Casual Rules For The Saturday Foursome

General Discussion
#1

Here are the “casual rules” our money game plays with to help pace of play:

  1. All OB and lost ball are played as lateral hazard

  2. If the entire golf ball is inside the grip the putt is conceded, if any part is outside you putt it

  3. Against a tree root / rock or clearly inside a footprint in a bunker is free relief, typically announced to the group

Unlike some people, we do not do “gallery drops”. If you have that situation it is covered under casual rule #1 - take a 1 stroke penalty and drop like a lateral hazard

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#2

I like all of those and think playing groups can have a lot more fun with each other if that have pre-set group rules that everyone agrees to. Another concept I like (from the WHS) is a net double bogey being the maximum score. Once you get to a double bogey plus your handicap strokes, just pick it up and that’s your score.

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#3

We don’t do the lost and OB as lateral thing, but we STRONGLY encourage provisionals, and require guys to use E-5 if they unexpectedly lose one. No walk of shame back tot he tee, ever. I think the 2-stroke penalty keeps handicaps a little more accurate. We do specify the length for gimmes, since we’re playing in multiple groups. We actually do play it down pretty much everywhere, but encourage taking unplayable lie relief rather than break a club (or bones, we’re old and brittle). In bunkers we’re allowing relief from unraked stuff like footprints, there are no rakes on the course right now.

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#4

We have the combination of being decently long (most guys can get it out 275ish, a few guys can hit it 300) and wild off the tee…

I understand why many prefer to adhere to the rules, but it is a big time saver and encourages a bit more of a “go for it” strategy.

Most of the guys in our group do not do league / member guest stuff our “unofficial committee” handicap is perfectly fine

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#5

Great rules. Instead of playing OB balls as a lateral hazard, we allow one free mulligan per 9 from the tee box only. May change to the lateral hazard though, we like to play, but we all have families and time is always of the essence for us!

#6

I like the standardized gimme rules. Without that, things get out of control (giving 3 footers) or people beg or feel offended if it’s not given. I also like to hit two footers as I also play in tournaments and try to keep a legit handicap. I have had many casual scores feel illegitimate because I’ve had multiple three footers whacked back to me. Another option is to simply putt everything out! If it’s truly a gimme and no chance to miss, why not just hole it? It makes a cool sound (at least before pool noodles in the cup) and can build confidence and you can even work on contact and rhythm even on a tap in. It could even turn your putting around if you were to have something click on that tap in.

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#7

So our rule is “if you putt it, you give up the auto gimme”.

No ex post facto gimmes, and to your point, if its really a gimme then you will make it.

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#8

I like that, but…(here comes a very whiny whinge!) I feel very self-conscious when putting a 3 footer that someone has given me, like they are thinking I’m too good for their game or don’t want to play by their rules or at the very least I’m unnecessarily slowing down the group since the putt was given then I rush and have all these distracting thoughts in my head and then I miss it and then wonder if I would have made it if it hadn’t been conceded… Aaagh!

Anyway, I understand everyone has different things they want out of a casual Saturday morning round. I’d probably be better off to find a group that likes to play in tournaments and keep real handicaps and putts everything out, but it’s hard to find games like that in a small town, and especially when my current group has the first time out every weekend when the weather is glorious and no wind!

#9

Ok, here’s what i prefer if you really want to get in that competitive mind frame.

Play a match (medal, stroke Nassau or match) but include a significant penalty for 3 putts. So if its a 10 dollar Nassau you have a 5 dollar penalty on 3 putting.

I don’t mind playing in that type of match but my usual group likes it more casual / likes variance so not a fit for us. I do the competitive matches with a family friend about every other month. Larger stakes and it’s always just the two of us so still playing quickly

#10

Isn’t it a rule now that you take 2 strokes for an OB ball and play it from the fairway laterally from where it went out?
That is how we play…in league and when we are playing for $. That more closely resembles the stroke and distance penalty…

#11

It’s an optional local rule. Even when the rule is in effect, you have the choice to play a provisional before you leave the tee. If you play a provisional, you’re not allowed to use the Local Rule.

#12

Yep, that is an option, i believe it’s encouraged as a local rule.

We deliberately get rid of the 2 stroke penalty to keep players in the hole. In our game, if you knock one off the planet, you still have a chance to get up and down for par.

Just to emphasize again, we play a game with 4 to 8 guys, handicap range 5 to15. Groups are typically playing wolf and maybe a skins bet or two best ball between groups. With several guys being double digit handicaps, and our proclivity to gamble, I really think it gives the outing a much more “fun” vibe.

#13

I’m a purist and I also want to shoot the best score I can playing by the rules. So play strictly by the USGA rules. Sorry. It’s the funnest way to play in my opinion.

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#14

Nothing to be sorry about as long as you’re keeping the pace of play (and not holding differently minded playing partners to the same standard) :smiley:

#15

My dad threatened me with death the first time I ever played a round with him ‘cos I stepped onto the first tee for my turn to hit and my glove wasn’t already on my hand. He took 15 angry mins to explain how slow play is the biggest sin a man can commit. Best lesson he ever gave me and it stuck with me ever since. Practice swings are not my thing.

What does slow a round down is 2 off the first. Don’t get me started…

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#16

To each their own my friend

#17

Agreeing to rules beforehand is a great idea. We typically play 2 ball best ball so everyone gets to play a full round but we can still enjoy the dynamics of a team event.
The best rules are the quirks, for example we all have to hit driver on the 3rd, the tightest fairway on the course.
Seriously though, is there anything better in the world than casual golf with mates?

#18

No, it is the zenith of civilized society.

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#19

A competitive round with mates is the best. We play $10 (front) $10 (back) $20 (match) best ball.

Winners buy the first round after. Bragging rights are the best.

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#20

Same with us, winners buy the first round. :slight_smile: