From: sercely@convex.com (Ron Sercely)
Subject: Re: Golf Etiquette Part 1/5
Organization: CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx., USA
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 21:01:47 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

In article <2934738421.3.p00168@psilink.com> "James F. Tims" <p00168@psilink.com> writes:
>>DATE:   29 Dec 92 14:53:25 GMT
>>FROM:   Mark Bisgeier <mdb@netcom.com>
>>
>>I'd be interested in your analysis of etiquette vis-a-vis the Rules of Golf...
>>is there an instance where etiquette is inconsistent with the Rules (e.g.,
>>the common practice of a player off the green putting or chipping first
>>even though someone on the green may be further away from the hole and the
>>away player has not really given his consent to let the off-green player
>>play)?
>>-- 
>>
>>Mark Bisgeier              mdb@netcom.com
>>       ...Let your mind wander... 
>
>Order of play, R. 29-2, 29-3 provide for loss of hole and a 2 shot penalty
>respectively.  Playing off the following tee disqualifies.  In settings
>less formal than tournament play, the rule is very rarely invoked (I 
>would guess seldom stands, as well 8^) ).  The etiquette comes into play 
>in a friendly foursome, despite the fact that no penalty 
>would ensue, where one should always ask first.  The fact that one can play 
>and the other player is not ready actually places the first breach on 
>the other player who should have stated that other players should play 
>while he prepares to play.  (What a terrible sentence!)  
>
>The rules allow for change of order by consent, even in honor off the tee.
>Breaking the rules of order without consent is bad etiquette.  In general,
>where rules apply, breaking the rules in a setting where they are not 
>enforced is poor etiquette.
>
>Whether one plays out of order without permission depends on whether the 
>other player will be inconvenienced, and especially  on whether 
>one can mark the ball afterward without slowing down everybody.
>
>Good etiquette also implies the observance of unenforced rules, but I 
>can think of nowhere that the rules and golf etiquette collide.
>  ,...,.,,
> /666;    ',    jim tims
>////;    _~ -   p00168@psilink.com
>(/@/----0-~-0
> ;'  . `` ~ \'
>  , `    ' , >
>;;|\..((   -C---->> When in doubt about the order, don't dally, ask.
>;;| >-  `.__),;;
>

Sorry Jim, but I think you managed to read one small part of the rules,
but missed most of the important one.  Rule 29 (and 30 and 31) are rules
that are for "Other Forms of Play".  This includes foursomes, but virtually
noone plays foursomes as defined in the Rules of Golf!  Four people going off
of a tee together do NOT constitute a foursome!

Considering the most common forms of play, order of play is covered by
Rule 10.

The are summarized quite simply.

In match play, the play who is away MUST play first, otherwise the opponent
_MAY_ require the player to replay the stroke!  In other words, if you sink
a 50 foot put, but your opponent is 51 feet from the pin, he can force you
to replay the shot (no penalty). If you hit it OB, the opponent will probably
NOT require you to replay :-)

In stroke play, there is no penalty for playing out of turn, with one minor
exception.  If you play out of turn to aid another player (show a partner
the line of a put for example) you, and the aided plaer are disqualified!

The net effect is, unless you are playing a match, "ready golf" is completely
legal! 

Ron