An etiquette dilemma. Please give me your advice.

Question

What do you do when your opponent claims he has found his ball in the rough but you know he is cheating because you have it in your pocket?

Answer 1

if l was in your position then i would yell out and mention to everyone that they are cheaters because no one gets threw life cheating and who ever does will face the conciquences and suffer.

Answer 2

Why would you have it in your pocket.  You are not to pick up other people's balls for any reason.  

He cheated and you're not any different.

Answer 3

Both of you are wrong.

If you are playing a proper match, you both have an obligation to follow the rules.  This includes both of you marking your ball.

Shame on him for trying to play the wrong ball (two stroke penalty in stroke play, loss of hole in match), shame on you for picking up his ball (also a rules violation).

Next time...if you find your opponent's ball, ask him what he's playing and inform him that you think that you have found his ball.

Answer 4

You should have told him you found a ball and ask him first what is he playing?  vs. telling him you found a type of ball.  Also, when we play we always identify what type of ball and markings we are using.  We have played enough to know each others preferences, so no confusion.  We have a different problem with one player who insists on picking up his ball in the rough to identify it and conveniently provides himself a better lie.  So now he has an unenviable reputation of bending the rules (don't want to call him a cheater) but is it worth having that with your buddies?  

Answer 5

Is this a tournament?? Friendly game??

In tournament play, you would be penalized for picking up his ball. So it sounds like a friendly game....and you would still be penalized for picking up his ball...I would penalize myself,,, and tell the guy to get bent. Golf is a game of rules that the player himself enforces...Its a matter of honesty and respect.

So I wouldnt play golf with him anymore.

Otherwise,,,,if you just want to mess with him...call him out.

Answer 6

This is one of the few questions that really had me giggling out loud! I like it!

What I'd do is say "really? fancy that," and keep going and keep stealing his balls the rest of the game!  

Answer 7

The best way to go around tihs is to say "what are you playing?"  and as he\she is telling you what he\she is playing lightly stab your opponet with a penicil and say "I have a magic pencil but I don't use it how come you get to cheat?"

Answer 8

I think that's funny. Good Question. If I was you I would confront him and tell him to get over his cheating.

Have a good one...

Answer 9

Wow, sounds like the thief got robbed.  So does the thief report the robbery to the police??  Unfortunately, you'll have to eat this one.  The only consolation is now you know he cheats, so keep an eye on him if you are ever going play with him again.

In our golf club, we have players that are 'known' to shave strokes on their score card, and we all keep an eye and help them 'count' their strokes and over eagerly help them find their ball.  After a while, that player will catch on and learn to be honest, or eventually leave the club.

Answer 10

im goin with black on this one, keep on stealing his balls!! and have a laugh about it!

Answer 11

I would tell him this , you know you really learn a lot about a person when you play golf with them , and then toss his ball to him and say here is your ball by the way and walk away.

Answer 12

Wouldnt you be cheating too if you picked up a ball that was in play that was not yours?  Picking up someone elses ball is a major violation of golf etiquette.  I would rather play with a cheater than an a*****e any day of the week.  If you wouldnt keep playing with his d**n balls, he wouldnt have to cheat.

Answer 13

If it is a friendly game, show them their ball and put it down and laugh.

In a real game, be honest and tell them that you have found their ball - don't pick it up in the first place!