Hit the ball exactly where it lands or do you move it an inch or two to improve your lie ?

[weedsnager]

You guys hit it exactly where it lands or roll it a bit to improve your lie ?

[st1800e]

Only move it for LCP, or winter rules….

[James the Hogan Fan]

I typically play from the exact spot where the ball comes to rest, be that good, bad, or otherwise. That said, a lot of people I have played with or have seen play do the 6-12" roll to find better grass in the immediate vicinity. Per the official rules, that's naturally not allowed, but they seem to enjoy it more and it doesn't affect me at all. 

[Mr. Bean]

4 hours ago, weedsnager said:

You guys hit it exactly where it lands or roll it a bit to improve your lie ?

 

You meant to ask if we play golf or not, right?

[North Butte]

Play it where it lies. Even when the group I'm playing in rolls the ball, I just leave mine where the previous shot ended up. 

 

Lots of different games are played on golf courses every day. Not all of them are golf. Golf is the one where you play the ball as it lies.

[JimmyC59]

Play it down.

[ewaldbeukes]

Assuming this is for when preferred lies are in place do you take advantage? Otherwise this is "do you like to place it in the rough"... When preferred lies are in place (winter for us) I prefer to take advantage, some players dont. Own preference. Within the rules, I want the best lie possible. 

[alittleoverpar]

I always play the ball down.  Most people I play with roll the ball, but it's just not something I want to do.  I enjoy the challenge of an occasional bad lie in the fairway.   

[Sp4zRX]

I play in a league that allows rolling them. In the league, I do roll them; otherwise, I will be at a disadvantage because everyone else is rolling them. Any other time I play, I play it as it lies. 

[SUPERG]

My normal group only does lift-clean-place when it's especially muddy in the winter/late fall. Aside from that it's ball down. That's golf.  

[weedsnager]

I always move it if there’s a better piece of grass an inch or two away in the rough…no one I play with is that serious about rolling the ball an inch or two. 
saying “that’s golf” by not moving the ball at all is crazy…

That’s like saying I follow the rules of the road…do you make a complete stop at every stop sign you encounter also ?

Edited August 15, 2023 by weedsnager

[Pastit]

2 minutes ago, weedsnager said:

I always move it if there’s a better piece of grass an inch or two away in the rough…no one I play with is that serious about rolling the ball an inch or two. 
saying “that’s golf” by not moving the ball at all is crazy…

do you make a complete stop at every stop sign you encounter also ?

Good grief, what is the World coming to ?

[vandyfan]

We had some winter kill here in TN that was especially bad this year. During the spring, if you landed on a completely dead, mud spot in the middle of the fairway you could take relief no closer to the hole. Other than that, no. Playing from scruffy lies, divots, etc. is all kind of part of it. I don't care what other people do but to me this goes in the category of mulligans, gimmies, not taking the true re-tee penalty on a tee shot, etc. You will never know how good you ACTUALLY are until you play by the rules. For many people, that may not matter. For me? It matters immensely. Not because I am competitive with other people but because I am competitive with myself. 

[RTP419]

10 minutes ago, weedsnager said:

I always move it if there’s a better piece of grass an inch or two away in the rough…no one I play with is that serious about rolling the ball an inch or two. 
saying “that’s golf” by not moving the ball at all is crazy…

do you make a complete stop at every stop sign you encounter also ?

 

Simply put, if you are moving the ball you are improving your lie. If you just play casually then no big deal.

 

However if you play any club tournaments or competition then 1. Your handicap is understated since there will always be an advantage if you are improving your lie. Now your 10 (with an asterisk) handicap is going up against a 12 or 13, assuming they play by the rules, there is a good chance that 12 or 13 beats you 90% of the time.  2. If you do it during competition and your opponent doesn't, it is flat out cheating. 

Edited August 15, 2023 by RTP419

[ShortGolfer]

This is my 3rd season of casual practice golf and I've never considered rolling the ball.

 

 

[weedsnager]

2 minutes ago, RTP419 said:

 

Simply put, if you are moving the ball you are improving your lie. If you just play casually then no big deal, however if you play any club tournaments or competition then 1. its a disservice to your handicap, since improving your lie will likely result is lower scores and thus a lower handicap and 2. If you do it during competition and your opponent doesn't, it is flat out cheating. 

Yes agreed…if it’s a tournament or you  are playing for money that’s different 

[sui generis]

12 minutes ago, weedsnager said:

do you make a complete stop at every stop sign you encounter also ?

 

"Whataboutism" doesn't feature in the Rules of Golf, which by the way, is what this folder is all about.

[davep043]

I play by the Rules, which means I move my ball only when the Rules permit it.  

[kwcsports]

I always play it where it lies.

[nsxguy]

42 minutes ago, weedsnager said:

Yes agreed…if it’s a tournament or you  are playing for money that’s different 

 

So then, was your initial question a "Rules" question ?

 

Or an "etiquette" question ?

 

Or just trying to stir the pot ?

Edited August 15, 2023 by nsxguy

[weedsnager]

13 minutes ago, nsxguy said:

 

So then, was your initial question a "Rules" question ?

 

Or an "etiquette" question ?

 

Or just trying to stir the pot ?

Neither.

just wondering if you move the ball a bit and how strict you are with adhering to the rules. 
for the guys saying they don’t move the ball cause “that’s the rules”

im sure there’s a rule or two you don’t follow just because you don’t even know that rule exists. 
you walking around with a rule book ?

when your buddy says that 6 inch put is a gimme..are you picking it up or actually putting it in the hole cause

”the rules states the ball must go in the hole “

you and your buddies never use a mulligan?

Edited August 15, 2023 by weedsnager

[SNIPERBBB]

If we're playing preferred lies yes, if not no.

[North Butte]

9 minutes ago, weedsnager said:

Neither.

just wondering if you move the ball a bit and how strict you are with adhering to the rules. 
for the guys saying they don’t move the ball cause “that’s the rules”

im sure there’s a rule or two you don’t follow just because you don’t even know that rule exists. 
you walking around with a rule book ?

when your buddy says that 6 inch put is a gimme..are you picking it up or actually putting it in the hole cause

”the rules states the ball must go in the hole “

you and your buddies never use a mulligan?

Of all the Rules of Golf one might choose to leave out, the one about playing the ball as it lies is the most fundamental. As I said in my previous reply, ignore that Rule and you have completely changed the game. Pick up a 6 inch putt, that's exactly like real golf except for the act of tapping in a six inch putt. Put the ball in a perfect lie before every shot and you've abandoned the essence of the game.

[texcellence86]

I normally play it down unless there is a decent chance I will damage my clubs, after-all, we don't get them for free.

 

Most Munis in Texas aren't perfect and are required to spread funds out where needed. As a result most bunkers are unplayable which means a free drop. The occasional Mud ball will get a wipe down and replace from time to time as well.

[sui generis]

8 minutes ago, weedsnager said:

Neither.

just wondering if you move the ball a bit and how strict you are with adhering to the rules. 
for the guys saying they don’t move the ball cause “that’s the rules”

im sure there’s a rule or two you don’t follow just because you don’t even know that rule exists. 
you walking around with a rule book ?

when your buddy says that 6 inch put is a gimme..are you picking it up or actually putting it in the hole cause

”the rules states the ball must go in the hole “

you and your buddies never use a mulligan?

 

Like clockwork, the "rools am stupid" guy shows up! Lucky us, this one's the second this summer. Also, lucky for us, they soon disappear and go on to spread their foolishness elsewhere. 🙄

 

Do us a favor and "just f-f-f-fade away."

[third-times-a-charm]

This topic and the OPs reply...haha. This is gonna go so well.

 

[deltarocketscientist]

12 hours ago, weedsnager said:

You guys hit it exactly where it lands or roll it a bit to improve your lie ?

I’ve done both.  Unless it lands in a divot, not sure it makes a difference.  Typically play it down.

 

Improving lie is a bit of a slippery slope.  I’m no pro so the divot is my limit, but realistically it may affect your handicap

[Dpavs]

Depends, but generally our league play is preferred lies all year round... some use the advantage and some do not.

[Klubster]

Most public courses are not pristine and a lot of them state "winter rules" on the card.  It is unfair to punish a good shot because the course is a cow pasture.  I have played a lot of courses where a bad lie is almost impossible.

[James the Hogan Fan]

26 minutes ago, weedsnager said:

Neither.

just wondering if you move the ball a bit and how strict you are with adhering to the rules. 
for the guys saying they don’t move the ball cause “that’s the rules”

im sure there’s a rule or two you don’t follow just because you don’t even know that rule exists. 
you walking around with a rule book ?

when your buddy says that 6 inch put is a gimme..are you picking it up or actually putting it in the hole cause

”the rules states the ball must go in the hole “

you and your buddies never use a mulligan?

 

For your information, it so happens that this particular subforum is frequented by a handful of posters who happen to be reasonably high-level rules officials. They DO walk around with a rulebook, which they don't need as their knowledge of the rules typically renders it superfluous.

 

So answers here are going to skew towards "rolling the ball is on par with killing the Virgin Mary", or that you are "rools am stoopid guy". It isn't, and you aren't, but this particular audience is going to be rather matter of fact (read, "harsh) about it.