Match Play Question

[LobWedge]

Hi Gary,

In the spirit of the season (it is a Ryder Cup year after all) I have a match-play question.

Players A and B are opponents in a singles match. Both player’s balls are on the green, A is lying 3, B lies 2 and has a putt to win the hole. B strokes his putt and misses and his ball rolls past the hole. While B’s ball is still in motion A says “that’s good”.

Does B win the hole with a score of 3 because the stroke wasn’t completed before the concession, or does he mark down 4 because the stroke was considered complete as soon as the ball passed the hole?

[broken27]

Wouldn't this clinically define player A as a moron? I'm not sure about this, but wouldn't the concession apply only to the next putt as a gimmie? Player B would still win the hole, but do the number of strokes matter anyway??

Interested in the response from Gary...

Dan

[LobWedge]

I'm not sure about this, but wouldn't the concession apply only to the next putt as a gimmie?

That's why I said the ball is still in motion. The question being, is the stroke considered complete when the ball has left the putter, or when the ball finally comes to rest?

Player B would still win the hole, but do the number of strokes matter anyway??

Actually, if in fact B has made 4, then A still has a putt for a half. So yes, the number of strokes do matter in this case.

[NoBack]

I would say that because of the way you described it,

his ball rolls past the hole

B missed his putt and would be given the next putt for 4. Player A would still have to make his putt to tie B.

stroke wasn’t completed before the concession

I beleive his storke was completed as soon as he touched the ball???


Gary????

[Gary Hill]

When you concede a stroke in match play, you are conceding the NEXT stroke.

It is irrelevant whether or not the ball is still in motion.

FYI -

A “stroke’’ is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he has not made a stroke.

A "stroke" has nothing to do with the movement of the ball, the ball leaving the putter, or the putter touching the ball.

[mberube]

A “stroke’’ is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he has not made a stroke.

A "stroke" has nothing to do with the movement of the ball, the ball leaving the putter, or the putter touching the ball.

Are you saying that if a player swing to hit the ball but misses it, it is counted as a stroke that must be added?

[NoBack]

yep

[LobWedge]

As a matter of fact, I had to call a "whiff" on myself at the OGT event at Casselview. Remember Steve?

[NoBack]

I certainly do lobwedge

And it was a thing of beauty

We 've all been there before. :shake

[mpare]

I certainly do lobwedge

And it was a thing of beauty

We 've all been there before. :shake

Come on, Steve, the proper answer to the question you were asked is: "What whiff? You whiffed a ball! I really can't remember you doing that. It would have been soooo long ago. Now, that shank of yours .... that's quite another matter. I'd really concentrate on my downswing if I were you." This approach is best used in match play later in the round when the pressure is really on!!!! Oh by the way, don't try this stunt on team Green on Sunday.

[NoBack]

michael michael michael

"you can have that putt, that's good. pick it up" for the first 8 holes until the 9th hole and then "no that's not a gimmie"

[Colby]

michael michael michael

"you can have that putt, that's good. pick it up" for the first 8 holes until the 9th hole and then "no that's not a gimmie"

That was your putt! Ahhh, I thought it was your usual drive!