Disqualified in my 1st-ever tournament

[golfslo]

I'm nearing the completion of my first full year of playing golf on a weekly basis and decided it's time to give tournament play a shot. After taking the game up last February, I managed to play just over 50 rounds in 2005, breaking 80 only twice, but lowering my handicap from about 16 to 10.

I decided to join the Cypress Ridge Men's Golf Club and signed up for my first tournament - a pick your tees format (4 red, 4 black 5 blue, 5 white) - which occurred today. Although I've never played in an tournament before - other than a 4-man best ball tourny last year - I'm very familiar with the rules of tournament play. I play regularly with a friend who plays very seriously in local tournaments and insures I play by those rules in our casual match play rounds for a couple bucks per nine. I can't remember when he last gave me a gimme putt since he knows I often miss the 2-footers.

I started today's round with my best start ever - shooting even par after 7 holes. I bogied 1 with a short chip and 2 putts, birdied 2 with an 8-foot putt, parred 3, 4 and 5, and birdied 6. I then hit my drive on the par-4 7 out-of-bounds, but put my provisional on the green and 2 putted for bogie - even par after 7!

I then double bogied the next 3 holes! I 3-putted 8, 4-putted 9, and took an unplayable lie penalty on 10 followed by a poor chip. I finished the last 8 holes with 1 more birdie, 3 pars and 4 bogies - a 9-over 81 finish, making for my second best finish at Cypress Ridge Golf Course ever!

My net score of 70 turned out to be the 2nd best net score for the day - a windy and cold day that challenged everyone, resulting in some higher than normal scores. I actually enjoyed the weather and played one of my best rounds. The cold wind actually made for a beautiful day with great visibility creating distant ocean views from several holes.

Needless to say, I was elated to learn that I squeaked out a top finish even after my streak of 3 double bogies!

However, a few minutes after learning I was 'in the money', I found out that my cart partner told the league director that I hit my FOURTH putt on the ninth hole while the ball was still moving! First off, I honestly don't remember doing so, but, being my first tournament, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and agreed to be disqualified.

My decision to get involved in playing tournaments is simply for the experience and to enjoy another aspect of the game. I certainly don't plan to start taking myself or the game too seriously or care about winning any money. However, I was still very discouraged by this news - enough so, I seriously considered just giving up on this idea of playing tournaments. It sure burst my bubble!

I was especially disturbed that this player didn't say anything to me at the time of the supposed infraction! He even signed my scorecard at the end of the round - before breaking this news, and after learning I'd placed well.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure it must have really happened and that my cart partner didn't just make it up. I probably hit the ball just before it came to a stop after being frustrated by missing my 3rd putt - I just don't remember doing it. I'm sure I wasn't too happy with my 4 putts!

Beyond all this, what leaves me most discouraged is that nobody in my group seemed to have much fun. They all shot poorly - my cart partner in particular, shooting 94. He got off to a bad start on the 2nd when his ball got plugged in the sand trap. His game never fully recovered - especially after he hit 3 balls out-of-bounds from the tee on 5. Maybe he was even a little bent out of shape that I was playing so well in my first attempt at playing in a tournament - who knows.

Anyway, after playing golf for nearly a year, he's the first golfer I've ever been paired with that I struggled to enjoy playing with. I don't think he ever broke a smile during the entire round. In my opinion, a player of his level has no business taking the game too seriously!

To rub salt in the wound, another golfer in the group who I really liked, pulled me aside after the round and informed me that I need to learn to play faster! I agreed that I take more time than some over the ball, clearing my mind of any thoughts other than that of the target and intended flight or roll, but I save time by scoping out my next shot while others are shooting or putting, having the right clubs me, not taking extra practice swings, etc. I am VERY aware of time on the course and make every effort to never hold up play.

He was justified in complaining about a slow round, but that resulted from looking for their lost balls and mostly due to the tournament format of choosing from 4 tees, causing the four of us to wait on each other as we hit from 3 and even 4 different tees on the same hole. Due to the fact that this tournament format is known to slow down play, every other group was sent out as a threesome, but we were sent out last - as the only foursome.

After playing over 50 rounds in the past year and playing quite a few of those rounds with a couple of the course's marshalls and even one with the course's Director of Instruction, I've never been told I play slow! Funny, seems to me that the time I took to quiet my mind over each shot and visualize the target sure resulted in a better score than whatever methods they used! And they had the lower handicaps... Argh!

I certainly plan to ask my regular playing partners if anyone else considers my play to be slow. If so, I'll certainly make some changes to speed it up. I just can't help but think these guys were a little frustrated with the whole round and took it out on the newby. On the hand, I'm sure I have some learning to do. I'll be open.

I'll give this one more chance next month and see if anyone else out there is like me - happy to have the opportunity to be playing such a great game on a great course in a great location. And you can bet I won't hit any balls that might still be in motion! Perhaps I should also ask to be paired with the league director so he can evaluate whether I know the rules, play by them and play fast enough ;)

[hubijerk]

your playing partner, the one who signed your card and complained about your infraction should have been DQ'd as well, if a player knowingly signs an incorrect scorecard he is dq'd, funny how the tournament director decided not to call that one.........at any rate even if you did screw up and hit the ball while it was moving, thats a bush league move on his part, ive seen alot of b.s. in my years of playing, some people cant deal with getting beat on the course so they try and stick it to you on the card, stuff like this happens alot im afraid, keep your eyes open.

[philfrance]

Dno't let it get to you. This can happen all the time, and ultimately, you'll accept the game, and respect it, when you play it by the rules with a pro-player's attitude.

I used to hate all the etiquette, the rules, the do's and don'ts, but i've learned them, and have become somewhat critical of those who don't.

other than that, golf is a sport full of a**holes. when playing a tournament, focus on your round, and if you don't know the others and they don't seem open to talk, lock yourself into your own round, and concentrate on respecting the rules perfectly. that's generally what i do, when a player is having a bad round and is getting angry - because i know that he's going to take it out on me at some point of time if he can.

in france, tournaments only are qualified to affect handicap, so you have to go through tournaments at least a dozen times a year.... we get used to it. as a 5 handucap though, it's pretty pleasant, the tee times are by handicap order, the lower ones first - i generally tee off early, with the better players i know, who play decent golf and know the rules, and have enough experience to know that we all play bad rounds occasonally, so all is cool.

but i remember the days playing in the 20-30 handicap range, wher because of the majority of players, i didn't know my partners half of the time, application of rules was quite random and unsure, and bad shots often led to tantrums.....

if you have any way to influence tee times, see if you can tee off with people with the same handicap as you, or slightly better, and put a fun wager on the round this will lead to having fun, and be motivating - i wouldn't penalize anybody for a moving ball if it was involuntary in an amateur tournament - but i owuld mention it to the player and tell him that it could cost him strokes or disqualification - and let him penalize himself if he wants to - as amateurs, we're not playing for our lives or $1million.....

[PA Jayhawk]

your playing partner, the one who signed your card and complained about your infraction should have been DQ'd as well, if a player knowingly signs an incorrect scorecard he is dq'd, funny how the tournament director decided not to call that one.........

It does sound like the tournament director needs to read up on the rules. He should have been disqualified. If the playing partner is someone you see around at all and it is ever brought up, you should point this out to him to see where his "Moral Inclinations" for the rules lie.

[chubdo]

Dno't let it get to you. This can happen all the time, and ultimately, you'll accept the game, and respect it, when you play it by the rules with a pro-player's attitude.

I used to hate all the etiquette, the rules, the do's and don'ts, but i've learned them, and have become somewhat critical of those who don't.

other than that, golf is a sport full of a**holes. when playing a tournament, focus on your round, and if you don't know the others and they don't seem open to talk, lock yourself into your own round, and concentrate on respecting the rules perfectly. that's generally what i do, when a player is having a bad round and is getting angry - because i know that he's going to take it out on me at some point of time if he can.

in france, tournaments only are qualified to affect handicap, so you have to go through tournaments at least a dozen times a year.... we get used to it. as a 5 handucap though, it's pretty pleasant, the tee times are by handicap order, the lower ones first - i generally tee off early, with the better players i know, who play decent golf and know the rules, and have enough experience to know that we all play bad rounds occasonally, so all is cool.

but i remember the days playing in the 20-30 handicap range, wher because of the majority of players, i didn't know my partners half of the time, application of rules was quite random and unsure, and bad shots often led to tantrums.....

if you have any way to influence tee times, see if you can tee off with people with the same handicap as you, or slightly better, and put a fun wager on the round this will lead to having fun, and be motivating - i wouldn't penalize anybody for a moving ball if it was involuntary in an amateur tournament - but i owuld mention it to the player and tell him that it could cost him strokes or disqualification - and let him penalize himself if he wants to - as amateurs, we're not playing for our lives or $1million.....

in this case, when a person saw another "breaking" a rule, what and when does the person need to do about it, assuming he is an upright citizen? immediately after the incident, or after the hole is finished, or later before finally signing the cards, etc? thanks

[Nacho_D/FW]

Hey Golfslo,

No worries. I think that the players in your group were just being nit-picky because you were the newbie. I have never played in a tournament but I would think that people that do play in those are more serious about their game and are therefore, more anal. The important thing to keep in mind is, you have been playing for one year and are almost in the 70's. How the hell did u do that if you don't mind me asking? Did you take lessons initially or are you just naturally athletic?

I've been playing for a little over a year now and I went from the 130's to the high 90's. What's your secret

[wei_c25]

Sounds like a great effort in your first tournament. I wouldn't worry about the people you were playing with... especially the guy that said you were playing too slow, you've played enough golf to know better. Based on the scores others were posting, it's not like this was the PGA tour or anything. I also agree with what someone said earlier - the game of golf is full of you know whats. Best to not let that bother you.

I think you should definately play more tournaments. You've worked hard on your game and competition is a great way to measure yourself and get motivated and work to get to that next level.

[bethpage caddy]

That is not allowed, at all, and I'm surprised the tournament director didn't know that. If there is an issue such as hitting a ball that is moving, the player must bring it up with you before you two finish the hole, or take another stroke for that matter. Him simply marking your score on that hole, let alone signing an incorrect scorecard is grounds not only for your score to stand, but for him to be disqualified.

Just curious, was the ball really moving?

[TheLastDon]

in this case, when a person saw another "breaking" a rule, what and when does the person need to do about it, assuming he is an upright citizen? immediately after the incident, or after the hole is finished, or later before finally signing the cards, etc? thanks

Anytime there is someone "breaking" a rule, it should be brought up as soon as possible.......immediately after the incident is best. This way, if there is any question about the ruling or how best to procede the player can in some cases play an "alternate" ball and have 2 scores on the scorecard until the rules official can make the ruling as to what the proper score should be.

Not calling you on the moving ball putt until after the round is absolute crap, just pure bush league. I would have had serious words with that guy and the tourney rules official about his ***hole behavior. Even if you were in the wrong, which I doubt but we'll assume you were, he has an obligation to point it out while your there. I would have asked him (in front of the rules official) why he waited to point out the infraction. If he said I wasn't sure when I saw it, then he can't be sure now.........no penalty. This isn't a case where it should have been left until later to point out because he has to think over the rules, it's simply being an arse.

If he brings it up while your on the green, it's simple. If anyone else saw it move, take the penalty. If you didn't see it, playing partners didn't see it, and only he "saw it" then it's still pretty simple. Hole out under both situations, properly marking scores under the penalty and without, then when your done with the round consult the rules official before signing anyone's scorecard. Worst case is the penalty is called, crap happens, the higher score is counted............but your still in the tourney and not DQ'd.

As far as the person telling you about slow play...........given the tourney conditions and such, you may have just been playing slower than he likes to play.........not necessarily "slow play". Try and always be ready to go when it's your turn and you'll be in good shape.

[golfslo]

Thanks everyone for your honest and valueable input! It really helped give me better perspective and inspired me to give the men's league one more chance. After thinking about this all night last night, I was ready to throw in the towel. Although I'm serious about trying to play my best, I don't take myself or the game too seriously. I'm more than happy to keep playing recreationally. However, I know I have the ability to get to a single-digit handicap and feel that such a handicap can only truly be earned through tournament play - with its added pressures.

Funny too... after thinking about the round in detail yesterday, I realized that the entire foursome should have been DQ'd!

The guy who blew the whistle on the supposed moving ball putt not only should be DQ'd for signing my card, but his play on the 5th was suspicious as well. He hit his drive OB as well as his next 2 provisionals - all to the same location left of the fairway. He then yelled out that "I'm done, my round is over" - a voluntary DQ. We all then headed over to the area he hit all his balls to at least help him find and recover his valuable Pro-V1's. We found at least one of them. The rest of us then took our approach shots and went to the green to putt. We then looked back and saw the guy driving his cart back to the tee to hit his 4th drive. I guess he decided to UN-DQ himself. I guess that was legal??

Then on 12, the guy who later told me I play too slowly, missed a putt, then in frustration, backhanded his resulting putt from 1-2 feet and missed. He then picked up his ball in more frustration (with no mark), started walking away, then realized he didn't putt out. So he put the ball back down (about an inch from where the ball had been) and putted out. DQ right?

Lastly, the third guy in the group did DQ himself voluntarily on the 13th after loosing a ball. He was just disgusted and didn't want to bother going back to hit another ball. He then finished the round putting one-handed ;).

Back to our slow play... not only did my cart partner's actions on the 5th (3 tee shots - look for balls - go back to hit 4th tee shot) take forever, but the next two holes were just as bad. The guy who called me slow, hit a drive on the 6th, then found a ball under a tree and hit it. Before chipping this ball on, he realized he'd hit the wrong ball - he took a stroke penelty as required. After we spent another 5 minutes going back and looking for his actual drive and not finding it, he drove back to the tee to his his 2nd drive. We then found his ball, so I climbed down in the ravine where he'd hit his 2nd drive into a hazard to retrieve it for him. That hole took nearly 25 minutes to play.

Then on the next hole, my cart partner hit a drive that looked like it might have gone OB, but I was pretty sure was safe. He then hit a provisional about 80-100 yards out into some heavy brush. Not sure we'd find that one, he hit a third tee shot. First, we spent time looking for his 2nd shot, but didnt' find it. We then looked for his first shot and eventually found it. He then went back to his 2nd shot just to see if he could find his ball.... Another lengthy hole!

Argh! Sure wish my first experience had been a better one!

p.s. Nacho, thanks for your comments. I did do a couple clinics with the Director of Instruction at Cypress Ridge - who I highly recommend - who among other things, fixed my grip and improved putting stroke. I also read some books I found very helpful in improving my mental game - which although may cause me to stand over the ball for a couple seconds later, it prevented any wasted time spent looking for lost balls ;). I really got a lot out of Bob Rotella's "Golf is not a game of Perfect" and Joe Shoemaker's "Extraordinary Golf". I do have natural athletic ability too. I just took up golf regularly (at 46) after quiting roller hockey due to ongoing back problems. Pretty impressive too getting your game in the 90's after starting at 130!!

[bethpage caddy]

And for the record, I'm clenching my fist over the fact that you can play golf in a warm place while I'm here under 6 inches of snow!

[philfrance]

Dude - based on the round of golf you described - i'd feel like going out and punching any of your partners that DQ'ed you. I would go back to the tournament official and tell him you accept the DQ - but these are te circumstances......blablabla. ( take it like a man, no crying, but die with honor).

if you end up playing another round like that, call in an official if you have any doubts, or play the 6.2 rule ( i'm not sure of the number), hole out your shot, and hit a second shot replacing from the original spot and mark both socres. always get consent of anything you do that you have doubts on regarding rules and when taking drops from your fellow players.

just to make you feel better, i don't think i've played any tournaments tha were that bad - when someone asks me about a rule in play, i answer them to the best of my knowledge. if someone 'consciously' cheats, i tell him then and there, and correct the issue, if someone unknowingly cheats, i tell him but generally won't penalize him ( it's more like i inform him of something he apparently ignores), and i don't apply strict rules in local amateur tournaments with higher handicaps (its tough enough as it is) - i consider them applicable and normal in serious amateur tournaments ( non club tournaments) - but it rarely is a consideration, cuz at that level most players no the rules and apply them to themselves. i wouldn't have dq'ed you, nor counted any penalty strokes for a ball that moved involuntarily while addressing a putt because of wind....

(Jim Furyk did in hawaii 10 days ago though, he took two strokes himself, and was not dq'ed because of that).

usually, guys that play like your partners can cheat all they want, and they still lose tournaments - if they dqed you, it was out of jealousy that you were having a better round - if you see them soon, tell 'em a guy from France told them they can f..k off for spoiling a great game with such a poor attitude.

get back to tournament play - consider this an enriching experience.....

[chubdo]

Anytime there is someone "breaking" a rule, it should be brought up as soon as possible.......immediately after the incident is best. This way, if there is any question about the ruling or how best to procede the player can in some cases play an "alternate" ball and have 2 scores on the scorecard until the rules official can make the ruling as to what the proper score should be.

Not calling you on the moving ball putt until after the round is absolute crap, just pure bush league. I would have had serious words with that guy and the tourney rules official about his ***hole behavior. Even if you were in the wrong, which I doubt but we'll assume you were, he has an obligation to point it out while your there. I would have asked him (in front of the rules official) why he waited to point out the infraction. If he said I wasn't sure when I saw it, then he can't be sure now.........no penalty. This isn't a case where it should have been left until later to point out because he has to think over the rules, it's simply being an arse.

If he brings it up while your on the green, it's simple. If anyone else saw it move, take the penalty. If you didn't see it, playing partners didn't see it, and only he "saw it" then it's still pretty simple. Hole out under both situations, properly marking scores under the penalty and without, then when your done with the round consult the rules official before signing anyone's scorecard. Worst case is the penalty is called, crap happens, the higher score is counted............but your still in the tourney and not DQ'd.

As far as the person telling you about slow play...........given the tourney conditions and such, you may have just been playing slower than he likes to play.........not necessarily "slow play". Try and always be ready to go when it's your turn and you'll be in good shape.

excellent, thanks!

[avcguy]

Wow, what a disappointing day for your first tournament. You got stuck with some real sclups.
I hope Mr. Righteous can sleep well at night. Sounds like he was a little jealous of your good play in your first tourney. Did he happen to be the same guy who called Michelle Wie on her 12 inch advantage. Some guys think they need to keep all well in the universe by making it difficult for others. "I'll show that guy. He may have beat me by 13 strokes on the course, but I'll teach him a lesson on tournament golf."
Sorry to tell you, there are a lot of guys like that in tourney golf. A person gets used to playing with their friends, and it is kind of a shock to play with new guys. Some won't talk at all. The worst situation is when one guy is playing well and the rest aren't, especially if your a rookie.
The slow play comment. I'm sure you were a bit nervous, so you did what you had to, to focus and be calm. If your playing well and they aren't, you naturally will take more time. If your hitting balls all over, you don't need to concentrate too much, you just want to get it over with. Then you see a guy concentrating because he is playing well and it seems slow.
Probably one mistake was telling them you were a rookie if you did.
Good luck in your next tourney, I'm sure your next experience will be better, now that you know what to expect.

[golfslo]

avcguy, I think you nailed it... I shouldn't have ever told them I was a rookie! I went into this very naive. I'll just consider this my needed initiation ;)

I shared my story with 2 friends - 1 the guy I referred to who plays lots of local tournaments. He replied that he forgot to prepare me for that part of tournament play ;)

The other friend who doesn't play golf (but plays great basketball) added this funny (and somewhat true) reply:

I’m not surprised by the attitudes. Something about golf – an evil obsession really. Middle aged guys playing basketball or hockey don’t have the delusions of getting great as they get old and fat, just happy to still be playing and trying to do some of the things they used to do. That “if I played enough I could make the senior tour� delusion seems to make for some crazies... My theory. If you want to make friends and be around positive people, I’d say golf touneys are the wrong place to look. A sport where the crowd is not allowed to cheer as you hit a stationary ball is too serious for me.

[Sockmonkey]

Hi, I cant believe what happend to you.. My only comment goes along with the rest of the posts...Dont quit.. play your game... and play the course.. not your partners!! (unless match play of course )

the one thing I would add.. the great round you had was no fluke!! your capable of shooting that well everyday!!!

please let us know how you do in your next tourney

seems like if your playing golf or talking about it on a forum.... its loosing its honorable aspects with some people.

all the best

W

[fred3]

If you honestly don't feel the ball moved then I'd have not agreed to what the other person said. Who knows why they saw what they saw. Live and learn. Keep playing and ask the person who claimed your ball moved why they didn't say so immediately. Sounds a wee bit suspect to me(their motives that is).

[PaintballinJeff]

Well, man, don't let it get to you. I've never played a golf tourney, but I have been in a few paintball tourneys. Paintball is also a sport full of a-holes and sore losers. But you just have to overlook the fact that you were disqualified and focus on the fact that you played a great round. Did you have fun? If so, then it doesn't matter what the other guys thought.

I've seen players get disqualified in pb tourneys for playing on, after they had been hit, to fist fighting, to using innapropriate language with the refs. Yours was an honest mistake, but it could happen to anyone. Keep your chin up and good luck in future tourneys.

[neverman]

The guy shot a 94 he didn't need to be DQ'd he sucked it up bad and decided to bring someone else down because he's an a$$hat. He probably kicks his dog too.

You played very well for your 1st real tourney. The stress level and enjoyment are quite a bit different than a casual foursome. You'll know next time

[wwjdwithca]

I'm nearing the completion of my first full year of playing golf on a weekly basis and decided it's time to give tournament play a shot. After taking the game up last February, I managed to play just over 50 rounds in 2005, breaking 80 only twice, but lowering my handicap from about 16 to 10.

I decided to join the Cypress Ridge Men's Golf Club and signed up for my first tournament - a pick your tees format (4 red, 4 black 5 blue, 5 white) - which occurred today. Although I've never played in an tournament before - other than a 4-man best ball tourny last year - I'm very familiar with the rules of tournament play. I play regularly with a friend who plays very seriously in local tournaments and insures I play by those rules in our casual match play rounds for a couple bucks per nine. I can't remember when he last gave me a gimme putt since he knows I often miss the 2-footers.

I started today's round with my best start ever - shooting even par after 7 holes. I bogied 1 with a short chip and 2 putts, birdied 2 with an 8-foot putt, parred 3, 4 and 5, and birdied 6. I then hit my drive on the par-4 7 out-of-bounds, but put my provisional on the green and 2 putted for bogie - even par after 7!

I then double bogied the next 3 holes! I 3-putted 8, 4-putted 9, and took an unplayable lie penalty on 10 followed by a poor chip. I finished the last 8 holes with 1 more birdie, 3 pars and 4 bogies - a 9-over 81 finish, making for my second best finish at Cypress Ridge Golf Course ever!

My net score of 70 turned out to be the 2nd best net score for the day - a windy and cold day that challenged everyone, resulting in some higher than normal scores. I actually enjoyed the weather and played one of my best rounds. The cold wind actually made for a beautiful day with great visibility creating distant ocean views from several holes.

Needless to say, I was elated to learn that I squeaked out a top finish even after my streak of 3 double bogies!

However, a few minutes after learning I was 'in the money', I found out that my cart partner told the league director that I hit my FOURTH putt on the ninth hole while the ball was still moving! First off, I honestly don't remember doing so, but, being my first tournament, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and agreed to be disqualified.

My decision to get involved in playing tournaments is simply for the experience and to enjoy another aspect of the game. I certainly don't plan to start taking myself or the game too seriously or care about winning any money. However, I was still very discouraged by this news - enough so, I seriously considered just giving up on this idea of playing tournaments. It sure burst my bubble!

I was especially disturbed that this player didn't say anything to me at the time of the supposed infraction! He even signed my scorecard at the end of the round - before breaking this news, and after learning I'd placed well.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure it must have really happened and that my cart partner didn't just make it up. I probably hit the ball just before it came to a stop after being frustrated by missing my 3rd putt - I just don't remember doing it. I'm sure I wasn't too happy with my 4 putts!

Beyond all this, what leaves me most discouraged is that nobody in my group seemed to have much fun. They all shot poorly - my cart partner in particular, shooting 94. He got off to a bad start on the 2nd when his ball got plugged in the sand trap. His game never fully recovered - especially after he hit 3 balls out-of-bounds from the tee on 5. Maybe he was even a little bent out of shape that I was playing so well in my first attempt at playing in a tournament - who knows.

Anyway, after playing golf for nearly a year, he's the first golfer I've ever been paired with that I struggled to enjoy playing with. I don't think he ever broke a smile during the entire round. In my opinion, a player of his level has no business taking the game too seriously!

To rub salt in the wound, another golfer in the group who I really liked, pulled me aside after the round and informed me that I need to learn to play faster! I agreed that I take more time than some over the ball, clearing my mind of any thoughts other than that of the target and intended flight or roll, but I save time by scoping out my next shot while others are shooting or putting, having the right clubs me, not taking extra practice swings, etc. I am VERY aware of time on the course and make every effort to never hold up play.

He was justified in complaining about a slow round, but that resulted from looking for their lost balls and mostly due to the tournament format of choosing from 4 tees, causing the four of us to wait on each other as we hit from 3 and even 4 different tees on the same hole. Due to the fact that this tournament format is known to slow down play, every other group was sent out as a threesome, but we were sent out last - as the only foursome.

After playing over 50 rounds in the past year and playing quite a few of those rounds with a couple of the course's marshalls and even one with the course's Director of Instruction, I've never been told I play slow! Funny, seems to me that the time I took to quiet my mind over each shot and visualize the target sure resulted in a better score than whatever methods they used! And they had the lower handicaps... Argh!

I certainly plan to ask my regular playing partners if anyone else considers my play to be slow. If so, I'll certainly make some changes to speed it up. I just can't help but think these guys were a little frustrated with the whole round and took it out on the newby. On the hand, I'm sure I have some learning to do. I'll be open.

I'll give this one more chance next month and see if anyone else out there is like me - happy to have the opportunity to be playing such a great game on a great course in a great location. And you can bet I won't hit any balls that might still be in motion! Perhaps I should also ask to be paired with the league director so he can evaluate whether I know the rules, play by them and play fast enough ;)

#1. Nobody can tell you that your ball was moving after the round was over. Any infraction must be dealt with on that whole, and the penality must be incurred on that hole. Once your partner wrote down the score....done deal.

#2. Nobody can tell you that your ball was moving if you don't agree. If your partner sees it one way, and you don't see it that way, than "ties goes to the player." If your whole group said it moved, than that's different. Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer disagreed about the flight of Sorenstam's ball when it went over a lateral hazard. Sorenstam won cause she didn't agree and nobody else had an opinion.

#3. You gave up way to easy for being so well placed in the tournament. Nobody plays 50 times in a one year, and then goes off and acts like he's not competitive.

Somethings not right here.

[golfslo]

#1. Nobody can tell you that your ball was moving after the round was over. Any infraction must be dealt with on that whole, and the penality must be incurred on that hole. Once your partner wrote down the score....done deal.

#2. Nobody can tell you that your ball was moving if you don't agree. If your partner sees it one way, and you don't see it that way, than "ties goes to the player." If your whole group said it moved, than that's different. Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer disagreed about the flight of Sorenstam's ball when it went over a lateral hazard. Sorenstam won cause she didn't agree and nobody else had an opinion.

#3. You gave up way to easy for being so well placed in the tournament. Nobody plays 50 times in a one year, and then goes off and acts like he's not competitive.

Somethings not right here.

Regarding #3, I think it's safe to say that my "giving up way to easy" was a direct result of inexperience and not knowing the rules well enough to argue. For instance, I didn't know about #1 and #2 above ;).

Nevertheless, whether I place first or last in these tournaments is of little consequence to me. I joined the Men's Club for the challenge and to meet more local golfers, not to compete with them. I play golf (50+ times a year) for enjoyment - not because I'm competitive.

Golf just happens to come easy to me, I like it, and I want to play to my potential. Tournament play adds another element in testing my ability and skill. From that perspective, I'm competitive - with myself and with the course - but in a non-typeA personality sort of way.

Anyway, the biggest thing I learned from this entire experience was that it's a VERY wise to learn all the intricate details of the USGA rules BEFORE playing in a tournament. At the same time, some of this knowledge can best by obtained simply by playing and learning from mistakes AND from getting all this great feedback from all of you on golfreview.com ;)

[Da Blade]

If you want to see an A**hole up close, play in a tournament, with a 10-12 handicap group. Most of those schmoe's are spoiled little children and are jealous when you beat them. It gets better the better your handicap.

I played in TWO tournaments a few years ago and said "screw this" these guys are idiots. I was arguing with the group on a hole about my supposed rules infraction, they backed down when I recited the rule. I wrote it down on a note to re-confirm for them after it was over and I did,.... They were rude annoying and trying very hard to distract me, I didnt have any fun at all... I ALSO told the biggest jerk while were changing shoe's in the parking lot, we were parked rather close, so I took that private opportunity to remind him how dangerous life can be, I said "now were no longer in the tournament, and were in the parking lot, not many other people around either, ...Dude, in this parking lot anything can happen, I mean anything god only knows what could happen to you ?... I stared into his eyes and he got the picture....It might have been my quiet tone and my throbbing veins in my temples and forehead, but he apologized and told me "aw relax, we always do that to the new guys, we didnt mean any harm" Thing is he and his group of yahoo's never scored below a 90 in their lives, I did similar to what you did, I shot a 81 or something, much better than they, although their "vanity" handicaps put them in my flight.

Reminded me of high school, except now these losers all have big budweiser beer belly's and are a mess in the physical fitness dept. Same guys who hold up play so they can pull out their telescoping water thingie's to pick out drowned balls on the lakes edge....cheap

I did NOT play another tournament for 2 years, until I lowered my handicap to a 6 and avoided all those jerks altogether. The groups I pair up with now, are real gentlemen and we have a blast ! The competition is still very much there, but there is a certain respect amongst the better players towards each other.

[trustyrusty]

If you want to see an A**hole up close, play in a tournament, with a 10-12 handicap group. Most of those schmoe's are spoiled little children and are jealous when you beat them. It gets better the better your handicap.

I played in TWO tournaments a few years ago and said "screw this" these guys are idiots. I was arguing with the group on a hole about my supposed rules infraction, they backed down when I recited the rule. I wrote it down on a note to re-confirm for them after it was over and I did,.... They were rude annoying and trying very hard to distract me, I didnt have any fun at all... I ALSO told the biggest jerk while were changing shoe's in the parking lot, we were parked rather close, so I took that private opportunity to remind him how dangerous life can be, I said "now were no longer in the tournament, and were in the parking lot, not many other people around either, ...Dude, in this parking lot anything can happen, I mean anything god only knows what could happen to you ?... I stared into his eyes and he got the picture....It might have been my quiet tone and my throbbing veins in my temples and forehead, but he apologized and told me "aw relax, we always do that to the new guys, we didnt mean any harm" Thing is he and his group of yahoo's never scored below a 90 in their lives, I did similar to what you did, I shot a 81 or something, much better than they, although their "vanity" handicaps put them in my flight.

Reminded me of high school, except now these losers all have big budweiser beer belly's and are a mess in the physical fitness dept. Same guys who hold up play so they can pull out their telescoping water thingie's to pick out drowned balls on the lakes edge....cheap

I did NOT play another tournament for 2 years, until I lowered my handicap to a 6 and avoided all those jerks altogether. The groups I pair up with now, are real gentlemen and we have a blast ! The competition is still very much there, but there is a certain respect amongst the better players towards each other.

seems like just the opposite in my area...vanity handicaps would be nice. guys around here claim to be 12 handicaps and shoot 70's in all tourneys...buncha sandbaggers. I gave a guy 4 strokes in a match play tourney once, and he finished me off pretty quickly...let's just say he shot 35 to my 38 on the front, and he was supposedly a 10 handicap. he also went birdie, par, par, birdie to start off the back...I wanted to see if he could shoot in the 60's, but our "match" obviously didn't make it to 18...

[golfslo]

just a follow up... thanks to many of your replies, I gave tournament play another try today.

Not only did I get grouped with a great group of golfers this time, I played my 2nd best round at this course ever - shooting a 79. Most amazing is that this score came with 3 3-putts and 4 strokes taken in a single bunker! My 79 (68 net) won the best-net score - and with no DQ's.

They guys in my group couldn't believe the experience I had in my 1st tournament, but agreed that if anyone in the men's club would pull this, it would be they guy that did. I have to admit, I kind of enjoyed being in the group behind this guy today - watching him hit OB on 7 and shoot another poor round with a 93 (we're both 11 handicaps on this course).

Anyway, thanks to everyone for all the great feedback after my discouraging experience last month!! Looking forward to the next one ;)

p.s. a 2-handicap golfer in my group told me that I'm in no way even close to being a slow player! I'm not sure where that comment came from last month.

[Benguk]

Congrats Richard! Thats great! Comming back and doing well like that must have felt great.

[bethpage caddy]

Great job man! What kind of tournaments are these? Club tourneys? They sound like a real good time..

I won't even go into how jealous I am of you being able to play at this time of year. I'm under two feet of snow!

[golfslo]

Thanks benguk and bethpage... yes, these are "club" tournaments, put on by the Cypress Ridge Golf Course Men's Club - one each month.

If you were watching any of the AT&T tourney in Pebble Beach, you got an idea of how great the weather is here right now! San Luis Obispo is about 2 1/2 hours south of Monterey... which was nice for Oberhoser, who grew up here had a lot of fans from visiting PB.

You'll just have to get that snowboard or ice skates out and make me jealous ;)