around the green

Yesterday I shot in a group and was wondering about ettiqute around the green.

If someone is preparing to chip a shot from the fringe is it bad to walk in front of them?

They could have just as easily walked around the player in order to get to their putt which is already on the green.

Perhaps I'm being fussy however, I have always equated the putting surface to a pool table and when others walk over your line when you are putting to the hole or chipping to the stick for that matter it reminds me of rubbing a hand between the cue ball and object ball.

"If someone is preparing to chip a shot from the fringe is it bad to walk in front of them?"



Absolutely poor etiquette. You should never walk in another players putting/chipping line if you can avoid it. The heavier your body, the more likely that you can put a heel mark impression on the green, especially if they have been recently watered.

ABSOLUTELY it is poor etiquette. Many people believe that the shot starts when someone steps up to the ball, pretty much everyone knows to stand still then, but all good player have a pre-shot routine. You really need to be out of their site line and standing still when that starts, usually when they are behind the ball. When everyone is milling around, it is OK to walk in front, however you should get a general idea of their line and step over it, if walking behind would be excessively inconvenient.

Lets say the ball is on the fringe and you have yet to chip the shot. You just got up to the ball. Your friend is walking on the green next to you near the fringe.

He can walk behind you so not to invade your space. Instead however, he choses to walk across your aim area again, instead of easily walking around the shooter almost as an act of inadvertant defiance/intimidation.

Is this not uncommon. Since I'm not shooting yet does it really matter other than it is anoying to me and therefore should probably be discussed before playing therefore preventing it?

This green is like a virging upon getting to it and crossing as such to me kind of spoils things a little especially, if this was to occur on every hole.... What to do...?

Chip one hard into his ankles. Every time he walks in front of you. Say it was a practice stroke.

Or politely ask him to stop.

The "chipping line" is just as important as a putting line. If he is walking directly in the line or if he is moving within your eye sight while you are addressing the ball, he is being rude.

But what if the person chipping is not addressing the ball and both are walking side by side. The opponents shot is already on the green and I am walking on the ruff/fringe before the chip shot which is located on the fringe.

Ideally, it should be good ettiquete for him to be on the ruff walking with me and around me at my shots location instead of walking on the green in front of my aiming area correct?

This would definately be magnified if the pin was 5 feet from the fringe versus say 20 feet...

Sorry about carrying it on (last reply) but I just need clarification. When I confronted them about how I was irritated about this they exploded at me. This person is 61, I am 42. Very odd... better to play with people my own age?

Peter,

Very bad form by the elder. Do you play golf with him often? If so, politely tell him not to. If he doesn't take it on board, do the same thing to him. But remember to repair your sprigg mark before leaving for the next tee.

Cheers.

Correct, he needs to learn proper golf etiquette or he's going to have a tough go finding anyone willing to play with him.