How Do You Deal with People Who Say Their Score but You Know They Cheat?

[straightshot7]

This isn't a really big deal but it is sort of a frustrating reality in amateur/casual golf.

 

It seems like the vast majority of people I know, that typically haven't played competitive golf, tend to cheat. They don't count all of their strokes, they improve their lies, they play OB like a hazard, etc.

 

I don't really have a problem with this (since it is primarily for their own enjoyment) except when they also pretend to have a legitimate score at the end of the round.

 

Recently I had a friend (who is otherwise a very very high integrity person) tell me, "I had one of my best ever rounds. I shot a 78. Well, my dad gave me a couple gimmies but it was a legit 78".

 

What he probably means is he missed a couple of 5-6 footers and his dad gave them to him. And most likely there was also an OB here or there that never got counted (breakfast ball).

 

But, he is still considering this a 78?

 

I was lucky enough to play competitively in high school and college so I got used to playing properly and taking the rules seriously. But it would seem like anyone could see the incongruity in not counting all of your strokes, and then telling people you shot a certain score.

 

Sadly, I would bet at least 50% of people posting scores/carrying an official handicap aren't counting all of their shots properly. And, there are probably some reading this.

 

How do you deal with this? Do you tell people flat out not to talk to you about their scores, when you know they cheat? Or, do you just roll your eyes on the inside and pretend to take them seriously?

[Carolina Golfer 2]

If we're not playing for money or in a competitive tournament, it doesn't bother me. I occasionally play with a guy who couldn't break 110 if he played it down and by the actual rules. Yet sometimes, he'll see my 93 on the card, and say, "man, I got you by a shot" LOL No big deal, as I said, if it makes him enjoy the game and keeps him playing so be it. If he ever takes it seriously he'll learn pretty quickly.

[straightshot7]

> @"Carolina Golfer 2" said:

> If we're not playing for money or in a competitive tournament, it doesn't bother me. I occasionally play with a guy who couldn't break 110 if he played it down and by the actual rules. Yet sometimes, he'll see my 93 on the card, and say, "man, I got you by a shot" LOL No big deal, as I said, if it makes him enjoy the game and keeps him playing so be it. If he ever takes it seriously he'll learn pretty quickly.

 

Lol. But isn't that kind of weird? Why do people do that? Ego?

 

I would think if you are super casual golfer, why keep a score at all? Why feel the need to fabricate one?

 

[tungstenplug]

.

Edited February 26, 2023 by tungstenplug

[straightshot7]

> @kevinscott22 said:

> It's amazing to me how high the scores become when it's tournament/stroke play. Guys who shoot low 80s all of a sudden aren't breaking 90 and "scratch" golfers are shooting 78 on their home course. "Couldn't make anything today!!" ...yikes. Gimmes are a part of the game but I agree it is often not used for it's intended purpose

>

> I'm not one to call people out unless money is involved but I think in your situation I would congratulate him on his round and in the back of my mind know it was probably not a 78, but oh well

 

Yeah I typically do just say "Great, nice job" or whatever. But I'm getting to the point where I'm just going to tell people like it is. It makes us both kind of fools if we are sitting there pretending they had a certain score when we both know it's B.S. lol.

 

To your point about the Tournament scores...that's pretty sad. And that's what I mean. These people don't play by the rules 95% of the year. And how can you trust that they are following the rules even in a tournament? You can't.

 

Maybe there should be signs on the course or notes on the scorecard reminding people of certain rules, and implying that they aren't supposed to just make them up as they go.

[HackerD]

Unless I’m playing for money take the high road and go along with the charade. It’s not just gimmes, it’s ludicrous drops, mulligans, etc.

[Bebsport678]

I’ve played competitively as an amateur as well and this bugs me too, and I know it shouldn’t but it does anyways. I never say anything or do anything about it but drives me nuts.

[straightshot7]

> @Bebsport678 said:

> I’ve played competitively as an amateur as well and this bugs me too, and I know it shouldn’t but it does anyways. I never say anything or do anything about it but drives me nuts.

 

Maybe it should bother you. I'm starting to think the best route may be to politely tell them that you play by the rules and don't really care about their score if they don't.

 

I am starting to just tell people that.

[Bebsport678]

> @straightshot7 said:

> > @Bebsport678 said:

> > I’ve played competitively as an amateur as well and this bugs me too, and I know it shouldn’t but it does anyways. I never say anything or do anything about it but drives me nuts.

>

> Maybe it should bother you. I'm starting to think the best route may be to politely tell them that you play by the rules and don't really care about their score if they don't.

>

> I am starting to just tell people that.

 

Haha I like it. Thing is, most people are playing for fun so their score doesn’t matter but to the few people they tell and even then, THOSE people probably could care less about said persons score.

 

Sometimes, I’ll say “in tournament golf” or “the rules say say...” and then explain the proper ruling and follow it by “but we’re not on the PGA tour and I don’t really care what you do.” And we have a laugh and let them decide if they want to play by the rules or not.

[Bloom]

> @straightshot7 said:

> > @Bebsport678 said:

> > I’ve played competitively as an amateur as well and this bugs me too, and I know it shouldn’t but it does anyways. I never say anything or do anything about it but drives me nuts.

>

> Maybe it should bother you. I'm starting to think the best route may be to politely tell them that you play by the rules and don't really care about their score if they don't.

>

> I am starting to just tell people that.

 

Sounds inconsiderate and rude.

 

If he shot a good score, by his rules, then it was a good day for him. His 78, while skirting some rules, is being compared to his 98, with likely the same rules. So congrats to him, it was a good round for him.

 

Trying to compare his round to yours, is different, but like others have said, it's not for money or anything, so no big deal. If it does get annoying (him bragging to other people he beat ya), just keep your own card and he'll never know your score. (I had a similar situation where I realized scores didn't matter so I just starting using an app on my phone for my scores and stats)

[straightshot7]

> @Bebsport678 said:

> > @straightshot7 said:

> > > @Bebsport678 said:

> > > I’ve played competitively as an amateur as well and this bugs me too, and I know it shouldn’t but it does anyways. I never say anything or do anything about it but drives me nuts.

> >

> > Maybe it should bother you. I'm starting to think the best route may be to politely tell them that you play by the rules and don't really care about their score if they don't.

> >

> > I am starting to just tell people that.

>

> Haha I like it. Thing is, most people are playing for fun so their score doesn’t matter but to the few people they tell and even then, THOSE people probably could care less about said persons score.

>

> Sometimes, I’ll say “in tournament golf” or “the rules say say...” and then explain the proper ruling and follow it by “but we’re not on the PGA tour and I don’t really care what you do.” And we have a laugh and let them decide if they want to play by the rules or not.

 

Yeah I do the same thing.

 

Again, I am totally okay with however someone wants to play.

 

I just think it's dumb if they then post a score or try to compare their score to someone else's.

 

Or tell me about their round and their score and expect me to take them seriously.

[Hawkeye77]

If it's reporting a hole score in league and we are keeping score there is usually a nice way to get them to reconsider, and if it's someone it would be a waste of time to do that with, we just write down what they really had. In 25 years or so only had one guy wander over to the scorecard and notice something was written down for the hole different than what he reported - didn't say a word, lol. We always turn the card over to the other team after the round to review and turn in if we keep score so they have a chance to double check anything, but I've never bothered to follow up or had anyone raise an issue. In fairness, I've forgotten an OB on occasion over the course of a season, until my own partner looks at me and laughs - I just say those really good players supposedly forget those bad shots so I'm trying, too, lol.

 

If just conversation and someone says they shot "x" but I know it was really "y", I don't really care to ask about it or dispute it. Their issue, IMO.

[Bebsport678]

> @Bloom said:

> > @straightshot7 said:

> > > @Bebsport678 said:

> > > I’ve played competitively as an amateur as well and this bugs me too, and I know it shouldn’t but it does anyways. I never say anything or do anything about it but drives me nuts.

> >

> > Maybe it should bother you. I'm starting to think the best route may be to politely tell them that you play by the rules and don't really care about their score if they don't.

> >

> > I am starting to just tell people that.

>

> Sounds inconsiderate and rude.

>

> If he shot a good score, by his rules, then it was a good day for him. His 78, while skirting some rules, is being compared to his 98, with likely the same rules. So congrats to him, it was a good round for him.

>

> Trying to compare his round to yours, is different, but like others have said, it's not for money or anything, so no big deal. If it does get annoying (him bragging to other people he beat ya), just keep your own card and he'll never know your score. (I had a similar situation where I realized scores didn't matter so I just starting using an app on my phone for my scores and stats)

 

Some fair points for sure. I don’t disagree with you

[straightshot7]

> @Bloom said:

> > @straightshot7 said:

> > > @Bebsport678 said:

> > > I’ve played competitively as an amateur as well and this bugs me too, and I know it shouldn’t but it does anyways. I never say anything or do anything about it but drives me nuts.

> >

> > Maybe it should bother you. I'm starting to think the best route may be to politely tell them that you play by the rules and don't really care about their score if they don't.

> >

> > I am starting to just tell people that.

>

> Sounds inconsiderate and rude.

>

> If he shot a good score, by his rules, then it was a good day for him. His 78, while skirting some rules, is being compared to his 98, with likely the same rules. So congrats to him, it was a good round for him.

>

> Trying to compare his round to yours, is different, but like others have said, it's not for money or anything, so no big deal. If it does get annoying (him bragging to other people he beat ya), just keep your own card and he'll never know your score. (I had a similar situation where I realized scores didn't matter so I just starting using an app on my phone for my scores and stats)

 

It's inconsiderate and rude for me to tell them the truth? But it's not inconsiderate and rude for them to b.s. for several minutes to me about the great score they shot when we both know they don't follow the rules?

 

Okay.

 

Trust me if I ever say anything it would be tactful. I'm not going to say anything to someone I just met.

 

But if it's a good friend and they keep going on about their score I can gently say "look man you know I love you but we play by two different rule books it seems so you know I have to take your score with a grain of salt, right?"

 

I'm not sure it's so moral to just never tell your friend what you're really thinking. That's not a good friend either.

 

[Vindog]

I usually just say, "You struck it pretty well, but you didn't actually take all of your strokes." and leave it at that.

 

It's certainly never inconsiderate and rude.

[ThinkingPlus]

Well here in south TX we shoot them. You know you can't let people get away with that kind of behaviour. Now we are pretty fair about it. They get 10 seconds. You would be amazed how some of them get 70 or 80 yards away by then. Makes for a challenging shot. Most of the time they will only get a pellet or two in the backside, but the ones who argue or whine, well...

 

Just kidding, just kidding. We give them 20 seconds.

 

 

[SNIPERBBB]

Just ask if that was after hole #15. I just don't deal with those people period as outside of practice I only play in leagues, money games and tournaments.

[straightshot7]

> @Vindog said:

> I usually just say, "You struck it pretty well, but you didn't actually take all of your strokes." and leave it at that.

>

> It's certainly never inconsiderate and rude.

 

Haha, nice. Straight to the point.

[straightshot7]

> @ThinkingPlus said:

> Well here in south TX we shoot them. You know you can't let people get away with that kind of behaviour. Now we are pretty fair about it. They get 10 seconds. You would be amazed how some of them get 70 or 80 yards away by then. Makes for a challenging shot. Most of the time they will only get a pellet or two in the backside, but the ones who argue or whine, well...

>

> Just kidding, just kidding. We give them 20 seconds.

>

>

 

Totally respect that. Cheating should have consequences. It had consequences in school, why not in golf?

[expro1957]

I'm the "handicap chairman" of our group. I made a spreadsheet using the USGA procedures and post all our rounds. We have a couple of guys like this in our group. I wouldn't really call them cheaters...flagrant with the rules...sometimes maybe...but mainly just ego...they like to hear themselves say "I shot 75, but I made double on 18." And then there is the guy who has a putt for birdie when his team has all the pars that it needs. His birdie could help but he runs it 15' past the hole and says "I'm taking par...I was just being aggressive to help the team. My philosophy is to let them claim those "low" rounds. I post them and let them have their "vanity" handicaps. I love to play a guy that claims a 2 handicap when he is actually an 8 or 10. I don't argue with them after the round...I know the Rules of Golf and I will confront them on the spot during a round if I have to...but if they claim 74 when I know they shot 85, I'll post the 74 that they said they shot. That artificially low handicap that he is so proud of will bite him in the butt in the long run when it comes to paying off the bets.

[straightshot7]

> @expro1957 said:

> I'm the "handicap chairman" of our group. I made a spreadsheet using the USGA procedures and post all our rounds. We have a couple of guys like this in our group. I wouldn't really call them cheaters...flagrant with the rules...sometimes maybe...but mainly just ego...they like to hear themselves say "I shot 75, but I made double on 18." And then there is the guy who has a putt for birdie when his team has all the pars that it needs. His birdie could help but he runs it 15' past the hole and says "I'm taking par...I was just being aggressive to help the team. My philosophy is to let them claim those "low" rounds. I post them and let them have their "vanity" handicaps. I love to play a guy that claims a 2 handicap when he is actually an 8 or 10. I don't argue with them after the round...I know the Rules of Golf and I will confront them on the spot during a round if I have to...but if they claim 74 when I know they shot 85, I'll post the 74 that they said they shot. That artificially low handicap that he is so proud of will bite him in the butt in the long run when it comes to paying off the bets.

 

And this is the sad world we live in. And why I won't play in a handicap based match for money.

[jkim723]

> @expro1957 said:

> I'm the "handicap chairman" of our group. I made a spreadsheet using the USGA procedures and post all our rounds. We have a couple of guys like this in our group. I wouldn't really call them cheaters...flagrant with the rules...sometimes maybe...but mainly just ego...they like to hear themselves say "I shot 75, but I made double on 18." And then there is the guy who has a putt for birdie when his team has all the pars that it needs. His birdie could help but he runs it 15' past the hole and says "I'm taking par...I was just being aggressive to help the team. My philosophy is to let them claim those "low" rounds. I post them and let them have their "vanity" handicaps. I love to play a guy that claims a 2 handicap when he is actually an 8 or 10. I don't argue with them after the round...I know the Rules of Golf and I will confront them on the spot during a round if I have to...but if they claim 74 when I know they shot 85, I'll post the 74 that they said they shot. That artificially low handicap that he is so proud of will bite him in the butt in the long run when it comes to paying off the bets.

 

Agreed.

 

It’s just golf let them have their moment to boast. If it bothers you that much then sure you can say something too. No right or wrong in my opinion... unless you’re playing for something, pride/money... then you call all the frauds out who say double bogey when you know for a fact they’re par over.

[Augster]

If you’re not playing for money, why would it bother you? I read these comments on here every so often and keep thinking I’ll figure it out, but I doubt I ever will.

 

You know he didn’t shoot that score. He knows he didn’t shoot that score. So what does it matter what he says he shot? If I don’t have a bet with a guy and I know he shot 80 and says he shot 67, my answer would be, “Wow. Nice round.”

 

It’s ego, but not his. It’s your own. Someone claiming they beat you, even though you both know he didn’t, is a challenge to your ego and you feel you must correct this slight.

 

Better yet, challenge the braggarts to money games.

 

Finally, lighten up Francis.

[capking]

if I have an issue I say it right away, I have too big of a mouth not to. But I do it subtly like if someone beats me by a couple at the end of the round I casually remind them of that BS drop they took or that putt they missed but still called a par. Watch like 1 episode of curb your enthusiasm and you can hone the art of calling people out.

[Malvern]

As someone who comes from a no mulligan, no gimme, count properly environment, doesn't the ridiculousness start from the first hole?

 

We were on the tee at a future US Open venue waiting to tee off, one punter in front hit a shitty left snipe, next minute he's going again, I say to my host, "he doesn't need a provisional, I saw where it went", then the rest of the group went again. My host shrugged, "it's just what they do"

 

That said, vanity handicaps level things up.

 

 

[bladehunter]

> @ThinkingPlus said:

> Well here in south TX we shoot them. You know you can't let people get away with that kind of behaviour. Now we are pretty fair about it. They get 10 seconds. You would be amazed how some of them get 70 or 80 yards away by then. Makes for a challenging shot. Most of the time they will only get a pellet or two in the backside, but the ones who argue or whine, well...

>

> Just kidding, just kidding. We give them 20 seconds.

>

>

I see Texas humor and SC humor are very similar. Well played !

 

 

It bugs me too. But I do try to just ignore the delusional, so long as it’s not counting towards any team or single competition. But I want to badly to scream sometimes. Especially for that guy who rolls every ball ( fairway and rough) and is the most miraculous ball finder in the woods or hazards you’ve ever seen.

 

[HatsForBats]

> @straightshot7 said:

>

> And this is the sad world we live in. And why I won't play in a handicap based match for money.

 

So you won't play in handicap match for money because people may have a handicap that is too low? Ummmm, OK. I don't mind playing them and if they happen to ask why they have a hard time competing I offer them some advice on how they can make their index more accurate. Otherwise no skin off my back and more skin out of their wallet. For a friend that is starting to get scores close to where I am then it might start to bug me a and I would likely say something. But let's not pretend there is a polite way to say 'I play by the rules and don't really care about your score if you don't'. You are saying it to be a *&%^ so own it.

 

> @expro1957 said:

> I'm the "handicap chairman" of our group. I made a spreadsheet using the USGA procedures and post all our rounds. We have a couple of guys like this in our group. I wouldn't really call them cheaters...flagrant with the rules...sometimes maybe...but mainly just ego...they like to hear themselves say "I shot 75, but I made double on 18." And then there is the guy who has a putt for birdie when his team has all the pars that it needs. His birdie could help but he runs it 15' past the hole and says "I'm taking par...I was just being aggressive to help the team. My philosophy is to let them claim those "low" rounds. I post them and let them have their "vanity" handicaps. I love to play a guy that claims a 2 handicap when he is actually an 8 or 10. I don't argue with them after the round...I know the Rules of Golf and I will confront them on the spot during a round if I have to...but if they claim 74 when I know they shot 85, I'll post the 74 that they said they shot. That artificially low handicap that he is so proud of will bite him in the butt in the long run when it comes to paying off the bets.

 

If a player is getting very aggressive with birdie putts when the team already has a par and then proceeds to consistenlty leave long come-back putts and ends up taking a bogey I am going to have a little talk with them about their attempt to sandbag. I don't much care about the vanity cappers, it's the sandbaggers that are a problem.

[Warrior42111]

> @straightshot7 said:

> This isn't a really big deal but it is sort of a frustrating reality in amateur/casual golf.

>

> It seems like the vast majority of people I know, that typically haven't played competitive golf, tend to cheat. They don't count all of their strokes, they improve their lies, they play OB like a hazard, etc.

>

> I don't really have a problem with this (since it is primarily for their own enjoyment) except when they also pretend to have a legitimate score at the end of the round.

>

> Recently I had a friend (who is otherwise a very very high integrity person) tell me, "I had one of my best ever rounds. I shot a 78. Well, my dad gave me a couple gimmies but it was a legit 78".

>

> What he probably means is he missed a couple of 5-6 footers and his dad gave them to him. And most likely there was also an OB here or there that never got counted (breakfast ball).

>

> But, he is still considering this a 78?

>

> I was lucky enough to play competitively in high school and college so I got used to playing properly and taking the rules seriously. But it would seem like anyone could see the incongruity in not counting all of your strokes, and then telling people you shot a certain score.

>

> Sadly, I would bet at least 50% of people posting scores/carrying an official handicap aren't counting all of their shots properly. And, there are probably some reading this.

>

> How do you deal with this? Do you tell people flat out not to talk to you about their scores, when you know they cheat? Or, do you just roll your eyes on the inside and pretend to take them seriously?

 

For me I play different ways depending on the group. In my weekly league the rules are all written and sent to us and the scores are sometimes a little higher. My casual group for weekend rounds are a little more lax, however all of us as a group are all ok with let's call it our house rules ( 1 mulligan, sometime people give a 3ft putt).

 

If this was the league setting I would kinda mention it a humorous or silly me I forget was that a 6 with a penalty there question. Most of the time doing that gets them thinking. If not then it's time to be more direct. Personally, if it's a casual round it does not bother me, especially since he admitted he got a couple gimmies.

[Moo]

If it's a competitive match, then you call them on it. If not, no one really cares.

 

An example. I was playing two days ago and a friend said another friend of ours shot a 76. I asked if my friend was playing with him that round. He said he did not. I said, "he didn't shoot a 76" and everyone in our group knew exactly what I was saying. Everyone knows this guy does not keep an actual score.

 

So, everyone knows the real score.

[davep043]

> @straightshot7 said:

> This isn't a really big deal but it is sort of a frustrating reality in amateur/casual golf.

>

> It seems like the vast majority of people I know, that typically haven't played competitive golf, tend to cheat. They don't count all of their strokes, they improve their lies, they play OB like a hazard, etc.

>

>......

>

> How do you deal with this? Do you tell people flat out not to talk to you about their scores, when you know they cheat? Or, do you just roll your eyes on the inside and pretend to take them seriously?

 

To be honest, you're the one making a deal of this. My impression is that you don't want these guys to shoot a score better than yours, even if you're not in a competition with them.

 

For me, if we're competing, even if the stakes are just a dollar, I make sure we all get scores right. If I think they've given me a wrong hole score, we go back through it stroke by stroke until we agree. I might do exactly the same thing if we're just playing with friends just for fun, although my level of insistence might drop by a good bit. If I'm with strangers, and not competing, I simply don't care. I certainly wouldn't be rude enough to say "Don't talk to me about your cheating scores", and probably wouldn't even go as far as to mentally roll my eyes. Its more of a shoulder shrug, do whatever you feel like. I'll play my own game, play by the rules, and keep the correct score, and let them make their own choices.