Course etiquette

[mdgboxx]

Balls from behind-What do you do?

I am a 11 hcp, I walk a course whenever I can, I generally go to a course by myself and tee off with anybody available at that time. I can understand that not everybody is a 6 hpc or better. Should I be paired with three 18 hcp, it has happened that a group behind us (always riding a cart it seems) would send balls past us even though they "the cart riders" can clearly see that we are right behind the group ahead.
Has this ever happened to you? What did you do? What would you do?

[CallawayJeffro]

It's common knowledge not to hit into someone on purpose. These guys are just clowns who can't wait an extra minute or two. I always wait, because what's the point of hitting into someone off the tee, when you'll just have to wait even longer for the green to clear.

 

P.S. I play a short golf course with several drivable par 4's and 2 reachable par 5's. Happens all the time. Usually if it happens more than once, their balls go flying back at them! :black eye:

[PingG10]

Yes, I've been hit into-the first time, I consider it an "accident", the second time, I give them notice that they've now hit into me twice and the third time (which hasn't happened yet) I would report them to the pro shop-I'm not going to get into an on golf course confrontation, it isn't worth it.

 

This all presumes, of course, that I'm keeping up with the group in front which is generally not an issue.

[klaymon]

Like said above, if it happens once I let it go and call it accidental (I've done the same thing when I really nailed a drive on the screws once). If it happens again, offenders' balls have a way of disappearing. If it's soft/wet enough, they can simply be stepped on and plugged. I figure if they're taking time to look for a ball, I have time to put some space between us for a bit and they might get the hint.

[The Duck]

Well, All true. But bad shots can also be a reason for hitting into groups.

 

Yesterday I did hit into a group ahead of me twice.

 

First was a hook away from the green off a tree at the next tee box that karoomed off the screen. I apologise for it.

 

Later in the round I hit am trying to hit a draw into the wind to a dogleg right and it fades instead and lands 5 yards from the green (320yrds) that the same group is at. (Big wind Left to right). Not intentional at all but they got hot and I again said sorry.

 

They also complained about a 4 iron layup (210 into the wind) that was 30 yards short of the green and bunkers.

[bloodredsun]

First time, as long as they are genuinely apologetic, it's not a problem for me. All of us have done it at some point. Second time, I put the ball on a tee as it's the politest way I can think of drawing attention to the fact that this is not on. Third time, I knock the ball into the rough - picking it up is too confrontational as they will see it as theft and hitting it back is asking for trouble but likewise you can't just do nothing.

 

And I would always report someone if I think it's not accidental.

[hackemlong]

Had a similar problem my last round. My group endured several holes with the thump of closely landing golf balls. Then came the 18th. We're again waiting on the very slow group in front of us to clear the green and I go over and talk to another in my group at the right side of the fairway. When I get back to my cart I see a golf ball under the left rear tire. It wasn't mine - and I doubt the cart birthed the thing. The next part is a blur - but I hopped into my cart (hoping it would provide cover) and it "magically" jumped into reverse for a split second. When I got back out I noticed the offending ball barely peaking out of the soft fairway. Oops. :clapping: And I have been known to tee up balls and hit them back towards highly persistent arswholes. Once - understandable. But a second time unless we're in a gulley or something, you can bet I accidently step on their ball or move it behind a tree or something.

The sad thing is that the group behind contained a marshall at the course, who was probably upset at not being able to have his normal 3 hour round. All in all - it took us 4 1/2 hours to complete the round (slow - somewhat) but on a packed PUBLIC course on a beautiful January day ? I actually enjoyed being out there a little longer it was so nice. Could have been nicer not having to dodge the salvo from the following foursome though....

[highergr0und]

I have and will never hit a ball back at someone if they hit into my group. That's a one way ticket to jail (assault or battery if you actually hit them) and a big lawsuit waiting to happen. There's no way to argue that one as accidental. I'm way beyond the fighting years, especially during my relaxing golfing time.

 

The first one is usually a freebie with a wave (unless it's just plain dumb like carrying over my group when we're 200 out) and the second time we just wait for them to drive up and ask them to stop. No fighting, no yelling, just explain that the reason we're slow is that the course is moving slow, and everything is usually fine after that. If they are total a-holes, we usually let them through. No reason to get all worked up. I'm having fun. I'd say at least 90% of the folks that do it don't have the balls to do anything when they meet you face to face anyhow, especially when you're nice.

[InTheHole]

Kill 'em with kindness.

[marrigo]

Never had someone purposely hit into me (i play very quickly and usually by myself afterwork). If it did happen I'd call the clubhouse if it happened more than once, or if it was obviously done on purpose.

 

I have hit into groups on accident before, usually because of unexpected roll. Most groups are fine with it as they realize that it was a fluke and in reality no one was in danger of anything except getting a shoe scuffed. Have run into some hot heads who get all worked up if a ball rolls up to with 50 yards of them. Pretty much just tell them that I didn't mean for it to get that close and then move on.

[Fore_Man]

absolutely a free pass on the first one... BUT YOU MUST let them know that they have done wrong by waiving or something... you cannot just get mad and swear at them under your breath, as it'll likely happen again. Often times you'll get an apology before you even react, or they will rush up to you s you're clearing the green to let you know it won't happen again or that they got some serious cart path yards, etc.

 

Second time, the ball finds the rough or a bunker. Weird how balls end up in less than idea lies when you hit in to people, huh? And sometimes my pace of play seems to slow down.

 

Third time, it goes in my bag or in the woods. That depends if it's a ProV or a Rock-Flite.

 

That being said... never usually gets to a second or third offense. MOST golfer's are not A-holes. Do on to others...

[mshills]

In all of my days playing and caddying I've never been hit into on purpose. For those of you who have had this happen with some frequency, what the heck? I can't imagine being on a course, in full view of the group behind, and seeing their ball whistling over my head or coming to rest near me. I don't know what I'd do, to be honest.

 

I've been hit into plenty of times on blind holes or simply by accident as in "holy smokies I did not realize I could hit it that far!' I've done it myself, too, in fact I accidentally hit into someone this past weekend. As my group was making the turn, the heavens opened and my playing partners quit for the day. I broke out the rain gear and played on. On #10 (dogleg right, downhill par 4) I figured the group in front of me had been on that hole for some time and if they had any sense at all they'd be inside drinking Irish coffee. :D Hit a very strong 3w off the tee and as I rounded the corner, saw the three players in front of me about 10 yards short of the green.

 

:shok: :shok: :shok: Oops. That means they must have been playing right where my drive landed. I waved at them and they started walking back off the green towards me. :shok: :shok: As they got closer I took my hat off and walked over to apologize. They threw up their hands and said "we give up, too wet!" as they continued on into the clubhouse.

 

I'm not sure they even saw my ball land amongst them, if they did they certainly did not care, and I did not see another player for the rest of the back nine.

 

Interesting that for whatever reason, on US courses it seems like there is never a flag or bell or any type of device on blind holes to let the group behind know that the way is clear.

[italianstallion]

Depends on the situation. If they yell "fore" to let me know its coming I usually duck and give them a wave after the ball lands. If however they hit a shot into my group and say nothing I'll just turn around and give them a stare down. I've never had it happen more than once by the same group so its hard to say what I would do if it did.

[ROBHATTER]

Comes down to if you believe they purposely hit into you or was it by accident.

 

Everyone will have a ball hit into them by accident if they play enough golf.

 

I have only once been hit into on purpose and that gentleman and his foursome was escorted off the course with a simple phone call.

 

If the ball comes by usually putting it on a 5" tee, lets the group behind you know that they put you in danger of getting hit. I have done it probabally 25 times, and no problems.

 

I do not penalize a golfer that hits into you by accident, ect.

[cheeeezzz]

Happens to me more than most I guess. Once, no biggie, nice drive. After that, I yell "Put your hard hats on" and tee it up in the fairway and hit it back at them assuming I won't be interupting anyone elses round. They get the message every time. Theres always the run it over with your golf cart solution as well. Or you can always use your imagination and leave them a present in the cup.

[youraway2]

There is no excuse for hitting into the group in front of you - unless it was a totally blind shot, and then it's still your fault. Bottom line is any hacker can hit into the group in front of them. It's not a sign of talent but an example of poor etiquette and downright dangerous. So for all the big hitters who think they’re good, don’t fool yourself by hitting into the group in front. It's not impressive.

 

If someone hits into me, I expect an apology as a minimum. I also expect it to not happen again, if it does I alert the Course Marshall. If the marshal doesn’t correct the problem, then I alert the management staff. Getting into a confrontation with bad golfers (those who lack etiquette) only ruins your round and day.

[celts5407]

Some time ago i was playing with a couple of my friends (all of us decent players, 0-3 hcps), and we were walking. there was a group of guys behind us riding. they were agitated the whole round because we apparently werent fast enough. they were yelling and all the other nonsense you expect from idiots that are in a hurry. they hit into us on two straight holes, almost hitting one of the guys i was with the second time. then on the next hole we were waiting for the green to clear, and a ball comes rolling past us again. i grabbed my 3 iron and hit a low stinger right back at them. it missed the tee box about 10 yards to the right, but they got the message. i was surprised they didnt call the pro shop, but maybe they figured they had no argument after hitting into us 3 times.

 

there is absolutely no reason to hit into the group infront of you. (unless you have a blind shot which i think was previously mentioned.) if you dont want to wait, go around them or call the pro shop.

[italianstallion]

I understand the frustration guys, but as a course marshal/ranger and someone who works in the pro shop, hitting the ball back at the group who hit into you IS NOT the correct way to appropriately handle the situation. I can't be everywhere at once so make sure you let the marshall know as soon as you see him whats up instead of taking matters into your own hands. From that point I have plenty of ways of dealing with the situation. But once you decide to hit the ball back you are just as guilty as they are of having zero class in my mind. You're putting them in the same exact danger as you were, don't think such an action will turn out fine.

 

And from the pro-shop side of it, please be nice when you call the problem in. Don't swear at me because I'm stuck in the pro shop dealing with people who are paying and making sure nobody is stealing anything. Unfortunately working in the golf course industry is not as easy as some may think, there's alot involved in making sure everyone is as happy as possible.

[Richie3Jack]

There's never an excuse to purposedly hit a ball into somebody. You can seriously injure somebody or even kill somebody. I've seen people get seriously hurt by a golf ball and it's not a nice experience.

 

There's also no excuse for slow play. So if you're right behind the group ahead of you and that group is hitting into you, promptly take their golf ball and either put it into your bag or chuck it in the woods. They should get the hint. And if they complain about it, you will likely have the pro shop on your side because they should be able to see that they were hitting into you on purpose.

 

I detest slow golfers as much as the next guy, but I would never hit into somebody on purpose. If I've got a problem with slow play on the course, I take it to the pro shop with the hopes that they will move it along or let me pass the slow group. If it doesn't get resolved, I'll just let the pro shop know that I don't plan on playing there again.

 

Unfortunately golf is filled with idiots who have the maturity of grade school students.

 

 

 

3JACK

[jefffann]

There are instances when some slow walking single will disappear making it impossible to see them.There is no cart to see.They virtually disappear behind a tree or some other obstuction.You think that the course is clear and hit only to have them appear as your ball is descending.Is that your fault?

[mshills]

Nope. Just a mistake, plain and simple. No big deal. Believe it or not, mistakes and errors DO happen in life. It's like some people on this forum are looking for any excuse to get p!ssed at the group behind them!

 

Maybe I'm just lucky with where I play, but in years of golf I can't remember anyone ever purposefully hitting into someone. Either I've been lucky or these stories are exaggerated, maybe some of both.

[Bomb and Gouge]

Just take it as a gesture of kindness....and keep the balls. They obviously want you to have them.

[lauriej]

I've been on both sides of this situation, and agree there is NEVER a reason to hit into the group in front of you. I was playing with a group once and the group in front of us was painfully slow. The group behind us hit into us on 3 consecutive holes. The third time I could not stop one of the guys in our group from hitting the ball right back to the tee.

You also get the folks that forget that a courtesy "fore" won't hurt. I was playing once and a guy hooked his drive into our fw. If it wasn't for someone in my group yelling at me I would have most certainly lost a couple of chiclets. I walked up to the guy and expressed my displeasure and advised that most people like and need their teeth....He mumbled something like an apology and walked away.

That being said, I've been guilty too. I was playing in my league and the second shot was about 195 yds to the green. One of the guys on the other team said "you can go laur..it's 195-200 to the green..might aswell hit while we're waiting"...Now, I usually hit my 7w 175-180 so I assumed there was no way I was reaching, especially since it's an up hill green. You know the rest, I must have hit the best shot I've ever hit with that club and watched in shock as it rolled between the legs of one of the guys putting. Needless to say I have never been more apologetic in my life....

[mdgboxx]

Hello people, :welcomeani:

 

Strike 1-2-3 your OUT seems to be the norm so far but, I can see there is a WHOLE LOT between 1 & 3:

 

Retaliating to NO-CLASS with ETIQUETTE is great although I must admit, it would leave a very BITTER TASTE in MY EGO!

 

Balls that have a tendency to disappear would have been my choice of options. (in the water where available is nice)

 

Best one yet? Ball on a tee but remember, I purposely mentioned that we were clearly in sight.

 

"Use your imagination, leave a present in the cup" YOU WOULD REALY PISS IN THE CUP? :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:

Don't disturb me now....I'm "immmaaaginnnationnninnng"...YOU ARE THE MANNN!! :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

I never would have thought of that...Oh Yeaaaahh!

 

Back to serious replies...(lol...I'm on the floor twistig like a worm going fishing)!!!

I'm from Québec, Canada; I can't speak for the rest of the country but, in my province, it's not unusual to see

a platform with stairs, a 15- 20 or 25 ft periscope like mirror, buzzer or bell of some sort. Actualy very FEW courses

don't have a warning device of some kind.

 

This Forum being what it is...ANONYMOUS, I would also like to hear from people who actualy will send balls flying past

the group ahead...What's your beef on the course? I probably won't agree but I'd like to know...enlighten me :drinks:

Is it a new TREND to want to play 18 holes in 3½ hrs?

[Kreth]

Once I'll chalk up to an accident. I could be out of sight, or they could have unexpectedly pured one. If I am in view from the tee, I'd better hear a "Fore!"

The second time is a call to the clubhouse, and their ball will most likely find water or woods.

I would never hit it back at them. You could kill someone, and they can always claim that you over-reacted to their "accident" in any case.

OTOH, what's with the guys that flip out when you accidentally hit into them, then catch up and apologize?! I'm thinking, "Do you really think I'd be apologizing if I hit into you on purpose?" I had one guy tell me that taking a shot from a golf ball can cause cancer. :rolleyes:

[FlyFish]

First time, it's probably an accident. Ninety five percent of the time I get an apology. Most golfers don't hit into the group in front of them on purpose. There are liability issues involved here.

 

Second time, they are going to have a hard time finding their ball.

 

There never has been a third time.

[JakeBarnes]

I usually deal with it in a calm manner and inform them that they hit into me. Usually it is an accident, and it doesn't happen again. However, I played in a scramble this past fall and found that I did have a boiling point for people hitting into me. Obviously the course plays a bit slow in a scramble, that is just the nature of it all. On the front nine the group behind me hit into us once on a blind dogleg (understandable), and once while we were waiting to hit our second shot on a par 4 due to another group on the green. At the turn I politely asked them to refrain from teeing off until it was clear we were done hitting our second shot on Par 4's and 5's. Reasonable request.

 

Well, the back nine was unbearable. They hit into us multiple times. Eventually on the 16th, I snapped. We were only 250 out and a guy drove it within 10 feet of us and almost hit a girl in my group. This was like the 6th time they hit into us. My friend got pissed and he started yelling at them. They were just laughing at his yelling. I then proceeded to take out my 3 wood, aim at the cornfield to the right of the fairway and blast the guys ball out there. Probably my best 3 wood shot of the day. Figured if all of the notice we had given them all day hadn't sunk in, maybe that would. It did.

[xdhammerbx]

Just take it as a gesture of kindness....and keep the balls. They obviously want you to have them.

 

 

LOL YEESSSS!!!

 

 

prov's for me?? why thank you!!!

[smoova]

1st time, no problem.

 

2nd time, I p!ss on their ball - although sometimes it's hard that little ball when I'm chuckling so hard.

[MGWP]

first time okay, second time maybe..third time stamp it into the ground!