Poll: “Going to School” Putting Etiquette?

[Middler]

I’ll admit it’s tempting, and I sometimes choose poll option 2, but I wonder if I should always be doing option 3 to satisfy the spirit of the etiquette rules? Yesterday in a friendly match I told another player he was welcome to stand behind my line to go to school, and he declined saying ‘thanks but no, I play in a lot of tournaments.’ And I don’t see pros “go to school” at all.

There is no penalty for standing behind a player as long as you’re still, but I assume we all know it violates the spirit of the etiquette section.

• Do not stand where you might distract a fellow player and don't move.

[cnosil]

Basic etiquette is not to stand on someone’s line; either the through line of behind a player while they are putting.

That said, It is perfectly acceptable to go to school on someone’s putt. What you see is players walking in after the putt has been struck.

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 minute ago, cnosil said:

Basic etiquette is not to stand on someone’s line; either the through line of behind a player while they are putting.

That said, It is perfectly acceptable to go to school on someone’s putt. What you see is players walking in after the putt has been struck.

The player will also do it himself as the ball rolls past the hole so they can get a read for what it’s going to do on their next putt 

[Middler]

5 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

The player will also do it himself as the ball rolls past the hole so they can get a read for what it’s going to do on their next putt 

That has nothing to do with etiquette though...

[MaxEntropy]

In general, I stay out of the way until the putt is moving, but the guy I play with most often and I will totally stay on the line and watch the whole putt - we've discussed whether it is a distraction and we are both fine with it.

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, Middler said:

There is no penalty for standing behind a player as long as you’re still, but I assume we all know it violates the spirit of the etiquette section.

• Do not stand where you might distract a fellow player and don't move.

I disagree, standing off to the side of the line, and standing still while the player addresses and hits his putt is all that should ever be expected.  I have no problem with standing to one side of the line and stepping in once the ball is on its way, and no problem if someone does the same when I am putting.

And what we "should all know" is that, as of 2019, there is no Etiquette Section.  That doesn't mean you should feel free to act in any manner you choose.  Here is what you should feel required to do, under Section 1.2:

Quote

All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:

Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.

Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player.

Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.

 

[DaveP043]

4 minutes ago, MaxEntropy said:

In general, I stay out of the way until the putt is moving, but the guy I play with most often and I will totally stay on the line and watch the whole putt - we've discussed whether it is a distraction and we are both fine with it.

This is fine as long as the two of you aren't Partners in some kind of competition format.

[MaxEntropy]

1 minute ago, DaveP043 said:

This is fine as long as the two of you aren't Partners in some kind of competition format.

The most serious competition we have is against each other, no other real competition for either of us.

[xOldBenKenobiX]

It all depends on with whom I am playing.

If it is a stranger, then I stay away from their line.

Now my normal playing partners, yeah I am watching and learning from their putt all day long.

[Middler]

15 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I disagree, standing off to the side of the line, and standing still while the player addresses and hits his putt is all that should ever be expected.  I have no problem with standing to one side of the line and stepping in once the ball is on its way, and no problem if someone does the same when I am putting.

And what we "should all know" is that, as of 2019, there is no Etiquette Section.  That doesn't mean you should feel free to act in any manner you choose.  Here is what you should feel required to do, under Section 1.2:

 

Thanks, that’s why I asked. I do play with people who as a courtesy still don’t step in for a look even with league friends, ran into one yesterday, even if it would be to their advantage. And thanks, I did not realize the etiquette guidance has been pared back so dramatically, sad IMO.

[den748]

I've always asked if I'm going to stand behind the player.  And even when they say it is fine, I'm WAY behind them and perfectly still.   Generally though, I do the stay to the side (not moving) and as the putt is rolling I'll calmly walk behind to see more where it is breaking.  I may also read their putt as they are reading and choose a mark on the green that I'd have hit and see if they go above or below and see the results.  Can help me get the degree of the break without having to worry about standing behind. 

[DaveP043]

32 minutes ago, Middler said:

Thanks, that’s why I asked. I do play with people who as a courtesy still don’t step in for a look even with league friends, ran into one yesterday, even if it would be to their advantage. And thanks, I did not realize the etiquette guidance has been pared back so dramatically, sad IMO.

I think its important to remember that the old Etiquette section was all recommendations, nothing was required of a player.  There were no penalties for any violation of the Etiquette, short of a DQ by the Committee for a Serious Breach.  Under the 2019 Rules, the Committee can establish a Code of Conduct that could define and regulate certain Etiquette requirements, and institute stroke penalties for infractions.  So while the old rules may have outlined general good Etiquette, the new rules give the Committee some real teeth to define and enforce Etiquette requirements.

For those who don't have an old Rule Book handy, you can see the old rules here:

http://ruleshistory.com/rules2016.html

Edited July 14, 2020 by DaveP043

[aerospace_ray]

100% agree with @DaveP043 comment " standing off to the side of the line, and standing still while the player addresses and hits his putt is all that should ever be expected ". 

That is how I was taught by my mentors and the way I taught my boys. IMO that goes hand in hand with repairing ball marks, not walking in ones intended line of putt, etc. There are golfer over the years that I refuse to play with (unless forced pairing in a tournament) because they habitually walk across everyone's line of putt and don't repair ball marks (the ones they make -- I can get others that are obvious and I do but some won't even repair the ones they made). Other reasons too but not topic of this discussion. 

[Kanoito]

With my regular partners that's definitely  not an issue, we just have fun... sometimes we even putt simultaneously and see who gets it in...

During regular tournament play, I'll stay out of sight on the side and don't even bother walk after the putt has been hit. I rarely have the same putt as another player and looking from the side gives is enough info.

[Middler]

I saw a petty putting cheat I hadn’t seen in years yesterday, by a guy who’s pretty good judging by HI, and his cheat almost certainly didn’t help him putt - so why do it?

He always marked his ball on the green, and put his mark ahead of the ball, even a couple inches ahead a couple times. And you guessed it, when he put his ball down he put it just ahead of the mark, so he gained a couple inches on every putt. Hadn’t seen that petty cheat in a while. Sad.

He also made us move our marks if anywhere near his line, even when clearly not in his path. ???