Hate when this happens

[Swisstrader98]

Played with my usual group on Sun but with one guy as a fourth who we play w occasionally but not all that often.

 

Individual matches, we decide on the bet, then call winter rules based on the course still being soaked and on the first tee this guy we will call James hits his tee shot OB. Proceeds to reload, we all finish up the hole and I’m asking for scores and he says 5! I’m thinking maybe he “forgot” his OB so I say no, “can’t be a 5 with being OB”. He says “what?? that was my breakfast ball. My group ALWAYS plays w a breakfast ball! I said we never called it prior to starting the round, no one else took a mulligan (he says yes, cuz we hit decent shots) and our group never plays mulligans.

 

Went back and forth for a bit and then handed him the card and said “hey, why don’t you keep score”, meaning let’s see if him having to write down forces the issue a bit, but nope, he records a 5!

 

Nice guy but sadly, lost a lot of respect for him.

 

 

[HackerD]

Breakfast ball in a money match is a bit unusual I agree. And it’s rules of golf unless stated otherwise up front. I’m with you. You handled it diplomatically.

[HatsForBats]

I have seen many groups have a breakfast ball rule in a money match. I wouldn't consider it even a bit unusual to allow it but the player should probably know better if they have played with a few unfamiliar groups. Seems like the player genuinely thought they were getting one but I get that it was not stated beforehand. We weren't there so no idea of the players character/attitude.

 

Maybe the best way to handle it would have been to just say "let's cancel all individual bets with you and enjoy our round of golf. Next time you will know that there are no breakfast balls or other exceptions outside of those we agree on before the start of the round". I'm guessing the player thought you were giving in when you handed them the card and suggested they keep score.

[Swisstrader98]

I have seen many groups have a breakfast ball rule in a money match. I wouldn't consider it even a bit unusual to allow it but the player should probably know better if they have played with a few unfamiliar groups. Seems like the player genuinely thought they were getting one but I get that it was not stated beforehand. We weren't there so no idea of the players character/attitude.

 

Maybe the best way to handle it would have been to just say "let's cancel all individual bets with you and enjoy our round of golf. Next time you will know that there are no breakfast balls or other exceptions outside of those we agree on before the start of the round". I'm guessing the player thought you were giving in when you handed them the card and suggested they keep score.

 

Good advice on should have just said cancel individual matches. Had that thought in shower after the round. Lol!

[Lagavulin62]

Well thats just part of gambling. Take in someone new this is not unusual.

[cardoustie]

How much are you playing for?

 

Up here in the winter it's not unusual to have 1 mully a round in the cold weather (range not open), with preferred lies. Has to be called before play starts of course

[Event^Horizon]

Call it what you want, but you are still three off the tee.

[8thehardway]

I'd have asked if his group had any other customs he'll be retroactively imposing on your group.

[lookylookitzadam]

Next time tell him all mulligans will be voted on by the foursome; majority rules. Should work out nicely for your typical 3some and get the point across to him.

[Swisstrader98]

How much are you playing for?

 

Up here in the winter it's not unusual to have 1 mully a round in the cold weather (range not open), with preferred lies. Has to be called before play starts of course

 

The guy tells us he’s only good for playing 9 (even though he stayed for 18), so we played for $20 per 9 holes, so could stand to win/lose $80 for the day.

 

I’ve just never heard of taking a mulligan in a money match without first getting agreement before teeing off. Would be like me taking relief from a tree without penalty and saying “heck, my usual group allows it!”

[sheppy335]

Money on line means no Breakfast ball. Plus last time i looked we arent eating on the course, tell him to man up! Hope you beat his Butt!

[Carl Spackler3]

We usually play wrap around skins in addition to any other bets, so the first hole is critical, there are no breakfast balls on first tee

[Moonlightgrm]

Your diplomacy was awesome! I am curious, how did the other players in your group react to his proclamation of a "breakfast ball"?

[Bonneville85308]

I would never take a mulligan in a match unless it was agreed upon by everyone before anyone hits on the first tee. IMO the guy should not have assumed your group does it just because "his" group usually does it. He should have been told his score with the OB counted on that hole. Maybe the higher score wouldn't have made a difference in the match anyway.

 

The "rule" of one friendly low dollar partners match I occasionally play in is that you can take a mulligan whenever you want, to satisfy your ego after a bad shot, but then your score on the hole doesn't count for the better ball of partners. Usually it's only used by someone who has already blown up on the hole and is out of it anyway.

[dpb5031]

I play money matches all the time where a 1st tee "breakfast ball" is allowed. In fact, with our men's group its standard practice on weekdays because guys are often running from work, getting there barely in time with no opportunity to warm up. On weekends we do not allow breakfast balls.

 

Further, our rule is that if you choose to hit a breakfast ball you MUST use it; you dont get to pick. It's also only available on the first tee.

[MattyO1984]

I have a good friend who always insists if he loses one or knocks one OB that he will drop for 2 on the fairway. He usually does it so he drops it up next to me and typically, I am 30-40 yards past him off the tee. So frustrating!

[DivinDave]

Nope. If its a money game, there are no Breakfast Balls or Mulligans.

[Hateto3Putt]

I've had the opposite happen to me.

 

I was invited to play at my friends club as the 4th in a match. I scrubbed one off the first tee about 80 yards, I picked up my tee and stepped off the box.

 

All three guys were like "what are you doing?, reload, we always get a mulligan on the first tee".

 

I've never played a mulligan, but when in Rome...

 

As these stories usually go around here, I piped my breakfast ball and birdied the hole for the win.

 

I'm like.....

 

[deadsolid...shank]

Doesn’t happen often, but on the occasion when I join or fill in for another group, I try and ask if they have any special rules they use.

[bigmoneyp]

He def should have gotten clarification before hitting the breakfast ball. My group allows it but its well known and stated beforehand. Does your group hole all putts including the 2-3 inch tap ins that just burned the edge?

[deadsolid...shank]

He def should have gotten clarification before hitting the breakfast ball. My group allows it but its well known and stated beforehand. Does your group hole all putts including the 2-3 inch tap ins that just burned the edge?

 

That’s a biggie. I never tap one back to someone until I know how they deal with gimmes.

[NoTalentLefty]

We use a breakfast ball but if used no money from the birdie pot. We even allow a mulligan on front and back but the same rule. BUT on a golf trip, no nothing. Money based on net and a skins game with hcp figured in, one stroke a hole on skins only though. Get your morning ball on the practice range first. That keeps it friendly.

[SelahVi]

I've got no problem with negotiating modifications to the Rules of Golf, even in a money game, provided it doesn't slow down play, but they definitely must be agreed upon in advance.

[Swisstrader98]

He def should have gotten clarification before hitting the breakfast ball. My group allows it but its well known and stated beforehand. Does your group hole all putts including the 2-3 inch tap ins that just burned the edge?

 

You’ve had a 2” putt that burned the edge? Stevie? Stevie Wonder? Was not aware you started playing golf!

[Bush Pilot]

I think I would have said "you can have that mulligan if you want, but I get one to use from the tee later in the round".

 

I'd actually be quite happy with that. He still bogeyed with a mulligan. :)

[rogolf]

I think I would have said "you can have that mulligan if you want, but all three of us get one to use from the tee later in the round".

 

I'd actually be quite happy with that. He still bogeyed with a mulligan. :)

 

Amended the post to make it consistent with the original post. :)

[Roadking2003]

Played with my usual group on Sun but with one guy as a fourth who we play w occasionally but not all that often.

 

Individual matches, we decide on the bet, then call winter rules based on the course still being soaked and on the first tee this guy we will call James hits his tee shot OB. Proceeds to reload, we all finish up the hole and I'm asking for scores and he says 5! I'm thinking maybe he "forgot" his OB so I say no, "can't be a 5 with being OB". He says "what?? that was my breakfast ball. My group ALWAYS plays w a breakfast ball! I said we never called it prior to starting the round, no one else took a mulligan (he says yes, cuz we hit decent shots) and our group never plays mulligans.

 

Went back and forth for a bit and then handed him the card and said "hey, why don't you keep score", meaning let's see if him having to write down forces the issue a bit, but nope, he records a 5!

 

Nice guy but sadly, lost a lot of respect for him.

 

I would never assume mulligans are OK when joining a group that I don't play with. When you join, you play by their rules. Maybe he should have asked what rules you use before he teed off.

[2bGood]

I have to admit, I don't even get the concept of a breakfast ball. Is the one shot in some way supposed to replace a warm up? That is laughable.

 

As said earlier, I would invite the guy to take is 7 or to drop out of the bets.

[me05501]

So you declare winter rules, then deny someone a first tee mulligan?

 

Interesting.

[deadsolid...shank]

So you declare winter rules, then deny someone a first tee mulligan?

 

Interesting.

 

It’s all about the “rules” of the day for each particular group.

 

I think the key factor here is, when you join with a different group, don’t assume anything in regards to any special rule adjustments.