Golf course rules
 

I had an interesting encounter with an Ambassador today. Our group of 3 let a single play through. Three holes later we were told this is against the rules. The reason she gave was that it messed up their bookkeeping as they didn’t know who was where. Apparently it is more important to keep their bookkeeping straight than to allow a single to play through. Anyone else have this happen to them?

I wonder what book keeping is involved???

Must be quite the challenging job for some...:shocked:

Like any rule if one is allowed not to follow, then soon others will want to as well.
Easier just to enforce and follow the rules.

Yes. Our foursome let a twosome play through as a good gesture so we didn't hold them up. Was told by the ambassador it messes up their system without a clear clarification of what system that was LOL. Other course ambassadors thanked us for doing so. Beats the hell out of me what this bookkeeping business is all about.:popcorn:

They like to keep track of who is on what hole. That is why they ask your "cart color" when you check in. Theoretically, it helps control "pace of play"... Theoretically...

Yes it keeps track of who is where in case of an emergency. Also in your words "theoretically" the pace of play and who is out of position. Most of the time problems with pace is 2 somes and 3 somes playing fast.

Interesting rule, but they won’t hurry anyone to move a little, just a little quicker.

And also, I don't know of any course in the country where a single has any standing whatsoever.

Commonly if you let people play ahead, the people behind you are delayed waiting for 2 groups now in front of them rather than 1. If the course was empty not as much a problem

Yes, I learned this rule a few years ago. I was a newbie winter Villager, and we were a foursome and they let a "Lifestyle" twosome out. I suggested we let them through and was educated to the rule. The explanation I got was exactly as JMintzer described; that to keep track of who is where, they keep track of the cart colors.
The only thing the Ambassadors really care about is the "time par" written on the card. If you fall behind it with open holes ahead, they might give you a gentle nudge. In fact this happened to us just yesterday, as we had gotten 8 minutes behind the already generous "time par". I actually appreciate the nudge, because I can't stand being the slow group, and I don't like having to be the one to ride herd on my foursome. Much more congenial within the group if the ambassador does it.
It's not a perfect system, but it ain't bad, IMO.

Likewise. However, if the course isn't jammed up, I'd much rather let the single go, if he/she so desires. I don't find it relaxing having them back there. I like the system here, where it's forbidden. Just keep your pace, and you don't have to worry about whether they want to play through. Some folks, especially beginners, hate playing through. They get really nervous about it, and would rather wait back there than play a golf shot or two in front of an audience.
I've hit enough bad shots in front of enough strangers that it no longer bothers me, but I get it.

Another bonehead discussion with an Ambass.

If you want to let a single or group play thru, go for it.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Somebody on this forum said the ambassadors can’t enforce rules anyway? ( I think it was an ambassador? Only make recommendations?:)

Now, you know better than that.:ho:

Not that specific of incident but they are to monitor time of play, this seems to be a lack of common sense or a new ambassador.

You need to get out more and pay more attention to the Rules of Golf. A "Single" has the same standing as a Foursome or any other group, per the USGA.

That makes no sense to me. It's still just 2 groups ahead of the third coming up (as mentioned in quote!). They just traded places.

the USGA? Really? Pace-of-play issues and guidelines are generally handled by the individual clubs, not the USGA. I'd be interested in looking at any USGA sourced link you have on this issue.

The starter delayed everyone waiting for a couple of no-shows to come to the course. Naturally everyone is backed up. Then on the sixth hole the ambassador starts wagging his finger and pointing at his watch. At the published time of 90 minutes to play the course we were ten minutes ahead at that point. I thought about telling him that, but there was no point. Some folks need their power trip. Let ‘em have it.

as a current ambassador, that is not true. That was the proper thing to do.

as a current ambassador, we try to run ahead but if a couple has a tee time reserved we have to wait until that time to see if they show up. now we are a bit behind. my solution, charge 5 points for no shows, 2 points if they call and cancel. would end in a hurry.

as a current ambassador, not true. we do enforce the rules

I need to get out more????? Pay attention to the rules???? After 52 years of competitive golf?????? My response: :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

And there's this from the rules of golf: "A single player has no standing, and must always give way to a properly constituted match."

Now, in 2004 you are correct in that there was a rules modification that emphasized pace of play over size of group, and a later clarification that considered a single as a "group" However, that does not give a single the right to play through multiple larger groups in rapid succession. Furthermore, this is frequently covered in the LOCAL RULES that make a statement regarding singles. Here in The Villages, the powers that be prohibit any group of any size from playing through. If there is a slow group it is up to the ambassador to move them along and even have them skip a hole (which rarely happens)

as a current ambassador, it's very easy to fix on my time sheet. simply switch the single with the foursome. everything will be correct then

Missing the point "MONEY"
 

Sorry but you are all missing the point, it is all about the money. If the ambassadors keep everyone in order then no one can sneak on and play without being noticed. Same reason the ambassadors will not make anyone skip a hole if they are behind.

Or alternatively, as an ambassador, you might remind golfers that their place on the course is directly behind the group ahead of them, not directly ahead of the group behind them:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

dead wrong again, as a current ambassador, we can make a player or group skip a hole.

Let’s not put all Ambassadors in the same boat. A few will run the course by the rules.
Unless you actually work the job you have no idea what it entails.
If you show courtesy you will get courtesy returned.
READY GOLF

If there is a single pushing my group and there are holes open in front of my group I am letting that single play through every time. It’s just the right thing to do . Spank me

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

I would sell tickets to watch this.

:clap2::clap2::clap2:

Per USGA rules, a single has no standing BUT another rule says players can let a faster group ( or single) play through. Of course TV never follows USGA rules.

:popcorn:

Please quote the rule that states singles have no standing, I can’t seem to find it.

I typically let faster players through because it’s the right thing to do.

From my experience those ambassadors do an excellent job. Congenial and knowledgeable, they give Villages golf a positive face.

Now and again (rarely) you encounter one who goes against that particular grain. My wife and I always walk, using pullcarts which we rent from the starter shack. I had my pullcart adjacent to the tee box and an ambassador pulled up and rather officiously told me that I could not have a pull cart in the tee box. I pointed out that my cart was BETWEEN the black and gold tee boxes, resting on a rather scruffy piece of dirt, and was a good six feet from either box. He mumbled something and left.

They changed the rules/guidelines years ago to give priority to a groups speed of play rather than numbers in the group which gave priority to singles, assuming they were playing faster. Personally, in 21 years in TV, I have NEVER been let through no matter how slow or how far behind the group in front has been .

I bet that sneaking on is a major problem. Where did you get that idea?

U R no accident, that's the right thing to do. :coolsmiley:

The starter held up for someone who was late?

My wife and I were over 10 minutes ahead of our scheduled tee time and starter said he already sent out the rest of our group we were assigned to be paired with because they were running ahead of pace. Said it's our fault as we should be there 20-30 minutes before our tee time. Had us join them on the 2nd tee (still before our scheduled tee time on #1).

People behind you would be held up because of 2 groups ahead of them instead of 2?