Golfer out of line, or am I?

[dotti105]

Our lanai which faces Pinellas place and across Pinellas Place is on the 8th green of Killdeer. Very close. It is fun to watch the golfers come up to the green, park their carts and play the green.

Occasionally some one hit the ball into the street and even more rarely into our yard. All fun to watch as the golfer retrieves his ball and play the green from the curb on the Killdeer side of the street.

But recently, as we were sitting on our Lanai, someone hit it into our yard, and came across the street into our yard to get his ball and instead of taking it back across Pinellas Place, he proceeded to hit the ball from our yard as we watched.

After his swing, I called out to ask him to please not hit the ball from our yard "next time" and he replied "I just trimmed your grass for you". Yea, a nice divot.

We have a neighbor who retrieves all the balls hit into their yard and the golfer is out of luck. We haven't done that, but have found several in our yard. And previously when hit into our yard the golfer will come over, pick up the ball and play it from the curb on the Killdeer side.

It was my understanding that if the ball is hit into a yard, the golfer surrenders the ball. I don't really want to start collecting balls, but I was really surprised that the golfer actually hit the ball from our lawn.

Poor golf etiquette or am I being out of line??

[Rollie]

Golfer should not have played from your yard. Should have picked up his ball and taken a penalty.

Rollie

[Ohiogirl]

terrible etiquette. I usually let things slide too, but if this guy has done it once, he will do it again, on yours or anyone else's yard. Cannot believe he even did it, let alone while you were watching!

This is actually so bad (it's destructive to someone else's property) that I would try to flag down the next passing ambassador and report, with approx. time and color of golf cart and # of players in group so they can try to figure out who it is.

[golf2140]

Didn't know the rules. Ball was out of bounds, go back to original spot and hit again.

[buggyone]

If the ball is clearly in your yard and not just at the edge of it, you have the choice of picking up the ball and going back into your house; picking up the ball and handing it to the golfer with a wry comment as to his golfing skill; or tossing it back onto the course.

One time when a ball came into my yard when I was outside, I stood on top of it. The golfer asked if I had seen a ball come near me. I said I had not and he actually looked in my yard before driving off. I kept the ball.

Very few balls come into my yard due to the location of the tee boxes and protective pine trees but some duffers still do it. I have never had a golfer attempt to hit from my yard. If I saw one that was about to do it, I would definitely TELL him not to try it but to move it to the course. Hitting from across the street back onto the course is ridiculous and should have been reported to the ambassador or pro shop.

[CFrance]

I would pick up the golf ball and throw it out of your yard so he won't trespass or damage your lawn.

[Barefoot]

After his swing, I called out to ask him to please not hit the ball from our yard "next time" and he replied "I just trimmed your grass for you". Yea, a nice divot.


He should not have played the ball from your property.
But worse, he was being a real smart a$$ when he replied to your reasonable request.
I'd like to believe that most golfers are respectful of private property.

[Carl in Tampa]

I had dinner last night on the back deck of a Villa which is on a golf course. It was near dusk and the number of golfers was dwindling, but I still found it annoying to have the golf carts passing within a few feet of where I was sitting. I'm told it it much worse through the day.

But, to the point of your post, I have met people here in TV who have sold their homes abutting golf courses because of the kind of thing that you describe. It is poor golf etiquette, and poor manners too.

We met one lady who collects the golf balls that land in her yard. She said that in a ten year period she had collected 1000 balls.

I believe that if I were in your place, every time I saw a golf ball in the yard I would immediately go out and pick it up and throw it into the street. I wouldn't be bothered by having the golfer argue that he wants his ball back (and I would toss it where it would be a difficult lie for his next shot.)

:wave:

[DonH57]

Not only very poor golf etiquette but very rude and lacking of common manners. If he's plowing up people's yards he has no business with clubs in his hands.

[RErmer]

I live on the 3rd hole of Glenview/Fox Run, and we occasionally get balls in our yard. Being a golfer, I actually made a yard sign that said "feel free to retrieve your ball" because I don't think it hurts anything to go pick up a ball. Anyone who lives on a course is, IMHO, accepting that balls will appear in the yard. That said, No one should hit a ball from your yard, the other poster was correct that out of bounds (your yard) is a stroke and distance penalty. The golfer's actions and comment were entirely unwarranted.

[jbfleck]

he needs that ball shoved up his ***

[dewilson58]

What a jerk. Time to have a remote starter for your sprinklers.

[dewilson58]

Just say this......



ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man has been charged with attempted murder after throwing a pan of hot grease and grits at a man who was on his front porch.

Edward Holley told investigators that he had gotten into an argument with Darryl Blacknell on Tuesday night. When he saw Blacknell on his porch the next day, he says he took the hot pan from his stove and threw it on the man.

Orlando police say Holley told them they should just arrest him because "next time I am going to kill him."

Investigators say Blacknell is in the hospital with second- and third-degree burns. He told them he was playing cards with Holley's cousin when he was attacked.

Holley remains in the Orange County Jail, charged with attempted second-degree murder. Records do not list an attorney for him.


:22yikes::22yikes::22yikes:

[Chi-Town]

That guy must abide by the rule "play it where it lays". What an idiot. But one must keep in mind how nice it is to be so close to a fairway that the occasional ball finds its way into your yard.

[dotti105]

Thanks all! I was just a bit miffed. I really was not expecting him to actually play the ball, I should have spoken up sooner. But his wise a$$ remark when I asked him to please not play from our yard next time just sort of left me speechless.

Then I thought maybe I was being a grouch. Glad to know I wasn't the one out of line!

[dotti105]

I don't mind a player retrieving his ball. Like the sign idea. Should I add "please don't play it where it lies" or is his behavior really uncommon?

[Carl in Tampa]

terrible etiquette. I usually let things slide too, but if this guy has done it once, he will do it again, on yours or anyone else's yard. Cannot believe he even did it, let alone while you were watching!

This is actually so bad (it's destructive to someone else's property) that I would try to flag down the next passing ambassador and report, with approx. time and color of golf cart and # of players in group so they can try to figure out who it is.

This struck me as great advice.

I would add, take a photo of him in your yard, particularly if he looks like he intends to play the ball from there.

Give the photo to an Ambassador and ask that the player be identified and reprimanded.

:gc:

[karostay]

Don't take it personally but unfortunately it's the society for which many have evolved into.You experience it everyday in the Villages

[The O's]

Maybe you should hit it out of your yard, back toward the tee. He would have to play it from where it lies.

[rubicon]

dotti I don't get that many golf balls in my yard owing to it proximity to this fiarway. However occasionally I do and a few years back not only did the golfer hit from my yard he actually drove his golf cart on my property.

I immediately called the golf shop related the circumstances , description of cart etc.

Factually The Villages bylaws explain that golfers not retrieve their balls as they are trespassing on private property. To quote one yard sign I saw "my yard, my ball"

[Goldwingnut]

Have some fun with it, keep a club handy in your back yard. When one lands in your yard go out and hit it back, and make sure the golfer is watching you hit it.
Or take a marker and write a nice note on the ball then throw it out of your yard.

Word will spread quick on where not to hit the ball.

At some courses a private yard is treated the same as a water hazard, if you can retrieve it without stepping in the yard you can have it back, if not, the ball is lost and you take the penalty.

[dillywho]

He was rude and wrong on all counts. Not you. Fortunately, most golfers know and do better than that.

[CFrance]

Have some fun with it, keep a club handy in your back yard. When one lands in your yard go out and hit it back, and make sure the golfer is watching you hit it.
Or take a marker and write a nice note on the ball then throw it out of your yard.

Word will spread quick on where not to hit the ball.

At some courses a private yard is treated the same as a water hazard, if you can retrieve it without stepping in the yard you can have it back, if not, the ball is lost and you take the penalty.
Good one!:thumbup:

[justjim]

Golfer should have hit a provisional ball and when he found his original ball out of bounds and in your yard he should have played his provisional ball and left his original ball in your yard. The penalty for the golfer is one stroke.

Unfortunately, too many golfers in TV lack golf etiquette and knowledge of the rules. "All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf." Section 1 of The USGA Rules of Golf

[xkeowner]

I would buy an air horn and blast it when the golfer reached the top of his/her back swing. The golfer should get the message LOUD and clear.

[Gerald]

People should read the rules of golf. First you can not go on private property to get a ball. Second the golfer who does that is simply saying he or she does not care about anyone else's rights. Most are looking for a fight when they enter private property. Finally the golf course does not care about any thing done to private property. Many have complained all have been laughed at for complaining.there have been fights about exactly what happened to you. Several ended with a person going to the hospital. I will not be surprised when something worse happens. There are rules but never inforced

[SoccerCoach]

Dottie105, You are oh so right to have spoken to him. A GOLFER? No simply a HACKER OUT of BOUNDS. Some folks grow OLD, but do not GROW UP!

[Ohiogirl]

Nobody tries to hit it into someone's yard. Even good golfers sometimes hit an errant shot. And a lot of us aren't good golfers. I think it's nice, and friendly, to put up a sign saying to feel free to retrieve your ball, but you don't have to. I also understand why some don't want people trampling thru their yard all the time.

I don't understand why some homeowners would stand on a ball, or hit or throw it far away. What's with that?

I think that when you have a lot on the golf course, you should expect some balls in your yard/lanai, etc. Maybe non-golfers who buy golf-course lots are surprised by balls in their yard, but they should have anticipated this. Plantings can help divert them from your house.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

As Golf1240 said, the ball was "Out of Bounds". Out of Bounds is described in the Rules of Golf as any area outside of the confines of the golf course and any other ground on which play is prohibited.

Play is prohibited from your yard by not only the Rules of golf, but also by common sense.

He should have played another ball from the spot that he last played from and added a penalty stroke to his score.

[buggyone]

It sounds to me as though quite a few did not read the entire post by OP. She stated her house is across Pinellas Place from the 8th green. The duffer hit the ball across the street, walked across the street and over to her yard, and hit back to the course - ACROSS Pinellas Place! Totally stupid.

It is not as though her house is on the side of the course.

[rjn5656]

I have hit into yards, usually go over and retrieve my ball, and apologize to the homeowner if they are around. They are always pretty good about it.

[CFrance]

Some people have no "couth."

[scottiee]

You are nice he is not. Whats worst he knew better.

[Cisco Kid]

Replace it with a fake exploding golf ball.


Man pranked with fake golf ball - YouTube (http://youtu.be/e_9ZeyZ6ybk)

[asianthree]

Husband wanted golf view..I didn't want hundreds of people coming by the house every day some with this attude.. So did not buy on the course

[OCsun]

Nobody tries to hit it into someone's yard. Even good golfers sometimes hit an errant shot. And a lot of us aren't good golfers. I think it's nice, and friendly, to put up a sign saying to feel free to retrieve your ball, but you don't have to. I also understand why some don't want people trampling thru their yard all the time.

I don't understand why some homeowners would stand on a ball, or hit or throw it far away. What's with that?

I think that when you have a lot on the golf course, you should expect some balls in your yard/lanai, etc. Maybe non-golfers who buy golf-course lots are surprised by balls in their yard, but they should have anticipated this. Plantings can help divert them from your house.


I live on a golf course and I agree with you. I would prefer they not hit the ball from my yard, but hey, it's just grass.
Life is good! :thumbup:

[Cisco Kid]

If It Ain't One Thing,It's Another,or dog poop.:a20::a20:

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Unfortunately, we have a lot of uneducated golfers in TV. This is not unique to TV, it happens everywhere. This may happen on occasion and you can keep doing what you did or fighting it.

If it were me, I'd have some kind of sign made up for my yard saying something like;

"This is private property. You may enter to retrieve your ball, but play is prohibited from this property."

It won't stop everyone, but it will stop the vast majority of them.

[2BNTV]

If It Ain't One Thing,It's Another,or dog poop.:a20::a20:

Maybe she should have put poop on his bal,l and then he wouldn't want to play it where it lies. :D

Seriously, this guy sounds like a jerk who takes himself too seriously.

You acted with class and he didn't.

[George Bieniaszek]

I would buy an air horn and blast it when the golfer reached the top of his/her back swing. The golfer should get the message LOUD and clear.

Best advice in this post :BigApplause:

If you play golf, you will hit an errant shot. When I do and it lands on a homeowner's property, I will go over and ask permission to enter their property and retrieve my ball if the owners are outside. In every case, the home owners were very pleasant and thanked me for asking permission. If they were not home, I would look to see if it was easily retrievable, if not, I kiss it goodbye.

I NEVER played a ball on their property. That just shows how class-less the golfer was.

[perrjojo]

We do not live on a golf course in TV but have lived on 2 courses for a total of 20 years. In all that time we only had one really rude golfer. If a golfer played from your yard he was out of bounds. He was violating golf rules. He was cheating on his score. He was trespassing. Most of all, he was a jerk. You were NOT wrong.

[TheVillageChicken]

Is this the guy?

http://www.dvdizzy.com/images/a-c/caddyshack-11.jpg

[Topspinmo]

:censored:I NEVER look for or retrieve ball I hit out of bounds period. I take the penalty and hit where it crossed the out of bounds line. THAT is the rules. You don't waste time looking or retrieving Balls out of bounds slowing down play. But, some so called seasoned golfers think they are on the pro tour. Not only do NOT chase balls off the golf course I would be too embarrass to go on private property mulling around looking for golf ball. If I needed balls that bad I would buy the water balls someone has fished out of the ponds. Heck it I was that bad golfer in may improve my Game. :censored:

[TheVillageChicken]

:censored:I NEVER look for or retrieve ball I hit out of bounds period. I take the penalty and hit where it crossed the out of bounds line. THAT is the rules. You don't waste time looking or retrieving Balls out of bounds slowing down play. But, some so called seasoned golfers think they are on the pro tour. Not only do NOT chase balls off the golf course I would be too embarrass to go on private property mulling around looking for golf ball. If I needed balls that bad I would buy the water balls someone has fished out of the ponds. Heck it I was that bad golfer in may improve my Game. :censored:

That is not the rule. OB is a stroke and distance penalty. You have to go back to where you struck the OB ball.

[LndLocked]

It was a bad golf hat trick:

Hit from out of bounds
damaged your property
rude and flippant remark

A couple of months ago I was walking back from the postal center along a street that borders a green. A golfer hooked his approach shot and it went out of bounds, across the cart path and into the road, bouncing right at me (I was on the far side of the road from the green). I caught the ball and just as I started to toss it back across the street onto the grass between the street and the cart path ... Captain Hook yells at me that I "should have let it go so he could play it from there"

I looked at him in amazement and then as I fired his ball down the street I said ... "play it from there, that is where it was headed!" and gave him the single digit salute. His ball was last seen bouncing toward BVB.

I am pretty sure that Captain Hooks real name was ...... Richard.

[Steve & Deanna]

My personal feeling is that if your golf ball goes onto someone's property, you've lost the ball and take the penalty when you drop another ball. That's what I would do. The guy that played his ball of your lawn is......quite ballsy.....excuse the pun.

[perrjojo]

It was a bad golf hat trick:

Hit from out of bounds
damaged your property
rude and flippant remark

A couple of months ago I was walking back from the postal center along a street that borders a green. A golfer hooked his approach shot and it went out of bounds, across the cart path and into the road, bouncing right at me (I was on the far side of the road from the green). I caught the ball and just as I started to toss it back across the street onto the grass between the street and the cart path ... Captain Hook yells at me that I "should have let it go so he could play it from there"

I looked at him in amazement and then as I fired his ball down the street I said ... "play it from there, that is where it was headed!" and gave him the single digit salute. His ball was last seen bouncing toward BVB.

I am pretty sure that Captain Hooks real name was ...... Richard.

Good for you. Some people really shouldn't be playing golf!

[CFrance]

It was a bad golf hat trick:

Hit from out of bounds
damaged your property
rude and flippant remark

A couple of months ago I was walking back from the postal center along a street that borders a green. A golfer hooked his approach shot and it went out of bounds, across the cart path and into the road, bouncing right at me (I was on the far side of the road from the green). I caught the ball and just as I started to toss it back across the street onto the grass between the street and the cart path ... Captain Hook yells at me that I "should have let it go so he could play it from there"

I looked at him in amazement and then as I fired his ball down the street I said ... "play it from there, that is where it was headed!" and gave him the single digit salute. His ball was last seen bouncing toward BVB.

I am pretty sure that Captain Hooks real name was ...... Richard.
I am not a golfer, so please forgive my ignorance. But could you tell me what that means?

[mrfixit]

A couple of months ago >> ...<< Captain Hook yells at me that I "should have let it go so he could play it from there"

I looked at him in amazement and then as I fired his ball down the street I said ... "play it from there, that is where it was headed!" and gave him the single digit salute. His ball was last seen bouncing toward BVB.

I am pretty sure that Captain Hooks real name was ...... RICHARD.

Betting that BOTH of his friends call him DICK.

[CFrance]

Betting that BOTH of his friends call him DICK.
OH! Heh heh... I'm a little dense today.:D

[jimmy D]

Once the ball is in your yard. it is your ball not theirs. They should not walk on your yard without your permission. Playing from your yard , Divot or No divot is a NO NO.

[ajbrown]

Dotti, you have every right to be upset. What happened to you seems crazy to me.

Reading this whole thread, the only clarification I would add is someone who does not know how to proceed after hitting a ball out of bounds (or even worse actually hits a ball from out of bounds) is NOT a golfer...

Call them whatever you will but a golfer would take the time to learn some basic rules... for goodness sake there are only 34 all together in a tiny little book.

[Birdie Dreamer]

Dotti, you have every right to be upset. What happened to you seems crazy to me.

Reading this whole thread, the only clarification I would add is someone who does not know how to proceed after hitting a ball out of bounds (or even worse actually hits a ball from out of bounds) is NOT a golfer...

Call them whatever you will but a golfer would take the time to learn some basic rules... for goodness sake there are only 34 all together in a tiny little book.

It is even worse than you described when one factors in that this guy had to cross a busy road ( Pinellas Place ) and a sidewalk to play the shot back across the road before giving the OP attitude. Do you think he even checked to see if any cars were coming?

[ajbrown]

It is even worse than you described when one factors in that this guy had to cross a busy road ( Pinellas Place ) and a sidewalk to play the shot back across the road before giving the OP attitude. Do you think he even checked to see if any cars were coming?

Understood. I also wanted to be clear in my statement about being a golfer. When I use that term it has nothing to do with HOW well you play. I know and play with beginners that IMO are golfers. They may not break 120, but they have taken the time to understand etiquette and the basic rules and are a pleasure to play with.

If I was in a group with a guy/girl that was playing a ball from across the street I would prevent him/her from doing that even if I just met him/her.

Maybe a phrase like: Yo Billy.... you nuts :D? I need to work on that a bit...

[Topspinmo]

That is not the rule. OB is a stroke and distance penalty. You have to go back to where you struck the OB ball.

remember the famous Tiger Woods second shot (not Tee off shot) that when left out of bounds and into the green murky water pond. The Commentator's was questioning if he when back far enough where the ball cross the out of bounds line. He dropped at the edge of the out of bounds line and hit the shot from there not going back to where he hit the second shot?????? So if that's the rule shouldn't he of been disqualified?? Just wondering the cow patches I played on that was the rule, but maybe it was prevent slow play???

[dotti105]

Glad to know that he was clearly out of line.

And, yes, for clarification, we are across Pinellas Place from the green. He did hit it across the road to the green from 10 ft into our yard!

Takes all kinds I guess!!

[Russ_Boston]

remember the famous Tiger Woods second shot (not Tee off shot) that when left out of bounds and into the green murky water pond. The Commentator's was questioning if he when back far enough where the ball cross the out of bounds line. He dropped at the edge of the out of bounds line and hit the shot from there not going back to where he hit the second shot?????? So if that's the rule shouldn't he of been disqualified?? Just wondering the cow patches I played on that was the rule, but maybe it was prevent slow play???


Don't remember the exact shot you are referring to but:


Tiger's ball must have been crossing a hazard line and NOT an OB line. If it were a hazard line then you have a few options depending on red or yellow (not going to get into those here). If OB then there is only 1 option: play from original spot with 1 stroke penalty (assuming he didn't hit a provisional ball thinking he might be OB).

[BarryRX]

remember the famous Tiger Woods second shot (not Tee off shot) that when left out of bounds and into the green murky water pond. The Commentator's was questioning if he when back far enough where the ball cross the out of bounds line. He dropped at the edge of the out of bounds line and hit the shot from there not going back to where he hit the second shot?????? So if that's the rule shouldn't he of been disqualified?? Just wondering the cow patches I played on that was the rule, but maybe it was prevent slow play???
That was the 2013 Masters when he hit the flag stick and his ball caromed into the water hazard. His ball was not out of bounds, but was in a water hazard. He had 2 options, to play the ball as closely as possible to where he played the original shot from or to take a point where the ball crossed the hazard and keep that point between him and the pin and go back as far as he'd like. He did neither of those and was correctly penalized for it.

[Topspinmo]

Chicken, BarryRX, and Russ thanks for the correction. I don't think that is the shot I was referring to I clearly remember it going far left and splashing down in the water, but been 3 or 4 years ago and I can't remember. I do remember the water hazard was covered with Green moss and when the ball hit it made big clearing in the murky green covering. IMO in regular daily play makes no sense to back peddle and slow play down unless your in tournament or playing for Sawbuck But that me, I try to keep up with the group and not cause backup.

[Russ_Boston]

Chicken, BarryRX, and Russ thanks for the correction. I don't think that is the shot I was referring to I clearly remember it going far left and splashing down in the water, but been 3 or 4 years ago and I can't remember. I do remember the water hazard was covered with Green moss and when the ball hit it made big clearing in the murky green covering. IMO in regular daily play makes no sense to back peddle and slow play down unless your in tournament or playing for Sawbuck But that me, I try to keep up with the group and not cause backup.


Yes, the rules can be bent if you're just out for practice etc. But a refresher on the rules is never a bad thing. And keeping up pace is never a bad thing either:)

[TheVillageChicken]

Chicken, BarryRX, and Russ thanks for the correction. I don't think that is the shot I was referring to I clearly remember it going far left and splashing down in the water, but been 3 or 4 years ago and I can't remember. I do remember the water hazard was covered with Green moss and when the ball hit it made big clearing in the murky green covering. IMO in regular daily play makes no sense to back peddle and slow play down unless your in tournament or playing for Sawbuck But that me, I try to keep up with the group and not cause backup.

That is why we have the provisional ball rule.

[The Mountaineer]

We'll be coming down to a rental in January through March 2015. It's embarrassing enough to hit a ball out of bounds. I would be thrilled if the land's owner gave me permission to retrieve my ball and the play the next shot from a legal spot. So the idiot was stupid twice, for hitting the ball off your land, and damaging it, and them giving you a smart alec answer. I'll try to keep it in the fairway, but my West Virginia mamma taught me better manners than this oaf.

[Sanibel7]

I have hit into yards, usually go over and retrieve my ball, and apologize to the homeowner if they are around. They are always pretty good about it.

Its in the rule book not to retrieve golf balls on private property that is considered tresspassing. How would you like someone walking around in your backyard?

[TheVillageChicken]

Its in the rule book not to retrieve golf balls on private property that is considered tresspassing. How would you like someone walking around in your backyard?

That is not in the rule book, but it is common courtesy.

[Bogie Shooter]

People should read the rules of golf. First you can not go on private property to get a ball. Second the golfer who does that is simply saying he or she does not care about anyone else's rights. Most are looking for a fight when they enter private property. Finally the golf course does not care about any thing done to private property. Many have complained all have been laughed at for complaining.there have been fights about exactly what happened to you. Several ended with a person going to the hospital. I will not be surprised when something worse happens. There are rules but never inforced

Golf course doesn't care.........this is hard to believe.
all have been laughed at.................this is hard to believe.
fights..............this is hard to believe.
going to the hospital...............assault this is hard to believe.
never enforced............this is hard to believe.
Where are you getting all this information?

[Bogie Shooter]

It was a bad golf hat trick:

Hit from out of bounds
damaged your property
rude and flippant remark

A couple of months ago I was walking back from the postal center along a street that borders a green. A golfer hooked his approach shot and it went out of bounds, across the cart path and into the road, bouncing right at me (I was on the far side of the road from the green). I caught the ball and just as I started to toss it back across the street onto the grass between the street and the cart path ... Captain Hook yells at me that I "should have let it go so he could play it from there"

I looked at him in amazement and then as I fired his ball down the street I said ... "play it from there, that is where it was headed!" and gave him the single digit salute. His ball was last seen bouncing toward BVB.

I am pretty sure that Captain Hooks real name was ...... Richard.

single digit salute................that is so adult.

[robertj1954]

Golfer certainly lacked proper golf etiquette and manners (which in my view) is rare amongst our golfing community. Out of bound white stakes are posted to show the boundary of the golf course. You are trespassing when outside the golf course.

If this occurs again, have the starter shack phone number on your phone list. Call them report the cart color and location. The Ambassador will address it by educating the golfer on the rules of play.

[ajbrown]

Chicken, BarryRX, and Russ thanks for the correction. I don't think that is the shot I was referring to I clearly remember it going far left and splashing down in the water, but been 3 or 4 years ago and I can't remember. I do remember the water hazard was covered with Green moss and when the ball hit it made big clearing in the murky green covering. IMO in regular daily play makes no sense to back peddle and slow play down unless your in tournament or playing for Sawbuck But that me, I try to keep up with the group and not cause backup.

2013 Players Championship -- Tiger Woods' drop at 14th deemed legit by PGA Tour - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/9268417/2013-players-championship-tiger-woods-drop-14th-deemed-legit-pga-tour)

Unless I am in some kind of tournament or match, I have no issue just dropping where it went out of bounds. The only thing I would possibly affect is my own handicap. Since I can only take double bogeys anyway (for handicap) that is likely what I will get after being OB, so no harm, no foul :ohdear:

My worst OB was in some tournament in MA at Foxborough CC. I do not know remember what the tournament was ... possibly trying to qualify for MA AM or something...

Third hole was a par 3 about 190 yards. There was a backup on the tee. When I finally hit, I hit a lousy block fade to the right of the bunker. My caddy said we can get up and down from there (he was a good friend and I accepted his lie, but would have been very pleased with 4. In short we got there, no ball to be found, we used the whole 5 minutes looking as it was a pretty open area....

I then took the longest walk in golf; back to the tee where two other groups already waiting. That walk took forever... I did make a good 5 :clap2:

PS. Being honest at the risk of starting a thread riot, I will retrieve my ball from someone's yard in TV. The way I handle it is I look for my ball from the course. I do not enter the yard unless I see my ball out in the open and would not do any damage retrieving it. If the person is out, I say hello, make a self deprecating joke about my game and ask if they mind me grabbing the ball. I have never run into a homeowner that is mad at me or denies me access.

[CFrance]

Let me ask a non-golfer's question. Why is it important to get that particular ball back? Why not leave it and use another ball? That way you're not trespassing nor putting the homeowner in the dodgy situation of having to decide if you can trespass.

[The Mountaineer]

The moral of this thread: There are always people whose behavior is out of bounds, even in such a marvelous place as The Villages, perhaps the most unique place I have visited and I've been to 50 countries, 2 U.S. territories and 43 states. We loved it so much during our two weeks in December 2013 that we'll coming back for three months (January-March) in 2015. We're renting on Rainbow Boulevard. If you're a Mountaineer, stop by an say "Howdy!"

[ajbrown]

Let me ask a non-golfer's question. Why is it important to get that particular ball back? Why not leave it and use another ball? That way you're not trespassing nor putting the homeowner in the dodgy situation of having to decide if you can trespass.

Me personally, because they cost $4 :shocked:. An analogy...I think of it a $5 bill. If it blew out of my cart and I could see it in someone's yard (front or back), I would step in their yard and retrieve it, if I could do so with doing ANY damage.

[DonH57]

2013 Players Championship -- Tiger Woods' drop at 14th deemed legit by PGA Tour - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/9268417/2013-players-championship-tiger-woods-drop-14th-deemed-legit-pga-tour)

Unless I am in some kind of tournament or match, I have no issue just dropping where it went out of bounds. The only thing I would possibly affect is my own handicap. Since I can only take double bogeys anyway (for handicap) that is likely what I will get after being OB, so no harm, no foul :ohdear:

My worst OB was in some tournament in MA at Foxborough CC. I do not know remember what the tournament was ... possibly trying to qualify for MA AM or something...

Third hole was a par 3 about 190 yards. There was a backup on the tee. When I finally hit, I hit a lousy block fade to the right of the bunker. My caddy said we can get up and down from there (he was a good friend and I accepted his lie, but would have been very pleased with 4. In short we got there, no ball to be found, we used the whole 5 minutes looking as it was a pretty open area....

I then took the longest walk in golf; back to the tee where two other groups already waiting. That walk took forever... I did make a good 5 :clap2:

PS. Being honest at the risk of starting a thread riot, I will retrieve my ball from someone's yard in TV. The way I handle it is I look for my ball from the course. I do not enter the yard unless I see my ball out in the open and would not do any damage retrieving it. If the person is out, I say hello, make a self deprecating joke about my game and ask if they mind me grabbing the ball. I have never run into a homeowner that is mad at me or denies me access.

I have been fortunate as a new golfer not to have one of my balls go in someone's yard. I've had them go everywhere else!. I too see nothing wrong with asking the homeowner if I may retrieve the ball.

[CFrance]

Me personally, because they cost $4 :shocked:. An analogy...I think of it a $5 bill. If it blew out of my cart and I could see it in someone's yard (front or back), I would step in their yard and retrieve it, if I could do so with doing ANY damage.
Fair enough.

[CFrance]

On the same topic as accidently hitting your ball into a yard - what would YOU do if your ball accidently broke a large glass window on a person's golfside lanai - both when they were home and also if no one was home?

Remember that their homeowner insurance will have the standard $500 deductible.
Hoo-boy.:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

[DeanFL]

friendly warning...

[Sanibel7]

That is not in the rule book, but it is common courtesy.

This rule is highlighted in the rule book, read and you will see. It is this ignorance that we are having with golfers and private property. And some that know the rule ignores it because they think they are special. Tresspassing is tresspassing!

[TheVillageChicken]

If the etiquette section of Golfing the Villages is what you refer to, it is not a rule book. The rule book is published by the USGA, and can be found online. If you can find any reference to the subject of retrieving an OB ball from private property in The Rules of Golf, please show me.

[CFrance]

That is nitpicking. If TV golf tells you not to trespass to retrieve a golf ball, it's still a rule.

[Russ_Boston]

If the etiquette section of Golfing the Villages is what you refer to, it is not a rule book. The rule book is published by the USGA, and can be found online. If you can find any reference to the subject of retrieving an OB ball from private property in The Rules of Golf, please show me.


On that subject you might remember a famous shot played by Greg Norman (I think the course was in Colorado). He went so far right (unusual for Norman since he is one of the straightest drivers to ever play the game) that it went over a strand of trees and into the front yard of a home (on the course). Since there were no OB markers the ball was in play if Greg wanted it to be. So he took his shot from the yard and over the trees and almost hit the green and went on to make a par save. The tv announcers made it quite clear that the ball was not OB. Granted most of the time we play for the fun of it or practice so I can't imagine anyone hitting from any private property even if not marked as OB.

[TheVillageChicken]

That is nitpicking. If TV golf tells you not to trespass to retrieve a golf ball, it's still a rule.

First, I am an engineer, so, of course I pick nits. I wouldn't enter anyone's yard, and I think the guy who did is a jerk, but please don't pull the "If TV golfs tells you not too...it is still a rule" card unless you treat all "rules" with the same respect and repair every ball mark you make, fill every divot, enter bunkers from the low side, rake bunker every time, drive cart at 90 degrees to fairway, never play a mulligan, etc. I have been playing the game for 63 years, and have observed that most folks will follow a rule of the game much more often than they will comply with requests by the local committee, and in my opinion there is a distinction between the two.

[kittygilchrist]

I've never seen a golfer NOT go into our yards to get their ball, but I've found a few that hit the house and apparently there was some shame or fear of blame. I have been consistently told anything by TV golf managers that that retrieving on private property is officially forbidden.

I'm going to raise a stink here and surmise that some of the same people who want their rights respected to private property with regard to animal toileting are the same ones trampling my flowers to retrieve their missing little balls.

Toileting your dog in others' yards, regardless of easements, is also officially forbidden according to the authorities. So these two issues will continue to be a war zone between people do right and people who get away with wrongs.

Just try not to be hypocritical. It irks me. The issue is not about how much a ball costs, it's about how much your integrity is worth.

[buggyone]

On that subject you might remember a famous shot played by Greg Norman (I think the course was in Colorado). He went so far right (unusual for Norman since he is one of the straightest drivers to ever play the game) that it went over a strand of trees and into the front yard of a home (on the course). Since there were no OB markers the ball was in play if Greg wanted it to be. So he took his shot from the yard and over the trees and almost hit the green and went on to make a par save. The tv announcers made it quite clear that the ball was not OB. Granted most of the time we play for the fun of it or practice so I can't imagine anyone hitting from any private property even if not marked as OB.

Interesting story - but was the yard that Norman's ball landed in ACROSS THE STREET from the golf course? That was the whole gist of the OP's story was the golfer came across the street and HIT the ball back onto the course ACROSS the street!

[kittygilchrist]

Have some fun with it, keep a club handy in your back yard. When one lands in your yard go out and hit it back, and make sure the golfer is watching you hit it.
Or take a marker and write a nice note on the ball then throw it out of your yard.

Word will spread quick on where not to hit the ball.

At some courses a private yard is treated the same as a water hazard, if you can retrieve it without stepping in the yard you can have it back, if not, the ball is lost and you take the penalty.

Wow, GWN, I never thought of that. Is there a rule against hitting balls from your OWN yard onto the course? I'll bet there isn't!
What about that, Nitpicker? Can you research that one? I like that idea...heheh.

[Russ_Boston]

I've never seen a golfer NOT go into our yards to get their ball, but I've found a few that hit the house and apparently there was some shame or fear of blame. I have been consistently told anything by TV golf managers that that retrieving on private property is officially forbidden.

I'm going to raise a stink here and surmise that some of the same people who want their rights respected to private property with regard to animal toileting are the same ones trampling my flowers to retrieve their missing little balls.

Toileting your dog in others' yards, regardless of easements, is also officially forbidden according to the authorities. So these two issues will continue to be a war zone between people do right and people who get away with wrongs.

Just try not to be hypocritical. It irks me. The issue is not about how much a ball costs, it's about how much your integrity is worth.


First: Nobody should be trampling your flowers - that's crazy.
Second: People are complaining about toileting on the yard (for the most part) not walking on it.


Personally I only get a ball if I can reach with a club. I don't walk past the white stakes. If someone on their lanai invites me (or they have a sign) to get the ball then I will. Don't get me started on golfers who ignore the green top red markers which FORBID any entry!



But the OP was talking about hitting a ball from the yard and that's a very good analogy to the animal toileting situation. Both are just wrong.

[TomW]

The golfer was probably too dumb to get a clue about his many errors in this situation. If I lived on a golf course I would prefer that people get their balls out of my yard so my lawn service doesn't run over them and take out a window. Playing a ball out of someone's yard ought to be an automatic $500 fine and 6 month suspension from GMS play if the idiot can be identified.

[dotti105]

I have had fun following this post! I certainly never thought it would bring so many replies and such strong opinions.

I did feel the golfer was in the wrong, and a bit of a smart a$$ when I asked him not to do that again and he made the "just trimming your grass" comment.

I will be more observant next time , if there is a next time, and will address him pre-emptively.

It is nice to know that there are plenty of golfers out there who play with integrity and
follow the rules. I'm hoping this is a one time event, But it least i know how to handle this next time, if there is one!

thanks all

[Miles42]

Pure and simple you never play a ball from some one's yard it is rude and you are trespassing. I will not go into some one's yard to retrieve a ball either.