Following last week’s column on the flagstick in or out conundrum, I received the second-most amount of emails I’ve ever received over a Stupid Golf Problem (the most was over caddie fees). Ninety-percent of them were triggered flagstick-IN enjoyers who cannot imagine anyone else’s lived experience other than their own. I was the moron for even daring to suggest that I’ve had multiple putts of perfectly normal pace hit off the flagstick and out. I kid you not, it happened again in my most-recent round on a long par save. A nice middle finger from the golfing Gods. And the flagstick-in people.
Amidst the sea of hate mail, though, was a new problem from someone who goes by “Dtake.” Now, we’ve covered cheating on the golf course before—mainly, people who cheat and then act like you’re the bad guy for calling them out on it—but this is a bit more of a specific situation and one that is a little more innocent on the surface:
Chris There is an imaginary line connecting tee markers on a tee box. Players have a two-club field (box) just behind the markers to tee up their ball. Why do players push the imaginary line limit by teeing their ball in front of the markers. I know it’s a small rules infraction. Do you say something to a friend and/or stranger? Love to hear your comments,
Dtake
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It’s actually not a “small” infraction – it's a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. But, I’m assuming DTake is talking about a friendly game amongst pals, which is where this situation gets a little more dicey.
In fact, I ran into this situation quite recently, and it was in a game for money. A player in our group, my partner, was teeing off a literal inch in front of the tee markers on numerous holes on the front nine. Fortunately for me, one of our opponents that day has absolutely no problem calling that stuff out, and he knew the person (my partner) a little bit better. So he was able to lightheartedly point it out and there were zero hard feelings.
And the thing was, it was clearly being done on accident ... I think. I’ve seen it countless times with guys who don’t play all that much and are just completely clueless on this front. When it’s a close buddy, I’ll never have any issue saying “hey, you know you’re teeing it up in front of the markers, right?” Most, if not all, take it well. To be honest, even if we’re playing for money, I don’t really care. If you think that’s giving you any sort of advantage, you’re high. But still, rules are rules.
Now, if it’s happening with a stranger, perhaps in a competitive event, that’s another deal. You should definitely call it out as soon as it happens, ideally before the person hits. If you wait until after, if they have any integrity they are going to take the two-stroke penalty but probably be pissed at you for not notifying them before. That’s why, with any of these “small” infractions, as DTake called them, it’s best to nip them in the bud right away, even if it means the rest of the round is going to be awkward.
In a friendly game for no money with your buddy who is an absolute chop? Who cares. Tee off 10 yards in front of the markers. Play from the reds. Go drop it in the middle of the fairway and say you’re hitting two after you’ve deposited three balls in the woods. In any sort of serious, competitive environment, though, call it out as soon as possible.
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Do you have a "stupid" golf problem? A question you're too ashamed to ask your close friends? A conundrum that needs to be talked out in a public forum? We're here to help. If you have etiquette-related inquiries or just want to know how to handle some of the unique on- or off-course situations we all find ourselves in, please let us know. You can email me (chris.powers@wbd.com) or send me a DM on Twitter/X (@Cpowers14) or on Instagram (@cpthreeve).