golfrewind.com

JimC · #46 (**permalink**) June 2nd, 2007, 02:06 PM

In competitions, you play by the rules. If it's stroke play, you hole everything out unless it's a best ball format and you pick up because your partner already has the best score.

For handicap purposes, it's different. If you pick up on a hole you post your "most likely" score that you would have made had you continued play on the hole (but no more than ESC). You don't have to complete holes to post scores. As a matter of fact, you could hit as few as 13 shots on the golf course and post an 18 hole score, but this is an extreme example. I could hit 13 tee shots on 13 different holes, pick up the ball on each hole and score what I most likely would have made on the hole had I continued play. I then score the remaining 5 holes net par. I could post that score. Weird, but true.

Possibly even more strange is that I can not post a score if I play two balls all the way around 18 holes and hole out every putt. I think I should be posting two scores.

76bearsfly · #47 (**permalink**) December 8th, 2007, 08:19 AM

We have to putt everything out and post all scores. Real simple. If we don't, the integrity of the handicap system is compromised and there is no a level playing field. This simple, bright line rule is the essence of the game.

***Fourputt*** · #48 (**permalink**) December 8th, 2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76bearsfly

We have to putt everything out and post all scores. Real simple. If we don't, the integrity of the handicap system is compromised and there is no a level playing field. This simple, bright line rule is the essence of the game.

The rules do not require that as an absolute. You can take an "X" on a hole and still turn in the card with the score that would most likely have been made. And if you are putting for a 10, it would have to be adjusted for ESC anyway, so why waste your time and make the group behind you wait on yet another meaningless stroke if you don't have to.

I play by the rules, but with the guys I play with most often, we usually play some form of match, but with the proviso that the cards get returned for handicap, so when a putt or a hole is conceded, we still mark the most likely score that the player would have made had he finished out the hole, as provided for in Section 4-1 of the USGA Handicap Manual.

alecmoore · #49 (**permalink**) January 10th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Stan, seems to me like you are right in two of your experiences but hopelessly wrong in the other, i.e. the scramble. The first ball to go in the hole determines the number of strokes for that hole and your Pro is a fool for suggesting anything different.

SlammerSam · #50 (**permalink**) May 2nd, 2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaderunner

This is why we have rules in this game...to allay and address any disputes that may arise...and arise they will. Don't be ashamed to carry a rule book (pocket-sized, fits right in the bag). The first one you might point out to your playing competitors and your partner is this one:

1-3 Agreement to Waive Rules
Players must not agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or to waive any penalty incurred.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 1-3:
Match play — Disqualification of both sides; Stroke play — Disqualification of competitors concerned.
(Agreeing to play out of turn in stroke play — see Rule 10-2c.)

Rule 1-3.

In my opinion, witnessing a 5-foot gimme and allowing it to pass uncontested is an implicit agreement to waive the rules and merits disqualification for all involved...if you saw someone do it on another green in another group you wouldn't think that fair, would you?

The rules work to your advantage as much as they penalize you, too. The muck you mentioned could have been considered ground under repair or, as you said, you might have been offered relief from the path or it's shoulder by local rule. Don't take a competitor's word for it. Every local scramble I've ever played in had a pre-tournament gathering to go over the rules in general and to address any questions. I would have no compunction about getting a ruling, especially in a shootout where I may not get another chance.

You never mentioned how you and your partner fared in the competition...I can understand your frustration and hence the rant but, in the future, please refrain from the language infractions in your post.

Shade

Way to go Shade...great response!!!!!!!

Sam

Rony · #51 (**permalink**) May 2nd, 2008, 09:00 PM

[quote=shaderunner;295434]This is why we have rules in this game...to allay and address any disputes that may arise...and arise they will. Don't be ashamed to carry a rule book (pocket-sized, fits right in the bag). The rules work to your advantage as much as they penalize you, too.

Well stated. At my club here in NY, we run a lot of tournaments. Men's, Ladie's, and Senior Men's. Many times, those little USGA Rule Books come ripping out of the bags! WE take the rules kind of serious here. The "Catch Phrase" around here is; "Don't want to play by the rules......Go play "Mini-Golf." The best part in the above quote is; The rules will help you as often as they will hurt you.

Dave Burke · #52 (**permalink**) May 2nd, 2008, 11:06 PM

Hey Stan,

I say let those that want to play by the rules play by the rules.
The pros in the same situation would have said no big deal.

Had there been big money on the line maybe it would have made a difference.

golfrewind.com

Register

Log In

Golf Rewind