Imposter "Rules Official" Provides ruling.

[2bGood]

The title is a bit of click bate  as strictly speaking there was no 'imposter' -but here his the scenario.

 

A player in an event is provided a 'ruling' form an individual the player believes to be a rules official. The 'ruling' is wrong and the player is penalised for it. What happens?

 

This almost happened but luckily the 'ruling' was correct. In this case it was volunteer marshal at the event that does know the rules but was being a bit too proactive in sharing them with player(s) giving the impression he was an RO. 

 

I always wondered how it would have worked out if the ruling was wrong. Does the player have a responsibly to verify credentials?

 

 

Edited June 10, 2021 by 2bGood

[Halebopp]

Yes, the player is responsible for figuring out whether or not the person is a member of the Competition Committee and, ultimately, the player is also expected to know the rules himself/herself.

[antip]

I am only an RO, meaning a player has a significant degree of protection from any mistake I make, in an event for which I am designated as an RO. Any other time, you take my advice on the rules it is on your head.

Edited June 10, 2021 by antip

[Hawkeye77]

4 hours ago, antip said:

I am only an RO, meaning a player has a significant degree of protection from any mistake I make, in an event for which I am designated as an RO. Any other time, you take my advice on the rules it is on your head.

Would not be afraid to take that risk!

[bcski]

Doesn't the player have the option to play 2 balls at that point if he disagrees with the ruling to finish out the hole and have it resolved at the end?  Again we are talking non PGA where soooo many "rules officials" are not...

[2bGood]

5 hours ago, Halebopp said:

Yes, the player is responsible for figuring out whether or not the person is a member of the Competition Committee and, ultimately, the player is also expected to know the rules himself/herself.

What length does that go to? 

 

My understanding is if an actual referee gives you a ruling if it is wrong, it needs to be corrected if possible, but if not possible the ruling stands. 

 

If someone that is part of an event present themselves as a referee  How much back checking is the player obligated to do?

[rogolf]

We teach and encourage players to ask a couple questions:

1.  Are you a referee for this event?

2.  What are my options here?

[limegreengent]

You can trust me!

 

 

[Newby]

In all the events I work referees are issued with armbands.

[2bGood]

1 hour ago, Newby said:

In all the events I work referees are issued with armbands.

I have never seen that, the in the event I have been involved with - but sounds like it make sense. 

[2bGood]

6 hours ago, rogolf said:

We teach and encourage players to ask a couple questions:

1.  Are you a referee for this event?

2.  What are my options here?

Funny enough the guy involved in this one likely would have said "yes" and then provided options.🤨

 

[Sawgrass]

3 minutes ago, 2bGood said:

Funny enough the guy involved in this one likely would have said "yes" and then provided options.🤨

 

In which case the Committee should grant the player the same rights he/she would have if it were a legitimate ref.  (IMO)

[2bGood]

2 hours ago, Sawgrass said:

In which case the Committee should grant the player the same rights he/she would have if it were a legitimate ref.  (IMO)

Yes I think that is were you would have to land.

 

I can't see it happening with enough frequency to be concerned about, but I could see misunderstandings happen in local events where players assume a volunteer is acting as a referee. 

[rogolf]

Even if the imposter answered yes to the first question, I would have difficulty, as the Committee, accepting a wrong outcome.  We also instruct all of our volunteers that they are not to give rulings, only referees can do that.

However, there are always some over-exuberant volunteers who don't listen and can't follow the instructions provided.

[antip]

11 hours ago, bcski said:

Doesn't the player have the option to play 2 balls at that point if he disagrees with the ruling to finish out the hole and have it resolved at the end?  Again we are talking non PGA where soooo many "rules officials" are not...

Stroke play and no ROs on the job, or not accessible in a timely way, this is always an option. If ROs are appointed and available and consulted, under the rules the default is the player is required to follow the ruling given, there is no 'right' to play a second ball. That said, most events permit or even require the ROs to offer a second opinion if the player is unhappy. In bigger events, that would often mean getting the chief referee on the spot (if needed), sorting it later (if practical) or could even involve playing a second ball.