COMMUNITY

Play it as it lies, only exception a plugged ball in a very wet fairway allowed in the rules of golf. Or take a stroke penalty.

Well I certainly didn't mean for anyone to get angry or do the name calling cheater thing by this post. A few more thoughts on this...
My son doodled out of habit. I'm not sure he even knew he was doing it, until the "old man" started ragging him about it. I think a lot of doodlers don't really realize they are doing it. Unfortunately, many of those post their scores, which I think is sad for all of us that handicaps then become inflated. Most tournaments I've seen that play handicaps, only allow 85% or some such of a handicap, I guess in recognition of inflated handicaps. Then there's the scrambles I've played in where teams come in posting 51 or 52 to win the scramble and I wonder how many of those were doodlers.
All in all I guess it doesn't matter for me since I am not good enough to play in a tournament and only play in scrambles for the fun and company never for the "prizes".
But for those who do play in tournaments and scrambles for prizes, I think they should get a fair shake based on their game and the application of the rules.
Me, I'm gonna be way more conscious of improving my lie, and if I need to cause it's in the rocks, or whatever, I'll take my unplayable

Well I certainly didn't mean for anyone to get angry or do the name calling cheater thing by this post. A few more thoughts on this...
My son doodled out of habit. I'm not sure he even knew he was and the stroke.
Hopefully everyone realizes that I'm not talking about improved lies provided for in the rules or the local committee's decisions. and hopefully everyone knows I don't look down on anyone who doesnt agree with me.
Well got a 1045 tee time and hope to play a round without losing a ball. Under 80 would be great also. :)

For petes sake can't we all just get along. If i'm playing with you and you tell me to play'em down its down and if you say play'em up we play up. I think it's who you are playing that requries the the call. I have beat a bunch of guys that plays it "up" 90% of the time because in a tournament he gripes about this lie or that lie or he just can't stand not to fiddle with the damn thing he is dead in the water before he even tees it up on the first hole.e call. I have beat a bunch of guys that plays it "up" 90% of the time because in a tournament he gripes about this lie or that lie or he just can't stand not to fiddle with the damn thing he is dead in the water before he even tees it up on the first hole.

It's funny, when I was in Florida I played with a couple who constantly pushed their ball with their club prior to playing it. I'm not sure why they were doing that. Did they really think that moving the ball 1 inch forward would help?? It's not like winter rules were in effect :) I agree with Roundy that practicing from different lies is fun. My home course is a links course and you almost always get uneven lies anyway, no matter how good the shot. I've learnt to deal with uneven lies and they don't bother me that much anymore.the ball 1 inch forward would help?? It's not like winter rules were in effect :) I agree with Roundy that practicing from different lies is fun. My home course is a links course and you almost always get uneven lies anyway, no matter how good the shot. I've learnt to deal with uneven lies and they don't bother me that much anymore.

Our club stays wet most of the time due to its low terrain.Our weekly lowball/dogfights are played as winter rules.In tournys only were it lies.If one is not using score for HC Id say play it however you want unless youre playing a competitive match.Practicing from several different lies is fun and great practice as the pros do this.Great post heartoftexas.Id say if the entire group lifts then all should,otherwise dec1are unplayable take the penalty drop and pray!you want unless youre playing a competitive match.Practicing from several different lies is fun and great practice as the pros do this.Great post heartoftexas.Id say if the entire group lifts then all should,otherwise dec1are unplayable take the penalty drop and pray!

Cheating? Cheating who? Yeah, in a tournament or even if competing against your friends for nothing more than bragging rights but just playing for fun or practice? Cheating? Really? Do you use a GPS or rangefinder? That's not legal under USGA rules...CHEATER!!! Is a three foot putt a gimmie? Most people would say no. Is a 6 inch putt a gimmie? Have you ever putted to 1/2 inch and picked up the ball?...CHEATER!!!!
Go have fun, if you get too serious it's not fun anymore. Rolling out of a bad divot is no cause to start hand wringing as to the deterioration of the sanctity and integrity of the game. Me personally? Again I rarely do it but on the rare occasion I do no one has the right to call me a cheater(as long as no competition is at stake) IF someone wanted to make the case for cheating I'm cheating no one but myself and I(and only I) get to make that judgement call when and if it becomes an issue.
There are so many rules of golf that they have Rules Officials at every professional tournament. Why? Because virtually NO ONE CAN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH AND KNOWS ALL THE RULES TO THE LETTER OF THE LAW! There are probably innumerable rules inadvertantly and routinely broken in ignoran

Cheating? Cheating who? Yeah, in a tournament or even if competing against your friends for nothing more than bragging rights but just playing for fun or practice? Cheating? Really? Do you use a GPS ce every round by most amateurs who play the game.
Have you ever "modified" the rules of any other games just for fun? Ever play "poker" with duces wild? Ever put some type of jackpot on a monopoly board? Ever play backyard football? Did you follow the rules of the NFL or did you "cheat"?
Yes, I agree, that we should all follow the rules inso far as we can. It's just that someone who "doodles" on occasion, and is just out there to have fun, and isn't involved in competition souldn't be subjected to name calling from those who prefer to play the game their way.

I live in the PACNORWEST and I have to say that I really appreciate the "lift, clean, and place" rule. However, your ball must be properly marked prior to lifting. I know the pros appreciate this rule as well; I have watched many competitive PGA golf tournaments allowing for lift, clean, and place due to inclement weather and course conditions. Of course, this is not the same concept as "doodling."
On a separate note, I sometimes like to worsen my lie by placing my ball in a divot, burying the ball in the sand, pushing it down in thick rough, and the like. I find that when I'm playing by myself, "practicing," I obtain maximum training value and opportunity by worsening my lie. Additionally, I will hit several shots from each of these lies; however, I am not keeping official score nor am I posting them for my official handicap and statistical tracking -- Great topic, see you on the links!!le as well; I have watched many competitive PGA golf tournaments allowing for lift, clean, and place due to inclement weather and course conditions. Of course, this is not the same concept as "doodling."
On a separate note, I sometimes like to worsen my lie by placing my ball in a divot, burying the ball in the sand, pushing it down in thick rough, and the like. I find that when I'm playing by myself, "practicing," I obtain maximum training value and opportunity by worsening my lie. Additionally, I will hit several shots from each of these lies; however, I am not keeping official score nor am I posting them for my official handicap and statistical tracking -- Great topic, see you on the links!!

If I'm paying a friendly match and the ball goes into an un-repaired divot or into some Clods footprint in a bunker; I'll improve the lie. We don't play the finely manicured fields that the pros play and we don't have 1600 people pointing out where our lost ball is either. But, for the most part I try to play the ball down. A Tournament is a different story.and we don't have 1600 people pointing out where our lost ball is either. But, for the most part I try to play the ball down. A Tournament is a different story.

there is one time that i move the ball, when the ball is in a deep bunker, the reason for that is because i am disabled and it is simply not safe for me to attempt to climb into a deep trap. i mean i love golf but its not worth hurting myself for. besides i just play with friends or family for the sole purpose oh having a good time away from work, school or anything else that may be going on, i just feel lucky to be able to enjoy a nice day on the courselove golf but its not worth hurting myself for. besides i just play with friends or family for the sole purpose oh having a good time away from work, school or anything else that may be going on, i just feel lucky to be able to enjoy a nice day on the course

i call it cheating

I say it is a penalty. Unless it is a plugged lie, play it as it lies. I play every ball where it lies unless it is plugged due to wet weather.

I see people do this all the time. Even during summer time when the lies are just about perfect anyway. This is a game of integrity, so it should be playes as though you are being followed by an official. It will only make you better when your handicap gets lower anyway. You will know how to hit shots from not so perfect lies and you will know how they react.mmer time when the lies are just about perfect anyway. This is a game of integrity, so it should be playes as though you are being followed by an official. It will only make you better when your handicap gets lower anyway. You will know how to hit shots from not so perfect lies and you will know how they react.

In our work league, we play winter rules. You can improve your lie in the fairway only.

i do it! playing in early spring and fall but on the fairway only. and its called winter rules in wisconsin anyway.. we arent sposta be counting these early and late season rounds to our handicap anyway in wisconsin so i have no problem when the conditions call for it.. we were able to do it in high school matches and college too! but its seasonal and i do not abuse it! in oct november or march and april when there is still snow piles or the fairways havent been cut for a month or cut yet for the season to start i have no problem diddling as you call it.. now if i could bring a broom and sweep the greens from the seeds and sticks and piles of other crap that is on a green also not taken care of when it gets below freezing we could talk but until then Ill Play my winter rules in the faiway with NO GUILT AT ALL! oh did i bring up the fact that the ball only flys like 75% as far when its 40 out?way in wisconsin so i have no problem when the conditions call for it.. we were able to do it in high school matches and college too! but its seasonal and i do not abuse it! in oct november or march and april when there is still snow piles or the fairways havent been cut for a month or cut yet for the season to start i have no problem diddling as you call it.. now if i could bring a broom and sweep the greens from the seeds and sticks and piles of other crap that is on a green also not taken care of when it gets below freezing we could talk but until then Ill Play my winter rules in the faiway with NO GUILT AT ALL! oh did i bring up the fact that the ball only flys like 75% as far when its 40 out?