pick up/mark ball for opponent? also, ready golf?

[djbehr]

other questions too

A few of etiquette questions (on "ready golf" courses, as most are, right?)

Just to add, none of this is in tournament play...

1. I notice pros will always pick up and mark their ball if they're not finishing. I of course will if it's anywhere near their line. If the guy I'm playing with is good, I'll ask him early on if he wants me to mark balls NOT in his line. I presume this is how it should be handled?

2. Sometimes I'll get to the green well before my opponent when he's off the green. I can usually putt well before he is ready. Is this OK? I am one of those people who is probably OVERLY concerned about playing quickly.

3. Provisional balls are hit after everyone else tees off, right? Pretty sure they are.

4. Don't stand behind people when they're hitting or putting? I will offer to stand behind people to help spot their ball if it's into the sun, but usually tell them why. Is this right? Is standing behind people to get a read rude?

TIA

[SHERO]

1.You should mark your ball anyway, not for your opponent, but as start of your pre shot routine, or to line up your ball. It is also good etiquette to get your ball out of your opponents vision, so yes!

2. In a practice with your mate, I see no problem, In match play, I reckon you should wait your turn!

3. Yes!

4.Yes, you or your caddy are not allowed stand behind you during your shot, after the ball is struck, you may jump in to the line to get a read!

[SkiHound]

The only time I don't mark my ball is if its location is well away from where it could be a distraction to another player and if I'm sure it's clean.

 

I'd nevermark an opponent's ball in any kind of serious match. I also wouldn't mark anyone else's ball unless I knew them. When with my regular playing partners we occasionally mark someone else's ball in casual rounds. This would most likely be a situation like the following: Player A plays a bunker shot to 6', player B marks player A's ball so that A can rake the bunker and player C can play their shot.

 

If you're playing any kind of real match (match play) the player furthest from the hole plays first. If you're nearer the hole and play your shot your opponent can make you replay the shot. In casual rounds with friends there's a lot to be said for ready golf.

[hbear]

Also note, that if you don't mark your ball on the green...and your opponant is on the green and hits your ball with his, he incurs a 2 stroke penalty.

To avoid this, all players I know mark their balls on the green wherever it is.