - and, in fact, almost certainly wouldn't even know.  If I was playing in an actual tournament and an FC was using a Polara golf ball, then, yeah, I'd have to say something to him, and he'd have to be DQ'd or incure a penalty, or whatever the sanctions are.  But aside from that one instance, I don't even know the names of any non-conforming equipment, and I would have no reason to distrust anybody, so I'd just assume they were playing by the rules.

But just with buddies or whatever, nah, I wouldn't care - even if he told me it was non-conforming.  I'd take it as a challenge to beat him even when he was 'cheating.' 

[Dave2512]

I built a non-conforming driver last year because I was messing around with club making and components are cheap. There was no magic in it, still have to swing the thing and as with anything the result was only as good as the strike. I wouldn't care if someone else was using non-conforming clubs for most the advantage isn't a great as the variation in their worst to best shots unless they are a very good ball striker.

[rehmwa]

I really don't care what others do.  I try not to be THAT guy.

Maybe if his non-conforming equipment is made of explosives or is ridiculously radioactive, or plays show tunes while I'm putting.......

 

 

(as an aside - whatever caviat one wants to put out there, golf is a handicap system, so if they established their handicap with the same equipment, I suspect then it doesn't matter with me even if there's a candy bar on the line, or bragging rights)

(my personal bias is this cartoon bubble I have of a "Judge Smails" type of caricature getting all blown out of proportion because some guy's driver maybe has a little painted picture his 4 year old daughter painted on it for his birthday - so at least I got that going for me......which is nice)

Edited October 26, 2015 by rehmwa

[Yukari]

You topic say "play with" but the poll question say "play against". 

I voted no for I would not play "against" someone playing what is essentially cheater's equipment. However, I have no problem playing with someone that uses nonconforming equipment. 

[rehmwa]

You topic say "play with" but the poll question say "play against".

The results absolutely are unusable as a result of course:

One of two options occurred -

1 - reading the text of the original post, the poll wording itself is an accidental typo and people should have answered as if the poll question was written as intended "with", not 'against.

2 - the Original Poster purposely did this with the intent of taking a screen shot later and using it elsewhere for some agenda he's pushing that requires an unusual (false) support of allowing non-conforming equipment

just spit balling here

[Golfingdad]

..., golf is a handicap system, so if they established their handicap with the same equipment, I suspect then it doesn't matter with me even if there's a candy bar on the line, or bragging rights)

Great point - had not really thought of that.  Still doesn't change my answer (because I didn't care anyway) but it's an interesting thought. :)  Speaking of caveats and nuance and the very grey world in which we live:

What's worse; playing against a guy who "cheats" with illegal equipment but also established his handicap with same, OR playing against a 22 handicap who uses Muira blades and a persimmon driver for all of his casual rounds but G30's for his serious, competitive rounds?  I'd much prefer putting money on the line against the first guy. 

[Grumpter]

Don't have a problem playing with someone using non-conforming equipment and don't see why anyone else would. They paid their money and can play how they want. I have also played against someone using non-conforming equipment. They didn't hit their driver very long and used a club that was non-conforming that helped them get a little more distance. Nice guy, wanting to get better and it didn't ruin the competition. It made the competition better IMO as he was able to enjoy himself a little more rather than be worried about only getting his drive out to 200'ish yards.

As long as it is not league or tournament and it is known by both (friendly) players I don't have a problem with it. If it was just some random player I met that day on the course then I would probably say no until I knew them better.

[iacas]

I re-worded the poll and thread. If you already voted, you can change your vote pretty easily.

I also voted "yes" since I don't care what someone else is doing, so long as it's not dangerous of course.

[Lihu]

Great point - had not really thought of that.  Still doesn't change my answer (because I didn't care anyway) but it's an interesting thought. :)  Speaking of caveats and nuance and the very grey world in which we live:

What's worse; playing against a guy who "cheats" with illegal equipment but also established his handicap with same, OR playing against a 22 handicap who uses Muira blades and a persimmon driver for all of his casual rounds but G30's for his serious, competitive rounds?  I'd much prefer putting money on the line against the first guy. 

What are you trying to say here?

[Sante TwoGloves]

it's no different from playing against someone who shaves strokes, and doesn't follow the rules. I play against myself, and I don't play for money so it's no big deal. 

[14ledo81]

I would not have a problem.

In fact, I would play the driver myself.  If there was driver out there that magically gave me 30 more yards, I would play it in a heartbeat.

[Lihu]

it's no different from playing against someone who shaves strokes, and doesn't follow the rules. I play against myself, and I don't play for money so it's no big deal. 

It's different than altering your scorecard. They still earned their scores, it's just that they used equipment that gives them a little more distance and forgiveness.

Truthfully, I would prefer that more people use non-conforming equipment to play faster. The purist who takes 6 shots to get to a green on a par4 is a lot more frustrating to watch playing than the one who makes it in 2 or 3 with whatever equipment he chooses to use. . .

[Abu3baid]

Since the poll has been changed I confirm that I would play with them.. Why should anyone care how others enjoy the game?

[RussUK]

The results absolutely are unusable as a result of course:

One of two options occurred -

1 - reading the text of the original post, the poll wording itself is an accidental typo and people should have answered as if the poll question was written as intended "with", not 'against.

2 - the Original Poster purposely did this with the intent of taking a screen shot later and using it elsewhere for some agenda he's pushing that requires an unusual (false) support of allowing non-conforming equipment

just spit balling here

Option 1 here. made a slight mistake on the wording, Didnt feel there was any need for the 2nd option to be added, but no problem. as you say, jusy spit balling, I Just knew i'd cock up my first poll!! 

I re-worded the poll and thread. If you already voted, you can change your vote pretty easily.

I also voted "yes" since I don't care what someone else is doing, so long as it's not dangerous of course.

Thanks Erik, top man!!

Wasnt quick enough with the "edit" function

[Dave2512]

it's no different from playing against someone who shaves strokes, and doesn't follow the rules. I play against myself, and I don't play for money so it's no big deal. 

It's much different than not counting strokes. Believe when I say the 550cc driver I built for giggles did little if anything to my scores. I put it together for a Tin Cup tournament last Halloween where people can use whatever they want. Practiced with it for a month during rounds and I hit just as many crap drives as I usually do.

Can't say I've seen non-conforming irons but I suspect that could have a bigger impact given more opportunities with irons but still only as much as a ball striking allows. Modern gear is pretty forgiving as it is and I don't see many out there tearing it up.

[RussUK]

It's much different than not counting strokes. Believe when I say the 550cc driver I built for giggles did little if anything to my scores. I put it together for a Tin Cup tournament last Halloween where people can use whatever they want. Practiced with it for a month during rounds and I hit just as many crap drives as I usually do.

Can't say I've seen non-conforming irons but I suspect that could have a bigger impact given more opportunities with irons but still only as much as a ball striking allows. Modern gear is pretty forgiving as it is and I don't see many out there tearing it up.

They tested the Dunlop Rebel wedge with "Rip Grooves" and it worked very well. Downside was it ate through Urethane balls like there was no tomorrow!!