Golf rules question???

[PTCvette]

Hey everyone... Just had a golf rules question, and I figured someone around here would know it...

If two people are playing and player #1 is on the green and player #2 is just off the green (say on the fringe), but player #2 is farther from the hole, who plays first? If I remember correctly, the rules say regardless of who is on or off the green, the person farthest from the hole plays first. BUT, I know 99% of the time when I play, if you are off the green you play, even if you are closer.

I think I remember reading in Golf Magazine that most people play the wrong way just to save time or something, but I don't remember, so I figured I would see if anyone else can give me a clarification.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[MagicianBdotCom]

I think they very recently changed the rule so that farthest plays, but I know before it was always whoever is off the green hits first. You can also see this rule whenever you play golf video games I really actually do play golf in real life, just mentioning that the games follow that rule.

 

[Alistar7]

it's golf, who cares, lol......

 

[PTCvette]

Originally posted by: MagicianBdotCom
I think they very recently changed the rule so that farthest plays, but I know before it was always whoever is off the green hits first. You can also see this rule whenever you play golf video games I really actually do play golf in real life, just mentioning that the games follow that rule.

I was actually considering pulling out Tiger Woods 2003 and seeing what happens. Might just have to do that and see where it goes from there. Good idea... I would never have thought of that, and I own the game!

Jeff

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Technically, the player who is away should play first regardless of where the ball lies. In casual play and stroke play tournaments that's typically ignored as it's easier to let the player who is off the green "hit up", then putt out in order of distance from the hole. It works better that way as the player who's on the green needs the flag taken out and those off the green need it left in. If the player on the green was to play first the flag would need to be replaced after he hit the shot and it just wastes time.

In match play competitions, things work differently. The players MUST play in order of distance away from the hole, so it's pretty common for a guy off the green, but close to the stick to be waiting while another player with a long putt goes first. In team 4-ball match play, there's a slight variation in the rule in that the TEAM whose ball lies farthest from the hole hits first, but not necessarily the PLAYER who's away. For example, if A and B are in a match against C and D, A could be 2 feet from the hole, C 15 feet, D 25 feet and B 100 yards. B is obviously away, but since it's his turn he can defer to his partner and A could putt out before B plays his next shot.

 

[edro]

Fringe = fairway, not green.

If you are on the fringe and everyone else in on the green, you play first.

I am 100% sure. I have played in many USGA Junior tourneys.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: edro13
Fringe = fairway, not green.

If you are on the fringe and everyone else in on the green, you play first.

I am 100% sure. I have played in many USGA Junior tourneys.

You might want to check your rule book before claiming to be "100% sure" about things which you're 100% wrong about. The rules on the order of play are ignored due to courtesy and convenience during medal play, but the rules are that the player farthest from the hole goes first, PERIOD. It's Rule 10-1 and it clearly makes no differentiation between on the green and through the green. As the rule stipulates no penalty for breaking it IN MEDAL PLAY, it gets regularly broken.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Technically, the player who is away should play first regardless of where the ball lies. In casual play and stroke play tournaments that's typically ignored as it's easier to let the player who is off the green "hit up", then putt out in order of distance from the hole. It works better that way as the player who's on the green needs the flag taken out and those off the green need it left in. If the player on the green was to play first the flag would need to be replaced after he hit the shot and it just wastes time.

In match play competitions, things work differently. The players MUST play in order of distance away from the hole, so it's pretty common for a guy off the green, but close to the stick to be waiting while another player with a long putt goes first. In team 4-ball match play, there's a slight variation in the rule in that the TEAM whose ball lies farthest from the hole hits first, but not necessarily the PLAYER who's away. For example, if A and B are in a match against C and D, A could be 2 feet from the hole, C 15 feet, D 25 feet and B 100 yards. B is obviously away, but since it's his turn he can defer to his partner and A could putt out before B plays his next shot.

it's also polite to the players behind you to get everyone on the green as quickly as possible.

 

[PTCvette]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: edro13
Fringe = fairway, not green.

If you are on the fringe and everyone else in on the green, you play first.

I am 100% sure. I have played in many USGA Junior tourneys.

You might want to check your rule book before claiming to be "100% sure" about things which you're 100% wrong about. The rules on the order of play are ignored due to courtesy and convenience during medal play, but the rules are that the player farthest from the hole goes first, PERIOD. It's Rule 10-1 and it clearly makes no differentiation between on the green and through the green. As the rule stipulates no penalty for breaking it IN MEDAL PLAY, it gets regularly broken.

I was looking on USGA's website for the actual rule, but gave up after about 15 minutes of futile search... Couldn't quite figure how to make a short enough query of it to where I would actually get something useful, and I knew ATOT would have this one solved for me in no time at all. Thanks for the clarification, GagHalfrunt, that's just want I was looking for!

Jeff

 

[wake]

Tiger woods 2004 is out today! w00r!

 

[cliftonite]

Originally posted by: wake
Tiger woods 2004 is out today! w00r!

nice

 

[Ynog]

Here is a link from the FAQ on USGA.org

Rule 10

 

[royaldank]

Originally posted by: wake
Tiger woods 2004 is out today! w00r!

Can't wait till after work. I'm going to be up all night wearing this thing out. The online tournies 6 days a week sounds cool, too. Lots of added features this year.

 

[AlmostFunny]

Originally posted by: Ynog
Here is a link from the FAQ on USGA.org

Rule 10

hmmm I would have guessed different. We play whoevers NOT on the green plays.

 

[PTCvette]

For anyone still interested, I got Tiger Woods 2004 last night and it does play by the "whoever is farthest from the hole plays first" rule.

Jeff