SCDuffer

Rulesman - you nailed it again. But....and this is the subtlety of it, if they don't converse about it - is it something that gets them disqualified. I generally play with this group about 4-6 times a month (tuesday/friday) game. As a club we are very rules focused - abiding, etc... but twice over the last 4-6 months I have seen this come up and I'll address it for sure. In the end...mark your ball if you are near the pin/green/ball anyway. Pace of play is a consideration of course, but neither time that i heard/saw collusion to gain an advantage was it a concern. Thanks again!

Great comments guys. Still conflicted a bit - i guess. I'll be asking players to mark, but I guess I'll keep my yap shut in regards to marking and wait for the request. I'll also have the conversation about the rule with our pro and rules committee. In the end, this part is the one that gets to ethics and following the rules: if a player considers that a ball might assist any other player, he may.... So....lots or room for interpretation, but if you think it can help someone...your are by definition required to mark or ask for it to be marked. Should provide for good local discussion either way. Thanks again all!

Interesting - so basically its a collusion clause :) Appreciate the post, I suspected it was a very liberal interpretation with some nonsense conjecture. The rule is very clear to me...minus the fact that if there is NOT a conversation/agreement to assist, then it's very hard to prove intent.

Scouring the rules and finally gave up, but this rules interpretation was shared with me this week during a 32 man net2 balls tournament. With 4 guys playing, often times someone chipping up to the green will want balls on the surface (especially close to the hole), so they have the advantage of stopping the ball nearer to the hole. Forget about the purpose, but this was the situation that led to the following comments. I asked the chipper, "do you want us to leave the balls on the surface or mark them?" We finished out the hole when he let me know that if the chipper indicates "leave your balls there" or if any partner with a ball on the surface asks if they want it marked, then by rule - all balls on the surface MUST be marked. First time I have EVER heard this, not sure where do locate that rule/interpretation or decision. Thoughts?