QuestionI was playing a match in a club knock out against a low handicap player who is very familiar with the rules of golf.
On one tee he hit his drive to the right, possibly into trees, but neither of us saw it finish its trajectory.
He then declared a provisional and played it. While he was doing so I walked ahead to start searching for his ball.
When he arrived at the likely position of his first ball I glanced at my watch and we carried on looking. After at least 5 minutes had elapsed from when I had glanced at my watch, I said to him that 5 minutes had passed and went to play to my ball. I waited a few more seconds before playing my ball while he carried on looking for his ball.
After I played my ball, by which time a full 7+ minutes had elapsed, I called over to him that 5 minutes had passed and he asked me how I knew. I explained I had looked at my watch when he arrived. He asked for confirmation that it was from the point when he arrived to start the search, which I confirmed it was.
He then said "so you were clocking me. Why didn't you tell me you were clocking me?". He then played his provisional ball.
Did I do the right thing or should I have done something different?
His provisional ball ended up in some staked trees and he asked me for a ruling. I said they were staked trees and he should take a drop from the nearest point of relief. He carried on asking me what to do, and when I said he knew the rules he said he knew the rule but wanted me to tell him the rule.
I explained the rule, he dropped the ball, played and after putting lost the hole.
2 holes later he hit his ball onto an adjoining green and again asked me where he should drop. I asked him why he was asking me the rules when he knew the rules and he said he wanted me to tell him the rule. He wasn't used to playing with people who clocked him and he wanted to make sure he dropped in the right place.
I told him I was not interested in this discussion and walked away. The rest of the round was played without him saying a word until he won the match.
Did I do something wrong and is this acceptable behaviour from a low single figure handicap golfer?
Answer
Over The Top Golf
I think you already know that this is unacceptable behavior although many would call it "gamesmanship."
Your call was the correct one so you have nothing to be ashamed of. As for your opponent, he either has a conscience or he doesn't. Winning isn't the most important thing in golf, it's how you conduct yourself. You were a winner in that regard.
