[triardwonvada]

I'd probably follow the rulebook 19/20 times. It sucks, a LOT, but it's the way it goes.. If you can't find the ball anywhere in the fairway, it probably wasn't a great shot.

I don't know about that
I've seen balls that were just a couple of feet in the rough be almost impossible to find but were still good shots

[xgnuwdd]

Is it a round you are tracking for handicap purposes? If so, go back to where you hit from, drop and take your penalty.

Agreed, if your just playing for fun and won't be counting it then you can really do whatever you want, but if it's going to be applied to your handicap then the rules of golf need to be followed.

[Arratherimi]

If I didn't see the ball leave the tee box at all I would hit another right away without counting a penalty (I don't keep an official score or handicap). On one hole I had to hit 3 or 4 times before I saw the direction my ball went, and it's a lot faster for me to rehit than to go searching for one when I have no idea where it went.

If I see the direction it went but am unsure exactly where it ended up, the time I spend looking for it depends on whether someone is right behind me or not. If they are, I'll just go to where I think it landed and drop one with no penalty. If I think it went in the woods or in a hazard, that's another story, I'll take a penalty on those.

The same goes for if a group lets me play through. I won't spend any time looking for a ball. If it isn't in plain sight, I'll hit another from where I usually am on that hole. I like to get out of their way as fast as possible.

My way may not be by the rules, but by not following them (5 minute search time then go back and retee) I am creating a better atmosphere for the other players on the course, which to me is a lot more important than going strictly by the book.

[RjkVwPcV]

Variation on the same theme...

You spray your ball into the next fairway. As you walk up to the ball you pass the group playing that fairway (i.e., they've physically passed your ball). When you reach the spot where your ball should be it isn't there. You didn't see the other group take the ball but it is the only thing that could have happened. Penalty? Drop a ball there? Go back and hit another one?

[QysnZWB4]

Variation on the same theme... You spray your ball into the next fairway. As you walk up to the ball you pass the group playing that fairway (i.e., they've physically passed your ball). When you reach the spot where your ball should be it isn't there. You didn't see the other group take the ball but it is the only thing that could have happened. Penalty? Drop a ball there? Go back and hit another one?

If you are "virtually certain" it was moved by the other group, I'd think you could proceed under 18-1 (ball moved by outside agency) and drop without penalty where the ball would have been. In competition, it would be a call for the rules official/committee. If you are uncertain you would really have to go back to the spot from which the previous shot was played.

[Xfxhbcxp]

If you're playing alone or not, and you're wanting to keep stats, keep your accurate score, or something like that, go back and take your medicine following the USGA rules.

If you're playing for practice, having a liesure round, whether you're alone or not, I say drop a ball where you believe your shot would have landed and play on, no penalty strokes. Truly, who cares in this scenario? Not me, or the USGA.

[itaspCatCriny]

Playing alone? No friends? (lol)

Do whatever you want. As a single you have no "standing" on the golf course so you should not go back ad re-hit if it will delay the group behind. I don't think you should post scores shot when playing alone; you can't really claim a hole in one without a witness either so I say it does not matter.

I would drop a ball where I thought the ball should have been and use the round as practice to see what I need to work on most.

This is actually not true anymore. I think the part that said "a single has no standing on the course" was removed in 2004.

This is in the Etiquette section of the rules:

Pace of Play
Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of
play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a
clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind
to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. Where a
group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind can
play faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through.

Priority on the Course
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is
determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is
entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term “group” includes
a single player.


BUT! And this comes from http://golf.about.com/od/golfetiquet...espriority.htm


Unless. The rulebook does give golf courses an out, however, by including that "unless otherwise determined by the Committee" bit. So while the Rules of Golf are clear that singles do have standing on the course, the rulebook also gives committees the option to decide differently. If you're allowed to play as a single at a course, but then encounter trouble on the course, check with the pro about club policies - and make sure he or she understands the current USGA/R&A guidelines on the issue.

[smokeberly]

Aye, Smalls be right... Check ye local rules...