Even, 18th hole of a match, both lying square just short of the green. Opponent believes he is in an abnormal ground condition and asks if I agree that he can get relief. (Naturally, it was a shocking lie)

It’s not at all clear that he’s entitled, so I say “I don’t know, but if you take relief I will make a claim”. Uncertainty continues, until Helpful Spectator tells him he has the option of playing two balls. He was actually going to do this – I don’t have enough mongrel in me – “Mate, you can’t do that in match. If you do, I win”. More confusion, until someone finds a rule book.

Side conversation with player from another match “He can only take a drop if you say he can. He has to do what his marker says”. Me – “Firstly, I’m not his marker, I’m his opponent. In either case, I’m not a referee. He can do what he thinks is right – but if he drops I will make a claim” (getting testy by now). Other player wants to continue this – but I’m not in the mood.

At my suggestion, someone gets the club pro (who is on the match committee). After short delay, pro arrives and says “I don’t know either – why don’t you play two balls?” Shaking my head in disbelief, we go through the rule again.

Pennant captain drops by. Repeat above. By now I’m having trouble keeping my temper (manage it).

Finally, the chairman of the match committee turns up. (he at least does not make the 2 ball suggestion!) We now have a quorum of the committee and after some discussion, they do not allow a drop. After nearly a half hour delay, we end up halving the hole.

Go to sudden death, having picked up a substantial gallery (10 cart loads or so) – and I hear the mutterings that “he (me) wouldn’t allow a drop when he should have” (aaargh!)

Being able to outdrive me by 80m, he Tigers my Mediate on the par 5 second for a win. And did it well.

What I’m having trouble dealing with is the implication in the clubhouse that I was the one taking unfair advantage. If I’m going to cop it that way, I bloody well should have let him play the two balls!

P*d off.

ST

Armchair referees. The committee decision should have silenced the critics. Matchplay isn’t charity work, if the opponent was not entitled to a drop, then so be it. Given what you’ve written you fought a fair battle.

Yeah, thanks mate, I don’t see I could have done anything differently. Trouble is these things get their own life around the bar – that’s what peeves me.

The committee’s decision didn’t affect the outcome of the match, but it definitely could have – and it was a tough one. To all committee members who do this out of goodwill, hat’s off to you.

you should try law enforcement for a living. You get used to that sort of conversation whenever you walk into a room. People love to have rules in their lives, except when it stops them doing something to which they believe they are entitled. Then your the worst bastard in the world.

Pity you didn’t beat him, would have made the trials all the more worth it.

As i heard a NRL referee say to a player on the weekend. “i don’t make em mate, i just enforce em”

There is no drama between me and him. He was entitled to get a decision, and wasn’t being a smart aleck– it was an unlucky lie and unclear. And like I said it didn’t affect the outcome. The match was enjoyable. Well, OK, he probably enjoyed it more :-)

I could have won by letting him listen to the spectator, and then deserved to be slagged off in the bar.

No, officer, I didn’t see the stop sign.

Well done Shorts Tuff for not being overwhelmed by the whole situation and giving in to him. As said before too bad you didn’t prevail.

Well done Shorts Tuff for not being overwhelmed by the whole situation and giving in to him. As said before too bad you didn’t prevail.

Was browsing and just noticed this thread. Surely the suggestion to play two balls was inappropriate. While this can be a good way of resolving a problem in stroke play, in match play, doesn’t the decision need to be finalised before proceeding to the next hole?

Quite right, Brian. That was what was getting me so steamed (apart from nerves and wanting to finish the hole) – why did so many people not know this?

Experience has taught me that in golf, there are a lot more “rules experts” who don’t know the rules than who do.

The rules of golf determine whether he got a drop or not, ( obstruction, gur etc ) too many people go “drop hunting” without knowing the rules.
If as his opponent you do not give him a drop his only course of action is to seek a ruling ( without undue delay ) there and then or notify you of his intention to appeal before you finish the hole and play from the next tee.. ( Dangerous thing to do in this circumstance )
The two ball option does not apply to match play as a decision must be reached or appealed before any player tees off on the next hole ( or walks off the last green )
The problem with issues like this is they “fester” and its bad news if its early in the match.
Best course is don’t allow the drop if your not sure and advise your opponent of his option to appeal and get over it.

Agree with Baz37 – things like this can fester. If it was me, provided my opponent was not seeking a drop where it was obvious he should not get one, I would give him the benefit of the doubt – it wasn’t the British or US Open was it?

Yeah, like I said, tangled.

Baz
IMO, he was “drop hunting”, but that’s by the bye
1. I can’t “give” him a drop. He takes it or not. I made it plain that I disagreed and would claim if he took it.
2. He didn’t know he could get a ruling. I pointed that out. He’s entitled to it
Brian
1. my view is you get a free drop when it’s clear that you should
2. no, not an Open. But important to him and I

Still lost as to how I ended up the bad guy in this, so last weekend with my “nazi” reputation I shut up. Fellow competitor tapped down his putting line. Didn’t call him on it. He won his grade on count back. Now I AM the bad guy, but only you and I know

Mate, you can give him a drop in match play if there is doubt in your minds. That said, you were perfectly correct in advising him as you did, I would have done the same.
Its amazing to me how many people doing the right thing end up the “bad guy”. I had to give a ruling last Saturday that had the same result, I’m the baddie…so be it.
If I could say in a “friendly” way, you were wrong not to call the second one. Two wrongs etc etc, and you already had a rep as a “nazi” so what’s to lose. But I understand your motives.
I let one go about five years ago…never again…..the wrong guy’s name is on the “Medal of Medals” honour board because of my not wanting to be a “nazi”. Every time I walk past that bloody board now it brings back the memory, as I said…never again !!!

Thanks, Baz. I traded my wish for a peaceful existence for Ray’s (who lost the count back) win. Guess I won’t be looking Ray in the eye any time soon. Mea culpa.

Look forward, can’t change the past.

It often happens ( not always, unfortunately ) that if your seen to be up front and consistent with keeping to the rules, people begin to accept and eventually respect your position. Especially if you “call one” on yourself, for example the ball moves and your the only one to see it, integrity comes from within.

I have also found that the ones that scream “nazi” the loudest often are the ones most likely to “bend” when it suits them.

I’ll usually let another player know how I see the rule, but tell him he’s welcome to play it as he thinks, as I could be wrong. If he says I have the rule wrong and I know I haven’t, I’ll ask him if he’s 100% sure. If he says yes then I’ll request a $50 bet on it.