Playing By The Rules
 

We play for money in our group and to keep things legit we need to play by the rules. We have tried skipping some rules, like playing the wrong ball or having gimmies, but it always leads to arguments so we just decided we should play by the book.

I'd have to vote for both #2, and #3. Playing for money gets a little shady sometimes, as some rules get added that are not in the rules book. http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...lies/clapp.gif

If money is on the line and I'm playing for a score to turn into for my handicap I always play by the rules. If it's just a casual round rules go out the window.

I play by the rules 98% of the time, there's the rare occasions where I hit a ball that I'm certain can be found, only to search for a couple minutes, not find the ball, and not want to waste more time heading back to the tee box, etc... For me, if I play "strict" golf during casual rounds, it's easier to carry it over to "important" rounds.

Anything to add another post to your "post count"........









http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...es/biggrin.png

Rules? I don't need no stinkin' rules.

Seriously, always if I am playing to post to handicap.

Bingo!! Same here, when I play with friends we don't play strictly by the rules & none of us really cares.

#2, i play by the rules, or agree to something with my playing partner or opponant.. as i dont know the rules for every scenario... but i certainly dont do anything shady

I voted yes, every time. That is not true though. I might not go back to the tee if I unexpectedly cannot find my ball. I have accepted gimmie putts, and I even picked one up myself once in a moment of frustration, after a horrific blowup.

that sums me up

If you do not play by the rules, you are not playing golf. :-)

I would venture to guess that a large portion of the folks here do not play by every single little rule of the game.

Don't play for money but do a ton of tourney-type charity's and for competition with friends on handicap.

Wish I could have voted #2 and #3 like provisional said!

I would concur, heck I will be honest and say I don't follow every single rule all the time cause there are a TON to remember, unless you have some rule-nazi with book in hand. Albeit on the really common, basic, and/or "big" no-no's I really do not ever break them, ever. And I cringe when those I play with do. (example's would be hitting out of clearly marked OB/white stake's in backyards, not hitting a provisional just in case, touching club to sand in trap yada yada.....)

Also to defcon1 I would say that always playing in tourney styles is not only tedious/not fun at times, but during some rounds I want to try a certain chot again for either practice or just because I can.............. According to tourney rules that is a "no-no".

As discussed weeks ago same goes for club limits in bags.

I have played golf for over 30 years with a lot of different golfers and I don't think I have ever seen anyone play strictly by the rules in a casual round. The number one offense is taking gimme putts.

The biggest rule we do not follow is a lost ball that shouldn't have been lost. Our course has a first cut of rough that is about a foot wide and then high rough where a ball can be lost easily unless you step on it. If it was a ball that we should have found but couldn't we do not go back to hit (this would end up in some major course delays and arguments with groups behind) and instead drop where everryone thinks it would be and take the penalty.

I can't imagine going back to hit when everyone thought the ball would be fairly easy to find. I also hope I neveer am playing behind someone that takes a full 5 minutes to look for it and then goes back to hit.

You must not play with women - ever.

The gimme's are a pet peeve of mine.

It's not because I mind anyone taking them, but rather I get annoyed when someone hits my ball back to me after I've rolled a putt to within two feet or so. I appreciate the gesture, but I like to finish those putts myself. Hearing the ball drop into the cup brings closure to the hole and to me and I don't care if that tap in is for a birdie or an eight.
I like to finish it out because it closes the book on that hole regardless of the score and I can move on to the next one. It's just a psychological thing - sort of a mental "period" at the end of the sentence, but I prefer it that way.


Besides, if I make those two-footers, I'll make more two-footers.


-JP

I have played golf with women many times. What has that got to do with playing by the rules?