Pete

I am a single figure player who consistently takes 4 (or more!) shots to get down from around a green. It happened to me twice in a competition last weekend where I was green high in 2 on a par 5 and took a bogey six on both due to stupid short game shots. I also did the same on a par 3 (double bogey) and a very short par 4 (bogey) where I was 30 yards from the green after my tee shot. On average I take 4+ shots to get down from close range four or five times a round. I'm not looking for a Phil Mickelson short game. I will happilly take 3 shots to get down and walk to the next tee. The problem is not technical, on the practice greens, I have a very good short game. Has anyone been there before? Does anyone have any ideas how I can address this?

Great points everyone. Thanks

Some great points made thanks Would you call the penalty on an opponent? I guess I'm struggling to see how rules applications like this help to differentiate who played better on the day?

Common sense?

I know all the rules in question here but just wanted to know your thoughts on this rule generally. In a club comp, my competitors 9 year old son who was caddying for his dad, was tending the flag on one of my putts. He totally forgot to remove the flagstick from the hole and my ball trickled into the hole. I know it is my 2 stroke penalty but would any of you called that penalty if it was your caddy who forgot? Also, would you want other players in the comp penalised for the same thing or are you like me in that if no advantage was gained and the breach was unintentional, then enforcing the rule is pointless.