Preferred Lies

scotts33

Where did this constant fiddling with the golf ball phenomenon get started? Isn't "play it as it lies" the main tenet of golf as a game?

I figure some of it is the recreational golfer improving their lie cuz the difficult lie is to hard to play and it's the modern way of making everything in life as easy as it can be.

Or I see pro's use the rules to benefit themselves so I don't really know the rules but so what I going to perch my ball up on an even easy lie. How do you learn how to play difficult shots from various lie situations if you never play the ball from these harder to pull off situations?

My only issue with these kinds of golfers who constantly fiddle with the ball is fine play that way but when you get done and say you shot 39 for 9 and really shot 51 then don't crow about it. Keep your mouth shut and don't display your ignorance around your playing partners.

I realize golf is a difficult game for the majority but isn't what why we play the game as it's designed to be more challenging? Or just play tiddlywinks?

Par4QC

The biggest tournament here in the QC area says the Championship division must play the ball down, everywhere. Other divisions have to play it down, if not in their own fw; iow, roll 'em. The tourney I go to in my home town states...'roll em'. There are always 'local' rules where ever you play, so the majority will play 'by the rules'. Can't really get upset when that happens and they score well. If it's a tourney, and USGA rules are strictly adhered to, I'd report someone in a heartbeat. You just have to have the mindset of playing every round as the rules would like it to be played. Probably rare it's done by but a few each day/round. To each, their own. I play by whatever rules apply to the course/situation.

scotts33

Is the game of golf to be played ball where it lies? Or is golf now play the ball where I want to put it for my next shot? That's what I am wondering. For me it has nothing to do with USGA/R&A rules.....that's just me. When I learned to play as a kid you never ever touched the ball to improve your lie. Now it seems like that's the way many play. I guess I've lost touch with modern golf reality. Is this reality now? I just want to make sure went back thru my head today on the 9 and could have improved 3 or 4 lies that may have cut 2 strokes off my 43 then I also could have taken a mulligan now I can break 40. Hmmmmm???? 😁

Par4QC

scotts33 I'm reasonably sure we all know the rules, and how the game was 'intended' to be played......land on hard dirt-hit off hard dirt, land in a puddle-hit out of the puddle, land in bush-hit out of bush. BUT, this is not the 1800's, and the rules have changed slightly. You can move your ball whenever you wish, every shot in fact, by simply taking an 'unplayable lie'. Of course, that does come with penalty, every shot. Then again, just look around here in 2020....no one wants to follow rules. 😂

It's the not taking of penalties that bother most. Or not putting out those 1 footers, that you often see players missing, even on TV.

sdandrea1

I have a friend (who no longer plays in my groups) that improves his lie on the fairway (any fairway), rough, and hazards. He and his buddies pick up any putt that is inside the LENGTH of their putter! Mulligans too. When he tells me he shot 82, I usually say "no you didn't ". They don't play golf.......they play Make Golf Easier.

azgreg

I've found tees in the fairway on more than one occasion.

garyt1957

azgreg I've found tees in the fairway on more than one occasion.

I find them more often when I hit a shot off line like behind a hill or something. Makes me laugh.

Ringoblack

azgreg Seems like I read or heard somewhere that for beginners to learn to hit the ball better they should use a tee in FWs. But don't recall where.

sdandrea1

Our local leagues in FL allow moving a ball off a root (we have live oak-lined fairways). Geezers gotta protect those brittle bones, but we don't have winter rules this far south.

accufitgolf

My Senior Men's Group allows one to roll their ball in their own fairway. If a ball lies in a dirt/rocky patch one is allowed to "scuff" the area with their foot then place the ball but place it in that area. There is no root relief though many think there should be.

We have about 60 in the group with 24 fairly regular each week (Tuesday at 10am) and sometimes as many as 40. The object of our group is to enjoy your round versus adhere strictly to the rules. There is an optional $10 per player cash pool for those that want in it. Otherwise, we do not much care what one does within their foursome.

There is $20 per year charge to play in the group and twice a year we have a get together at the club with food and an open bar. The Spring (May) get together is a basic cookout. The Winter (January) get together we have catered food.

DonM

Last year was my first at the course in Arizona. The fairways were not very good until spring came around. As a result, the men's league allowed you to roll it in the fairway. Then in the championship they didn't. Some guys were unhappy, lol.

pellmell

Course conditions should dictate action. Some neglected courses should have preferred lies year around.

scotts33

Par4QC That's a bit of stretching. I might go scratch if that was the case. And have a lot of 1 putts. I cringe, even when playing alone, when I pick up a 1-2 footer. But sometimes I hurry too much to get to the next tee, I guess.

I was kidding cuz I am more of a stickler to play the game as a challenge to yourself....you vs. the course. After stretching it a bit I won't be doing it again cuz playing par abusing the rules is less satisfying then playing the ball down.

As far as 6x moving the ball to an improved lie that's nothing to many. I have observed many players moving the ball every shot. It gets to be a habit. I think the term "roll" is really "moving" to improve your lie.

Par4QC You can move your ball whenever you wish, every shot in fact, by simply taking an 'unplayable lie'. Of course, that does come with penalty, every shot.

Agreed so add a shot and play it as an unplayable. 😀 Instead of the 40 it becomes 48. lol

garyt1957

Personally I don't care what anyone else does if we're not playing for money. Whatever makes the game fun for you is good by me. And I don't care if you roll the ball and then brag to me about your score. I'll still congratulate you. It's just a silly game.

scotts33

Played my daily 9 today and played like the majority. Moved the ball 6x in the fairway, took putts inside the leather, took one mulligan. 36 such an easy game. Looking forward to this way of playing golf now I'm better than I thought. 😀

sdandrea1

scotts33 Played my daily 9 today and played like the majority. Moved the ball 6x in the fairway, took putts inside the leather, took one mulligan. 36 such an easy game. Looking forward to this way of playing golf now I'm better than I thought.

That's fun, but don't post that score in GHIN - you'll murder your handicap. 😁

garyt1957

scotts33 You need to play better courses if you need to move the ball 6 times IN THE FAIRWAY!

scotts33

sdandrea1 That's fun, but don't post that score in GHIN - you'll murder your handicap.

I don't keep a hdcp. In fact most of the time I just keep score so many over on 9 in my head 90% of the time. I score myself on how many great centered solid impacts I have. That's how I know a good round from a crappy one.

scotts33

garyt1957 Play my local muni walk 9 with my buddies. Fairways are barren patches here and there from the heat. Balls always tend to roll to non-grassy areas which if one plays these kind of conditions frequently you will see that. Since, I can play sharp blades and pick the ball I could play these shots on the dirt tight lies but I wanted to know how much easier and better score was possible and since it seems everyone plays this way I wanted to see if there was much difference. Taking a mulligan and taking putts inside of 3 feet. Isn't that how everyone plays?

sdandrea1

scotts33 Taking a mulligan and taking putts inside of 3 feet. Isn't that how everyone plays?

Ummmmm, no. Not here. We all have a few bucks in the pot, and it's USGA except for the "root rule". No gimmees, no Mulligans. All of our games are handicapped-based, so everyone needs an accurate index. I have a few buds in VA (as mentioned above) and when I play with them, it's paradise rules. If I don't break 80 in that group, I've had a BAAAAAD day.

Par4QC

scotts33 taking putts inside of 3 feet. Isn't that how everyone plays?

That's a bit of stretching. I might go scratch if that was the case. And have a lot of 1 putts. I cringe, even when playing alone, when I pick up a 1-2 footer. But sometimes I hurry too much to get to the next tee, I guess.

Eguller

Par4QC But sometimes I hurry too much to get to the next tee, I guess.

Enjoy the journey Rex. Otherwise, it is just exercise with a dash of frustration thrown in.