Jr Tournament play?

[Cwmgr]

Hello I have few questions? During tournament play with 13 year olds there is a dad who races cart to kids ball that looks fishy as hell very questionable. I'd hate to accuse but looks bad. Also if you get relief from roots of tree should player just approach his ball make free relief drop and play it? Without telling anyone? Or should they let someone know so they are sure what the players doing? Ready to make a scene over couple issues. My son counts every stroke no matter what and seeing disrespectful and dishonest play has really got me going. 

[Patch]

There are a few schools of thought on this situation. One is talk to the parent which is what I would do. Of course the parent might take offense, and creat more problem for both his child, and others. It's junior golf, so treading lightly for the benefit of the youngsters is paramount. If not talking to the parent seems like the best way to go, then of course you are just left with talking to league official. 

Here is another possible problem when talking to a league official. I once belonged to a monthly play league in the Vegas valley. I went in as a single, and was paired with another guy who's partener had given up the game. After a few tournaments it became apparent my partner was cheating. I mentioned it to him, but he continued on with his creative scoring. My next step was to talk to a league official. Long story short, I was politely asked not to return to their league play. 

So these are some of the things you need to think about when confronting someone who may be cheating. Ask your self if it's worth it. However, more importantly, make sure your junior golfer understands what's going on, and has tight grasp on the ethics of the game. 

[Cwmgr]

Ya I know what u mean . My son knows he has witnessed it. The only reason I know is other parents warned me about it and happen to have to score for him that tourney lol so I witness it. I'm not gonna say anything don't need any distractions . It's very competive golf these boys shooting par out there at 13 and other kids cheating and who knows how many strokes they lie on . What about taking relief like I said from a area wherecoursengives relief . ?

[Rulesman]

8 hours ago, Cwmgr said:

 Also if you get relief from roots of tree should player just approach his ball make free relief drop and play it? Without telling anyone? Or should they let someone know so they are sure what the players doing? 

If there is an appropriate Local Rule in place there is no obligation for the player to tell anyone what he is doing. Although it would of course to be the sensible thing to do.

[Fourputt]

9 hours ago, Cwmgr said:

Hello I have few questions? During tournament play with 13 year olds there is a dad who races cart to kids ball that looks fishy as hell very questionable. I'd hate to accuse but looks bad. Also if you get relief from roots of tree should player just approach his ball make free relief drop and play it? Without telling anyone? Or should they let someone know so they are sure what the players doing? Ready to make a scene over couple issues. My son counts every stroke no matter what and seeing disrespectful and dishonest play has really got me going. 

For the junior tournaments where I worked as a rules official, the parents were not allowed near the players or their balls.  They had the status of being observers or fans, nothing more.  No coaching was allowed, and certainly they did not race ahead to the area where the balls lay after a stroke.  In fact the only carts allowed for family were for those who were disabled - all others walked.  Such potential interaction as you describe would not have been allowed.

[Cwmgr]

Ok thx for input . Most junior tourneys we play in don't allow parents . The tournament in referring to allows caddies and most spectators walk but one guy always ends up in cart even when we're told none available . 

[Martyn W]

17 hours ago, Cwmgr said:

Hello I have few questions? During tournament play with 13 year olds there is a dad who races cart to kids ball that looks fishy as hell very questionable. I'd hate to accuse but looks bad. Also if you get relief from roots of tree should player just approach his ball make free relief drop and play it? Without telling anyone? Or should they let someone know so they are sure what the players doing? Ready to make a scene over couple issues. My son counts every stroke no matter what and seeing disrespectful and dishonest play has really got me going. 

In the junior events I officiate (including the Dustin Johnson World Junior, PGA Section Junior Championship and The George Holliday), parents are not permitted off the cartpaths. Also, any communication between parent and player may be consider a Rule 8 (advice) violation. This is on the AJGA hardcard.

As for relief from roots, the Decision (33-8/8)

Q.May a Committee make a Local Rule providing relief without penalty if a player's stroke is interfered with by exposed tree roots?

A.A Local Rule is authorized only if an abnormal condition exists. Generally, the existence of exposed tree roots is not abnormal. However, if the exposed tree roots are encroaching on to the fairway, a Committee would be authorized to make a Local Rule providing relief under Rule 25-1 for interference from exposed tree roots when a ball lies on a closely-mown area. The Committee may restrict relief to interference for the lie of ball and the area of intended swing.

was recently revised to authorize committees to give relief for roots in closely mown areas ONLY. Prior to that there was no relief at all.

[Dormie1360]

The Jr tournaments I work the parents must stay on the cart path and no closer than 30 yards from the players at all times.  They can act as forecaddies to help search for a ball, but must leave the area when the ball is found.  No advice to the player may be given.

[Cwmgr]

I understand what u have worked and a lot other people. The point is caddie is parent these tourneys have caddies . We play a ton of tourneys without caddie but theses specific have caddie and also have root relief .