Pace of Play - Putting | USHandicap Classic

heartotexas Professional Champion
Go to Last Reply 170 Views 28 Replies 2 Likes
To improve the pace of play, when you putt and come up short or go a little long or wide, say no more than 2 feet from the cup, do you putt it out right away even though others in the group are further away or do you follow strict etiquette and mark your ball and putt last?
Goynes42 Professional Champion
# 1 5/27/2011 2:47:49 PM
Most of the time yes. If I'm in a tournament and it's a tricky little putt (or if I would have to stand awkwardly to avoid standing on someone's line), then I'll mark.
ArizonaBlue Professional Champion
# 2 5/27/2011 2:50:47 PM
Ditto with what Goynes42 said. I've missed my share of short putts that I had to stand awkwardly.
armygrunt47 Professional Champion
# 3 5/27/2011 3:19:13 PM
If it is a straight putt with little to no break than I will putt it out.( unless I have to stand in someones line) If the break is more than one cup out, I will mark it and let someone else hit while I try to read the putt.
HIGH_LANDER Legend
# 4 5/27/2011 3:21:46 PM
I,mark the Golf Ball and Step Away.
72Wannabe Legend
# 5 5/27/2011 4:10:32 PM
I putt out every chance I have unless I'm standing in someone's line.
Robert Premeaux Jr. Professional Champion
# 6 5/27/2011 5:39:57 PM
It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing. The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark. The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out? Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out?
armygrunt47 Professional Champion
# 7 5/27/2011 5:46:33 PM
It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing. The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark. The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out? Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out? Everyone that I play with on a regular basis knows that I like to putt the ball out no matter how far the ball is from the hole. The only time they even attempt to kick the ball back to me is if it is resting on the lip. Even then, I like to putt out.
Robert Premeaux Jr. Professional Champion
# 8 5/27/2011 6:00:20 PM
It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing. The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark. The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out? Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out? Everyone that I play with on a regular basis knows that I like to putt the ball out no matter how far the ball is from the hole. The only time they even attempt to kick the ball back to me is if it is resting on the lip. Even then, I like to putt out. Me too. A good friend of mine always asks, even if my ball is on the lip. I appreciate it. It's fun to hear the ball rattle in the hole. :) Nothing bothers me more than the "that's good" guys who bang back 3-footers to you as if they're gimmes (as if such a thing as a "gimme" even exists!). But I've also been in the awkward position of that guy who banged my ball back at me being the same guy who got me on a $200 course I otherwise wouldn't have got to play. And typically on a course where pace of play isn't even an issue. VERY aggravating.
Mongo68 Legend
# 9 5/27/2011 6:05:39 PM
Most of the time yes. If I'm in a tournament and it's a tricky little putt (or if I would have to stand awkwardly to avoid standing on someone's line), then I'll mark.[/quote I'll second that motion.
ParSeeker Legend
# 10 5/27/2011 6:07:48 PM
It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing. The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark. The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out? Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out? All good considerations that I agree with unless the lie is funky or I'm peeved because I thought I should have made the first one. You raise an interesting question about getting a gimmee. We like to think everyone knows and "plays by the rules" but that isn't always the case and frankly people sometimes have their own rules, right or wrong. If someone giving the putt isn't acceptable then the safest thing is to state it up front before the round and not assume it. If I'm playing a casual round with my friends or family I don't worry much about but if I'm playing a round that I intend to use for my handicap or say a virtual competition I make it clear at the beginning that I'm putting out, no mulligans, no winter rules, etc.
Gilbert Moreno Professional Champion
# 11 5/27/2011 6:19:09 PM
When playing a stroke play tournament, there is no such thing as a "gimmie". If someone hits it back to you, you must replace and putt out. A "gimmie" is not a word to be found in any book of rules. As for pace of play, putt out if you are close and not disturbing someone else's line.
Robert Premeaux Jr. Professional Champion
# 12 5/27/2011 6:22:58 PM
It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing. The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark. The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out? Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out? All good considerations that I agree with unless the lie is funky or I'm peeved because I thought I should have made the first one. You raise an interesting question about getting a gimmee. We like to think everyone knows and "plays by the rules" but that isn't always the case and frankly people sometimes have their own rules, right or wrong. If someone giving the putt isn't acceptable then the safest thing is to state it up front before the round and not assume it. If I'm playing a casual round with my friends or family I don't worry much about but if I'm playing a round that I intend to use for my handicap or say a virtual competition I make it clear at the beginning that I'm putting out, no mulligans, no winter rules, etc. Smart on your part ... to declare your intentions. Marking and waiting doesn't necessarily take much longer if all members of the group know how to play and don't waste time. But marking and waiting DOES take much longer when the group is made up of four of those guys who are standing around watching and not really even waiting ... the type that gets that deer-in-headlights look when you look at them and tell them, "you're up." I always think "shoot me" to myself when I see that look. Not everybody is a true-blue golfer.
armygrunt47 Professional Champion
# 13 5/27/2011 6:29:12 PM
I have also found that if you start scoring better than your playing partners on a regular basis, there is no such thing as a gimme in their vocabulary. Its funny how those things work.
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 14 5/27/2011 6:37:58 PM
If it's a tournament I'll mark it. If it's not I don't really care and just putt the thing.
ParSeeker Legend
# 15 5/27/2011 7:54:06 PM
I have also found that if you start scoring better than your playing partners on a regular basis, there is no such thing as a gimme in their vocabulary. Its funny how those things work. and that's the truth! :)

heartotexas

Professional Champion

Go to Last Reply

170 Views 28 Replies 2 Likes

To improve the pace of play, when you putt and come up short or go a little long or wide, say no more than 2 feet from the cup, do you putt it out right away even though others in the group are further away or do you follow strict etiquette and mark your ball and putt last?

Goynes42

Professional Champion

# 1 5/27/2011 2:47:49 PM

Most of the time yes. If I'm in a tournament and it's a tricky little putt (or if I would have to stand awkwardly to avoid standing on someone's line), then I'll mark.

ArizonaBlue

Professional Champion

# 2 5/27/2011 2:50:47 PM

Ditto with what Goynes42 said. I've missed my share of short putts that I had to stand awkwardly.

armygrunt47

Professional Champion

# 3 5/27/2011 3:19:13 PM

If it is a straight putt with little to no break than I will putt it out.( unless I have to stand in someones line) If the break is more than one cup out, I will mark it and let someone else hit while I try to read the putt.

HIGH_LANDER

Legend

# 4 5/27/2011 3:21:46 PM

I,mark the Golf Ball and Step Away.

72Wannabe

Legend

# 5 5/27/2011 4:10:32 PM

I putt out every chance I have unless I'm standing in someone's line.

Robert Premeaux Jr.

Professional Champion

# 6 5/27/2011 5:39:57 PM

It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing.

The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark.

The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out?

Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out?

armygrunt47

Professional Champion

# 7 5/27/2011 5:46:33 PM

It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing.

The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark.

The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out?

Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out?

Everyone that I play with on a regular basis knows that I like to putt the ball out no matter how far the ball is from the hole. The only time they even attempt to kick the ball back to me is if it is resting on the lip. Even then, I like to putt out.

Robert Premeaux Jr.

Professional Champion

# 8 5/27/2011 6:00:20 PM

It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing.

The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark.

The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out?

Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out?

Everyone that I play with on a regular basis knows that I like to putt the ball out no matter how far the ball is from the hole. The only time they even attempt to kick the ball back to me is if it is resting on the lip. Even then, I like to putt out.

Me too. A good friend of mine always asks, even if my ball is on the lip. I appreciate it. It's fun to hear the ball rattle in the hole. :)

Nothing bothers me more than the "that's good" guys who bang back 3-footers to you as if they're gimmes (as if such a thing as a "gimme" even exists!). But I've also been in the awkward position of that guy who banged my ball back at me being the same guy who got me on a $200 course I otherwise wouldn't have got to play. And typically on a course where pace of play isn't even an issue. VERY aggravating.

Mongo68

Legend

# 9 5/27/2011 6:05:39 PM

Most of the time yes. If I'm in a tournament and it's a tricky little putt (or if I would have to stand awkwardly to avoid standing on someone's line), then I'll mark.[/quote

I'll second that motion.

ParSeeker

Legend

# 10 5/27/2011 6:07:48 PM

It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing.

The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark.

The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out?

Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out?

All good considerations that I agree with unless the lie is funky or I'm peeved because I thought I should have made the first one. You raise an interesting question about getting a gimmee. We like to think everyone knows and "plays by the rules" but that isn't always the case and frankly people sometimes have their own rules, right or wrong. If someone giving the putt isn't acceptable then the safest thing is to state it up front before the round and not assume it. If I'm playing a casual round with my friends or family I don't worry much about but if I'm playing a round that I intend to use for my handicap or say a virtual competition I make it clear at the beginning that I'm putting out, no mulligans, no winter rules, etc.

Gilbert Moreno

Professional Champion

# 11 5/27/2011 6:19:09 PM

When playing a stroke play tournament, there is no such thing as a "gimmie". If someone hits it back to you, you must replace and putt out. A "gimmie" is not a word to be found in any book of rules. As for pace of play, putt out if you are close and not disturbing someone else's line.

Robert Premeaux Jr.

Professional Champion

# 12 5/27/2011 6:22:58 PM

It depends on how stacked the course is, how fast our group is playing and how fast we need to be playing.

The general answer is: If my stance is clear, I'll almost always putt. If my stance isn't clear, I'll mark. If I have any doubt about the putt regardless of stance, I'll mark.

The real question is what do you do when one of the golfers you're playing with knocks the ball back to you before you've had a chance to putt out?

Do you take it or do you insult the person and further hold up the group by dropping the ball and putting it out?

All good considerations that I agree with unless the lie is funky or I'm peeved because I thought I should have made the first one. You raise an interesting question about getting a gimmee. We like to think everyone knows and "plays by the rules" but that isn't always the case and frankly people sometimes have their own rules, right or wrong. If someone giving the putt isn't acceptable then the safest thing is to state it up front before the round and not assume it. If I'm playing a casual round with my friends or family I don't worry much about but if I'm playing a round that I intend to use for my handicap or say a virtual competition I make it clear at the beginning that I'm putting out, no mulligans, no winter rules, etc.

Smart on your part ... to declare your intentions.

Marking and waiting doesn't necessarily take much longer if all members of the group know how to play and don't waste time. But marking and waiting DOES take much longer when the group is made up of four of those guys who are standing around watching and not really even waiting ... the type that gets that deer-in-headlights look when you look at them and tell them, "you're up." I always think "shoot me" to myself when I see that look. Not everybody is a true-blue golfer.

armygrunt47

Professional Champion

# 13 5/27/2011 6:29:12 PM

I have also found that if you start scoring better than your playing partners on a regular basis, there is no such thing as a gimme in their vocabulary. Its funny how those things work.

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 14 5/27/2011 6:37:58 PM

If it's a tournament I'll mark it. If it's not I don't really care and just putt the thing.

ParSeeker

Legend

# 15 5/27/2011 7:54:06 PM

I have also found that if you start scoring better than your playing partners on a regular basis, there is no such thing as a gimme in their vocabulary. Its funny how those things work.

and that's the truth! :)

COMMUNITY