Hi Linda,
There is a well-established culture of "gimmes" in our club and this has extended beyond casual groups into stroke play competitions. In order to eradicate this we included in the local rules for a Stableford competition the following:
"There are no gimmes in stroke play (and Stableford) competitions. If the hole is not completed the score does not count. Penalty- disqualification in stroke play and no score for the hole in Stableford."
Despite this, several players continued to offer and accept "gimmes".
We disqualified those who took "gimmes" on the grounds that they signed for an incorrect score and the markers for knowingly signing an incorrect card.
There was some discussion as to whether the marker should be disqualified or not and whether the player should be penalised only for each hole he failed to complete.
It certainly made players aware of the problem.
Would you kindly comment.
Regards,
Lou from France
Dear Lou,
The player in a regular stroke play competition who fails to hole out must be disqualified [Rule 3.3c]. A marker who knowingly certifies an incorrect scorecard should also be disqualified under Rule 1.2a, Serious Misconduct [Interpretation 3.3b(1)/1].
If the stroke play competition is a Stableford, a player who does not hole out (for whatever reason) gets zero points for the hole, but is not disqualified from the competition [Rule 21.1b(1)]. However, if the player signs a scorecard that includes a score that would give him points on a hole (or holes) where he did not hole out, the player is disqualified [Rules 3.3b(3) and 21.1b(2)]. It is my opinion that a marker who certifies that incorrect card should also be disqualified.
Linda
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