Golfing By The Rules & Others Not

EddieGarrison Professional Champion
Go to Last Reply 141 Views 45 Replies 1 Like
I'm sure we have all heard this from someone else that plays golf. "Oh yeah, I shoot in the mid 80's [or insert score here] when I play". After you talk to them about your latest round or your golf game. You ask them to join you on the course and you soon realize why they seem to think they shoot that score. When they are in the rough they "fluff" up their lie. If they hit it OB off the tee they either go up and drop the ball where it looked like it went out or they just hit another one and donâ€™t add any strokes to their score. I recently played with a gentleman I talked to in a restaurant after a recent round and I talked him in to going out and playing a round with us. He claimed he shot in the low 80's from the same tees we used. Funny how it all came forward how he does this. Each time he was in the rough he would try to "improve" his lie if he thought we were not looking. On one tee box, he hit 2 drives OB. On the first one he said "Guess I better get up there and drop". In which I quickly told him he was hitting three from the tee again. He didn't like that at all. And I explained to him that was the proper rules of hitting a tee shot OB. The round went like this all day. Us trying to tell him what the rules were and it didn't matter if he was behind a tree he couldn't move the ball from behind it just to get a better shot at the green. I won't go into the entire round but Mr. "Low 80's" shot a a nice 107 on the round. And of course he offered up the normal excuses. I didn't putt well today, my driver was off etc. etc. No, playing by the rules is just tougher than hacking around with your buddies. Just wondering if any of guys & gals have ever ran into anyone like this? I always play by the rules when I play. I play in tournaments and they are strictly by the rule book. Besides, if you don't play by the rules, how do you expect to get better?
MikeNomgi Professional Champion
# 1 4/14/2011 9:10:52 AM
Probably 20% of recreational golfers play in the manner you describe. It's their money they're spending, and they are really fooling no one but themselves. It becomes an issue if and when they play in a competition such as leagues or tournaments. First, they'll get skinned alive because their true handicap is 20 strokes higher than they claim, and secondly, they will get called on their infractions and understand very quickly the need to play by the rules.
Jim Ludden Professional Champion
# 2 4/14/2011 9:34:35 AM
I see and play with these types all the time at my club. For me, it makes no difference on what they score or how they come up with that "nice par" after hitting it OB, chunking their chip, and missing the the 2' come backer" UNLESS I'm betting with them or this guys playing in a tourney, then we will have a problem. If it's a bet then I will call it each and every time he violates the rules and on a tourney it's my duty to protect the field.
BUCKNUT Legend
# 3 4/14/2011 9:39:55 AM
Yes, I have run into it quite a few times. I think someone on here a month ago or so named them "vanity" golfers. These kind of people always come out in the wash. I also have played with people that do the "within the leather" on there putts. I prefer to putt mine out because I have been know to miss "within the leather" putts. Plus what if someone has a 6ft. tall putter like Adam Scott! I could shave 10 strokes like that! ;)
BUCKNUT Legend
# 4 4/14/2011 9:42:36 AM
I see and play with these types all the time at my club. For me, it makes no difference on what they score or how they come up with that "nice par" after hitting it OB, chunking their chip, and missing the the 2' come backer" UNLESS I'm betting with them or this guys playing in a tourney, then we will have a problem. If it's a bet then I will call it each and every time he violates the rules and on a tourney it's my duty to protect the field. Exactley Jim, I don't let it bother me either UNLESS there is money or something of value involved. I'm too busy trying to keep my head in my own game.
EddieGarrison Professional Champion
# 5 4/14/2011 9:53:09 AM
I wasn't saying this bothered me. I was just posting this to see how many people run into this on the golf course. I could care less how they play (by the rules or not) when they play to be honest with you. I just think it is funny/sad they think they actually score that well when they really don't. And like BUCKNUT I too putt out every putt no matter how close it is to the hole. You'd be surprised how an "easy" 6 inch putt gets harder when money or a tournament victory is on the line.
greenjacket13 Legend
# 6 4/14/2011 9:54:01 AM
Yes, I have run into it quite a few times. I think someone on here a month ago or so named them "vanity" golfers. These kind of people always come out in the wash. I also have played with people that do the "within the leather" on there putts. I prefer to putt mine out because I have been know to miss "within the leather" putts. Plus what if someone has a 6ft. tall putter like Adam Scott! I could shave 10 strokes like that! ;) i need a 40 foot putter. it's inside the leather. it will extend like a ball retriever. i think i am on to something. anyway, i don't mind too much. if someone hits a bad one off the tee and it's gonna start a meltdown and the beginning of not having a good time, i'll tell them to hit another with no penalty or if it can damage a club and they are worried about hitting it then i don't care during a casual round but like you guys said when it means something, you gotta play it straight. Mike is right, it's there money and i could give a damn if a guy wants to say he's a 20 handicap instead of a 26. just don't brag too much or take a shot at my game or i might have to call you out in front of everyone
Golfman1968 Professional Champion
# 7 4/14/2011 10:44:36 AM
Sometimes my wife goes to the course and walks with me when I play and she is my official scorer (trust me she knows the rules). I played the other day with a friend who plays gimies and all that. He was in a ditch (red lined area) and was grounding his club, moving sticks leaves etc while in the hazzard. We putt out and he told my wife he had a bogey, and she said what about the 10-15 strokes in the ditch...He looked puzzled, I explained the rules. He kept his own score after that.
EddieGarrison Professional Champion
# 8 4/14/2011 11:07:30 AM
Sometimes my wife goes to the course and walks with me when I play and she is my official scorer (trust me she knows the rules). I played the other day with a friend who plays gimies and all that. He was in a ditch (red lined area) and was grounding his club, moving sticks leaves etc while in the hazzard. We putt out and he told my wife he had a bogey, and she said what about the 10-15 strokes in the ditch...He looked puzzled, I explained the rules. He kept his own score after that. Classic. Thats a funny story Golfman thanks for sharing that one. Mad me laugh =)
Racer888 Legend
# 9 4/14/2011 11:43:44 AM
Those are the guys you like to get on the course and play for money. Then watch them like a hawk. Those type of players don't bother me as it is only themselves they are kidding and if they are keeping a handicap they will get destroyed in a tournament. The ones that bother me are the opposite guys, you know the ones who can shoot 80 but enter 85 or 90 to keep their handicap inflated. When they shoot a good round they seem to "forget" to enter in their handicap but when they have a bad day it sure goes in.
greenjacket13 Legend
# 10 4/14/2011 11:47:40 AM
Those are the guys you like to get on the course and play for money. Then watch them like a hawk. Those type of players don't bother me as it is only themselves they are kidding and if they are keeping a handicap they will get destroyed in a tournament. The ones that bother me are the opposite guys, you know the ones who can shoot 80 but enter 85 or 90 to keep their handicap inflated. When they shoot a good round they seem to "forget" to enter in their handicap but when they have a bad day it sure goes in. that is the worst. cheat yourself all you want but to go into a tournament and cheat everyone else is just pathetic.
72Wannabe Legend
# 11 4/14/2011 11:53:50 AM
I have two friends I play golf with regularly. Two of us play by the rules. The other guy does not. We are good enough friends that we don't let that bother us to the point we don't play golf with him. Instead we give him a hard time about it. He'll say something similar to what you mentioned when he hits it out of bounds "I'll just drop up there" and we say "Or, you could hit three from the tee like you are supposed to do". He drops anyway. Or he'll fluff up that lie or move it out of a divot and we ask him him if he'd like to put a tee in the ground.... Despite his lack of counting strokes, we have better scores anyway and we remind him of it constantly. On the course he calls both of us "Rules Official 1" and "Rules Official 2". Bottom line is that we don't let it get in the way of our friendship....we don't bet with him either.
PISC Legend
# 12 4/14/2011 2:05:32 PM
It really is irrelevant because as you know "He/She is only lying to themselves!"
bill321 Professional Champion
# 13 4/14/2011 2:21:34 PM
Probably 20% of recreational golfers play in the manner you describe. My experience has been closer to 99%. It's so pathetic. This morning I played with a guy who literally couldn't hit the ball square or straight for most of the round...opped balls, wormburners, etc. He had to be close to 120 or 130. Then on #18 he says he scored 88 on that same course yesterday!
Mongo68 Legend
# 14 4/14/2011 3:00:06 PM
Probably 20% of recreational golfers play in the manner you describe. I think the number is MUCH higher. It's pretty rare for me to play where I don't see SOME rules infraction that isn't recorded or a penalty stroke that isn't enforced. People that don't play by the rules are my favorite to play against, especially for money. I just make it clear that we are playing by the rule book, not what they THINK the rules are. Also, there will be no quitting on the bet because they didn't understand a rule. Put the money up front or give it to a third party. That's why it's always nice to carry the USGA's little rule book in my bag. I might not know every last little rule, but if I'm wrong I'll accept what I deserve. If you're ever in doubt about a rule, ask.
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 15 4/14/2011 4:58:56 PM
I've noticed I follow the rules when I play good, and don't when I'm sucking. A tournament a year and a half ago I hit me tee shot in a yellow staked hazard that I did not clear. I knew I should have re-teed, but took the drop playing 3 on the other side instead. Then when I was playing really well in very windy conditions 2 years ago, I grounded my putter behind the ball and the ball then moved. Counted the penalty, moved on to make a great round turn into a good one. I know the rules pretty well, I have to if I want to play in my state's tournaments, but there are times when I just saw f em'.

Professional Champion

141 Views 45 Replies 1 Like

I'm sure we have all heard this from someone else that plays golf. "Oh yeah, I shoot in the mid 80's [or insert score here] when I play". After you talk to them about your latest round or your golf game.

You ask them to join you on the course and you soon realize why they seem to think they shoot that score. When they are in the rough they "fluff" up their lie. If they hit it OB off the tee they either go up and drop the ball where it looked like it went out or they just hit another one and donâ€™t add any strokes to their score.

I recently played with a gentleman I talked to in a restaurant after a recent round and I talked him in to going out and playing a round with us. He claimed he shot in the low 80's from the same tees we used.

Funny how it all came forward how he does this. Each time he was in the rough he would try to "improve" his lie if he thought we were not looking. On one tee box, he hit 2 drives OB. On the first one he said "Guess I better get up there and drop".

In which I quickly told him he was hitting three from the tee again. He didn't like that at all. And I explained to him that was the proper rules of hitting a tee shot OB.

The round went like this all day. Us trying to tell him what the rules were and it didn't matter if he was behind a tree he couldn't move the ball from behind it just to get a better shot at the green.

I won't go into the entire round but Mr. "Low 80's" shot a a nice 107 on the round. And of course he offered up the normal excuses. I didn't putt well today, my driver was off etc. etc.

No, playing by the rules is just tougher than hacking around with your buddies. Just wondering if any of guys & gals have ever ran into anyone like this?

I always play by the rules when I play. I play in tournaments and they are strictly by the rule book. Besides, if you don't play by the rules, how do you expect to get better?

MikeNomgi

Professional Champion

# 1 4/14/2011 9:10:52 AM

Probably 20% of recreational golfers play in the manner you describe. It's their money they're spending, and they are really fooling no one but themselves.

It becomes an issue if and when they play in a competition such as leagues or tournaments. First, they'll get skinned alive because their true handicap is 20 strokes higher than they claim, and secondly, they will get called on their infractions and understand very quickly the need to play by the rules.

Jim Ludden

Professional Champion

# 2 4/14/2011 9:34:35 AM

I see and play with these types all the time at my club.

For me, it makes no difference on what they score or how they come up with that "nice par" after hitting it OB, chunking their chip, and missing the the 2' come backer"

UNLESS I'm betting with them or this guys playing in a tourney, then we will have a problem. If it's a bet then I will call it each and every time he violates the rules and on a tourney it's my duty to protect the field.

BUCKNUT

Legend

# 3 4/14/2011 9:39:55 AM

Yes, I have run into it quite a few times. I think someone on here a month ago or so named them "vanity" golfers. These kind of people always come out in the wash. I also have played with people that do the "within the leather" on there putts. I prefer to putt mine out because I have been know to miss "within the leather" putts. Plus what if someone has a 6ft. tall putter like Adam Scott! I could shave 10 strokes like that! ;)

BUCKNUT

Legend

# 4 4/14/2011 9:42:36 AM

I see and play with these types all the time at my club.

For me, it makes no difference on what they score or how they come up with that "nice par" after hitting it OB, chunking their chip, and missing the the 2' come backer"

UNLESS I'm betting with them or this guys playing in a tourney, then we will have a problem. If it's a bet then I will call it each and every time he violates the rules and on a tourney it's my duty to protect the field.

Exactley Jim, I don't let it bother me either UNLESS there is money or something of value involved. I'm too busy trying to keep my head in my own game.

EddieGarrison

Professional Champion

# 5 4/14/2011 9:53:09 AM

I wasn't saying this bothered me. I was just posting this to see how many people run into this on the golf course.

I could care less how they play (by the rules or not) when they play to be honest with you. I just think it is funny/sad they think they actually score that well when they really don't.

And like BUCKNUT I too putt out every putt no matter how close it is to the hole. You'd be surprised how an "easy" 6 inch putt gets harder when money or a tournament victory is on the line.

greenjacket13

Legend

# 6 4/14/2011 9:54:01 AM

Yes, I have run into it quite a few times. I think someone on here a month ago or so named them "vanity" golfers. These kind of people always come out in the wash. I also have played with people that do the "within the leather" on there putts. I prefer to putt mine out because I have been know to miss "within the leather" putts. Plus what if someone has a 6ft. tall putter like Adam Scott! I could shave 10 strokes like that! ;)

i need a 40 foot putter. it's inside the leather. it will extend like a ball retriever. i think i am on to something. anyway, i don't mind too much. if someone hits a bad one off the tee and it's gonna start a meltdown and the beginning of not having a good time, i'll tell them to hit another with no penalty or if it can damage a club and they are worried about hitting it then i don't care during a casual round but like you guys said when it means something, you gotta play it straight. Mike is right, it's there money and i could give a damn if a guy wants to say he's a 20 handicap instead of a 26. just don't brag too much or take a shot at my game or i might have to call you out in front of everyone

Golfman1968

Professional Champion

# 7 4/14/2011 10:44:36 AM

Sometimes my wife goes to the course and walks with me when I play and she is my official scorer (trust me she knows the rules). I played the other day with a friend who plays gimies and all that. He was in a ditch (red lined area) and was grounding his club, moving sticks leaves etc while in the hazzard. We putt out and he told my wife he had a bogey, and she said what about the 10-15 strokes in the ditch...He looked puzzled, I explained the rules. He kept his own score after that.

EddieGarrison

Professional Champion

# 8 4/14/2011 11:07:30 AM

Sometimes my wife goes to the course and walks with me when I play and she is my official scorer (trust me she knows the rules). I played the other day with a friend who plays gimies and all that. He was in a ditch (red lined area) and was grounding his club, moving sticks leaves etc while in the hazzard. We putt out and he told my wife he had a bogey, and she said what about the 10-15 strokes in the ditch...He looked puzzled, I explained the rules. He kept his own score after that.

Classic. Thats a funny story Golfman thanks for sharing that one. Mad me laugh =)

Racer888

Legend

# 9 4/14/2011 11:43:44 AM

Those are the guys you like to get on the course and play for money. Then watch them like a hawk. Those type of players don't bother me as it is only themselves they are kidding and if they are keeping a handicap they will get destroyed in a tournament. The ones that bother me are the opposite guys, you know the ones who can shoot 80 but enter 85 or 90 to keep their handicap inflated. When they shoot a good round they seem to "forget" to enter in their handicap but when they have a bad day it sure goes in.

greenjacket13

Legend

# 10 4/14/2011 11:47:40 AM

Those are the guys you like to get on the course and play for money. Then watch them like a hawk. Those type of players don't bother me as it is only themselves they are kidding and if they are keeping a handicap they will get destroyed in a tournament. The ones that bother me are the opposite guys, you know the ones who can shoot 80 but enter 85 or 90 to keep their handicap inflated. When they shoot a good round they seem to "forget" to enter in their handicap but when they have a bad day it sure goes in.

that is the worst. cheat yourself all you want but to go into a tournament and cheat everyone else is just pathetic.

72Wannabe

Legend

# 11 4/14/2011 11:53:50 AM

I have two friends I play golf with regularly. Two of us play by the rules. The other guy does not. We are good enough friends that we don't let that bother us to the point we don't play golf with him. Instead we give him a hard time about it.

He'll say something similar to what you mentioned when he hits it out of bounds "I'll just drop up there" and we say "Or, you could hit three from the tee like you are supposed to do". He drops anyway. Or he'll fluff up that lie or move it out of a divot and we ask him him if he'd like to put a tee in the ground....

Despite his lack of counting strokes, we have better scores anyway and we remind him of it constantly.

On the course he calls both of us "Rules Official 1" and "Rules Official 2".

Bottom line is that we don't let it get in the way of our friendship....we don't bet with him either.

PISC

Legend

# 12 4/14/2011 2:05:32 PM

It really is irrelevant because as you know "He/She is only lying to themselves!"

bill321

Professional Champion

# 13 4/14/2011 2:21:34 PM

Probably 20% of recreational golfers play in the manner you describe.

My experience has been closer to 99%. It's so pathetic. This morning I played with a guy who literally couldn't hit the ball square or straight for most of the round...opped balls, wormburners, etc. He had to be close to 120 or 130. Then on #18 he says he scored 88 on that same course yesterday!

Mongo68

Legend

# 14 4/14/2011 3:00:06 PM

Probably 20% of recreational golfers play in the manner you describe.

I think the number is MUCH higher. It's pretty rare for me to play where I don't see SOME rules infraction that isn't recorded or a penalty stroke that isn't enforced.

People that don't play by the rules are my favorite to play against, especially for money. I just make it clear that we are playing by the rule book, not what they THINK the rules are. Also, there will be no quitting on the bet because they didn't understand a rule. Put the money up front or give it to a third party. That's why it's always nice to carry the USGA's little rule book in my bag.

I might not know every last little rule, but if I'm wrong I'll accept what I deserve. If you're ever in doubt about a rule, ask.

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 15 4/14/2011 4:58:56 PM

I've noticed I follow the rules when I play good, and don't when I'm sucking. A tournament a year and a half ago I hit me tee shot in a yellow staked hazard that I did not clear. I knew I should have re-teed, but took the drop playing 3 on the other side instead. Then when I was playing really well in very windy conditions 2 years ago, I grounded my putter behind the ball and the ball then moved. Counted the penalty, moved on to make a great round turn into a good one.

I know the rules pretty well, I have to if I want to play in my state's tournaments, but there are times when I just saw f em'.

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