Hi again Linda,
A friend of mine was playing a Match Play Tournament. He saw
his opponent tee his ball in front of the tee markers and waited for him to hit
the ball, which he did straight down the middle. Now my friend informed this
opponent that he must re-tee because he teed the ball in front of the markers.
His opponent wasn’t happy. I told my friend that that was unsportsmanlike and
not in the spirit of the game. If he sees his opponent or fellow competitor
about to break a rule, he should inform him and not wait until he gets a
penalty. His response was “not in match play”. Since I couldn’t convince my
friend that I was right, I need a referee to determine who is right. Thanks as
always.
Lou from Stuart, FL
Dear Lou,
I have searched through the rulebook and have not found any
wording suggesting that good sportsmanship does not apply to match play. Indeed,
it is encouraged in the very first section of the rulebook, under “The Spirit
of the Game,” giving it priority over everything that follows.
A player is morally obligated, whenever possible, to inform
an opponent (or a fellow competitor) that he is about to breach a Rule.
Deliberately withholding information that would save another player from a
penalty (or a repeat tee shot) is, to me, unconscionable.
It is not against the Rules to refrain from warning an
opponent that he is about to proceed incorrectly; it is against the rules of
good sportsmanship to do so.
Let’s revisit the scenario, but change the narrative. This
time, your friend notices the error and warns the player before he hits. What
has changed? Now the opponent knows that the player is a good sport (as well as
knowledgeable about the Rules). It has been established that the players will
try to save each other from incurring penalties, the match will proceed
amicably, and perhaps the two opponents become friends. Instead, by
deliberately withholding information, the opponent now believes the player is
out to “get” him, and the match becomes unpleasant and uncomfortable. Which
type of match would your friend prefer?
Linda
Copyright © 2017 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
