Breach of Etiquette

[Solutions Etcetera]

Divots

Last season my normal twosome got paired up with a single that drove me nuts. He was a nice enough guy, and a member no less, but he took at least two practice swings over every shot. Problem was he took full divots with each swing. Tee box, fairway, everything!

Tee boxes are dug up enough on my course, especially in Spring and Fall, where its tree lined nature makes it hard to grow grass due to almost constant shade on many of them.

It wasn't until recently that I looked this up in the RoG and discovered that it was considered a breach of etiquette. What are the consequences of such a repeated breach? What would you do if you witnessed this?

[Hawkeye77]

Interesting. One of the reasons I've gotten away from practice swings on normal shots is that I feel if I'm not taking a divot, I'm not practicing my swing and I don't want to tear up the course.

I'm pretty much a live and let live, but I'd probably try and have a quiet word or maybe have the pro or someone else with some friendly authority do it. Just a matter of finding the right person to approach him, maybe even a friend.

[slocagolfer]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1332287458' post='4546142']
Last season my normal twosome got paired up with a single that drove me nuts. He was a nice enough guy, and a member no less, but he took at least two practice swings over every shot. Problem was he took full divots with each swing. Tee box, fairway, everything!

Tee boxes are dug up enough on my course, especially in Spring and Fall, where its tree lined nature makes it hard to grow grass due to almost constant shade on many of them.

It wasn't until recently that I looked this up in the RoG and discovered that it was considered a breach of etiquette. What are the consequences of such a repeated breach? What would you do if you witnessed this?
[/quote]

Did he replace or fill the divot holes? If not, I would have if it wasn't too far out of my way. You could say something like, "Here, let me get that for you." He may not have had any intention of repairing the course but maybe, just maybe, he would get the hint.

[Guia]

I would ask him not to screw up the tee box, bad etiquette.

[rogolf]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1332287458' post='4546142']
Last season my normal twosome got paired up with a single that drove me nuts. He was a nice enough guy, and a member no less, but he took at least two practice swings over every shot. Problem was he took full divots with each swing. Tee box, fairway, everything!

Tee boxes are dug up enough on my course, especially in Spring and Fall, where its tree lined nature makes it hard to grow grass due to almost constant shade on many of them.

It wasn't until recently that I looked this up in the RoG and discovered that it was considered a breach of etiquette. What are the consequences of such a repeated breach? What would you do if you witnessed this?
[/quote]


How about just asking him "is this abuse of the course necessary?" Practice swings are to remind the body's muscles what to do, not rehearsals of the real swing, ie, taking divots isn't necessary. Sometimes we just need to be straight up with people and not beat around the bushes or expect others to do it. If you care about his behavior or the course, say something to him.

[TheBerk]

To me the kicker is if he makes an effort to repair. If so, I'd let it slide, if not...not sure I could stomach 5 holes even.

[Solutions Etcetera]

I never once saw him sand or repair anything.

I am never sure about acting like the course police. As he was a member, I told the head pro.

I was more interested in what the consequences were rules-wise. I am guessing if it would affect his score, I would have no problem pointing that out to him. Are multiple etiquette breaches during a round meaningless or is there somewhere in the rules I am missing as to their penalty?

[rogolf]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1332333780' post='4549000']
I never once saw him sand or repair anything.

I am never sure about acting like the course police. As he was a member, I told the head pro.

I was more interested in what the consequences were rules-wise. I am guessing if it would affect his score, I would have no problem pointing that out to him. Are multiple etiquette breaches during a round meaningless or is there somewhere in the rules I am missing as to their penalty?
[/quote]

The only penalty that can be applied for breaches of etiquette is disqualification, and it can only be applied for a serious breach of etiquette - which this is not.
No stroke penalties or loss of hole penalties can ever be applied for breaches of etiquette - see the Etiquette section in the Rules and also Rule 33-7.

"Caring for the course" is part of etiquette and is everyone's responsibility. If you are willing to point out penalties incurred for breaches of Rules, you should be willing to point out breaches of etiquette.
Model the correct behavior.

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='rogolf' timestamp='1332336879' post='4549178']

The only penalty that can be applied for breaches of etiquette is disqualification, and it can only be applied for a serious breach of equiquette - which this is not.
No stroke penalties or loss of hole penalties can ever be applied for breaches of etiquette - see the Etiquette section in the Rules and also Rule 33-7.

"Caring for the course" is part of etiquette and is everyone's responsibility. If you are willing to point out penalties incurred for breaches of Rules, you should be willing to point out breaches of etiquette.
Model the correct behavior.
[/quote]
Interesting. Why have rules for etiquette if there is nothing in place to enforce the behavior (rhetorical)?



I think I'll just beat him to death with my 6 iron.

[rogolf]

The only penalty that can be applied for breaches of etiquette is disqualification, and it can only be applied for a serious breach of equiquette - which this is not.

No stroke penalties or loss of hole penalties can ever be applied for breaches of etiquette - see the Etiquette section in the Rules and also Rule 33-7.

 

"Caring for the course" is part of etiquette and is everyone's responsibility. If you are willing to point out penalties incurred for breaches of Rules, you should be willing to point out breaches of etiquette.

Model the correct behavior.

Interesting. Why have rules for etiquette if there is nothing in place to enforce the behavior (rhetorical)?

 

 

 

I think I'll just beat him to death with my 6 iron.

 

That would be a serious breach of etiquette!

[Hawkeye77]

I agree with the above. If you are jumping at the chance to tell him the consequences to his card, shouldn't be any harder to discuss care of the course. That seems like a bigger priority than what some stranger might write down for a score.

[edLmuldoon]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1332337864' post='4549252']
[quote name='rogolf' timestamp='1332336879' post='4549178']
The only penalty that can be applied for breaches of etiquette is disqualification, and it can only be applied for a serious breach of equiquette - which this is not.
No stroke penalties or loss of hole penalties can ever be applied for breaches of etiquette - see the Etiquette section in the Rules and also Rule 33-7.

"Caring for the course" is part of etiquette and is everyone's responsibility. If you are willing to point out penalties incurred for breaches of Rules, you should be willing to point out breaches of etiquette.
Model the correct behavior.
[/quote]
Interesting. Why have rules for etiquette if there is nothing in place to enforce the behavior (rhetorical)?



I think I'll just beat him to death with my 6 iron.
[/quote]

The committee, aka the golf course, could impose a stroke penalty if they deem that course "destruction" was occuring on a regular basis. It'd be enforced like any rule a committee imposes. I am making a few assumptions here, but I've never seen it done. You just mentioned how growing grass is tough at this course, it would bother me too. Leading by example is my best solution...just shame him into it.