Hitting into the Group Ahead of You

[E-A-G-L-E!]

In golf, what do you consider to be hitting into the group ahead of you?  Well, more rather, what's your measure for determining whether or not you'd be doing so?  Does how the busyness of the course ever have an effect on that measure?

Kinda stems from Saturday's round of golf.  Busy course, got the impression the guys behind us were a bit impatient (one of their tee shots missed me by less than 15 feet), and you read a little bit about the guys in front of us. 

(FWIW, the Torp and I waited until they were about 250+ yds out, or until they were on the green, or until they were done on a par 3.  Inside 300 yds, I'd tee off first, outside 300 yds Kev would.)

[Uisce Beatha]

In golf, what do you consider to be hitting into the group ahead of you?

I'd have to go with... hitting into the group ahead of you.    

Well, more rather, what's your measure for determining whether or not you'd be doing so?  Does how the busyness of the course ever have an effect on that measure?

Never.  It doesn't matter if it's a seven hour round.  You NEVER hit into the group in front of you.  If you can, even with a once every ten rounds strike, reach any member of the group you need to wait.  End of story.

Kinda stems from Saturday's round of golf.  Busy course, got the impression the guys behind us were a bit impatient (one of their tee shots missed me by less than 15 feet), and you read a little bit about the guys in front of us.

Even 15 yards is too close.  Fifteen feet is ridiculous.  Now, mistakes do happen (see Tiger yesterday with a caddy, a few hundred thousand specators and 25 TV cameras).  Mistakes shouldn't happen more than once in a round though.  That's just dangerously irresponsible and if a group does it a second time they should be fired off the course IMO.

(FWIW, the Torp and I waited until they were about 250+ yds out, or until they were on the green, or until they were done on a par 3.  Inside 300 yds, I'd tee off first, outside 300 yds Kev would.)

I'll try to be gentle here.    Based on what you've reported about your game I should think 250 yards is waiting a bit too much.  Maybe you ARE that long and your scores are more a result of your play from mid-iron range and in.  My apologies if I took the wrong impression. 

It's good you play out of turn though.  No point in waiting for Kevin to hit first if he has the honor when the group in front is clearly out of your range.  This really only holds true on a busy, slow course though.  I play with my son quite a bit and he plays from a forward teeing area.  It's far slower to send him up to hit and then wait for him to get back so I can play than it is to wait a couple of minutes for the group to clear.  However, if I know we're talking five minutes I'll send him on.

I think you have the concept pretty much spot on.  Safety first.   

[Seamus]

What iss-key ba-ha said.
Also I would add to this question.

what's your measure for determining whether or not you'd be doing so?

I would say you have to be honest with your own skill level, which is what Uisce was saying when he was being gentle.

FWIW, the Torp and I waited until they were about 250+ yds out.

Can you hit a golf ball 250 yards?

The honors system is pretty much dead anymore, most especially on a busy course during the first rounds of the season when everyone is antsy to play again. It's ready golf, doesn't matter who has the honors.

If there are people on the green you are approaching and Kevin is 250 yards away, and you are 249 yards and he has the "honors", but Kevin feels like he can make the green, can you?, be honest with yourself. Kevin has the "honors" but if you feel like you can't reach it ready golf dictates you play. If then you feel that you cannot reach the green hit a club that's comfortable for you, a 9 iron or an 8 iron, don't try to be a hero and hit your driver as far as you can.

At 250 yards I don't think I could reach a green, so I'm thinking "get me to that 100 yard marker" I LOOOOOOOVE my 100 yard club. so, what do I hit that will go 150 yards, I also LOOOOOOOOVE my 8 iron.

From Uisce;
You NEVER hit into the group in front of you.  If you can, even with a once every ten rounds strike, reach any member of the group you need to wait.  End of story.

Now at 225 yards that's my go zone because I almost killed a lady 10 years ago with my second shot into a par 5. I don't think I've ever reached a green from 225 since, but the thought of that poor woman nearly dying that day keeps me whistling dixie and thinking good thoughts until the green has cleared and all human life has moved to the next tee box.

You have to keep up with the group ahead of you though, try to keep it that simple, I've had bad days where I've just picked up my golf ball and walked to the green and tended flag for the other fellas just so I don't slow things down.

one of their tee shots missed me by less than 15 feet

If I'm keeping up with the group ahead of me and this happens, once is Ok like Uisce said "mistakes happen", but if I'm keeping up with the group ahead of me and this happens twice I won't hesitate to remind them that I'm keeping up please don't do that again.

Safety First Golf Balls Kill indiscriminately.

[Spanky]

I won't hesitate to remind them that I'm keeping up please don't do that again.

And how do you do that, by hitting the ball back at them?

I agree that Honors is pretty much out on most courses I play. We always play ready golf and no one argues. About the only time honors comes up is on the green and then sometimes not even then.

I always hit further then my father (usual playing partner) so he always hits first. I usually have to wait for the 300yd rule (not braggin here just once in a blue moon, wish I could every time sort of thing). I have hit into people by accident and have been hit into. I didn't like either time, felt bad when I did it but never expected it to happen. Use comon sense and always keep a cool head.

[Aske]

wwpkd?

[E-A-G-L-E!]

In golf, what do you consider to be hitting into the group ahead of you?

I'd have to go with... hitting into the group ahead of you.    

lol

Well, more rather, what's your measure for determining whether or not you'd be doing so?  Does how the busyness of the course ever have an effect on that measure?

Never.  It doesn't matter if it's a seven hour round.  You NEVER hit into the group in front of you.  If you can, even with a once every ten rounds strike, reach any member of the group you need to wait.  End of story.

I didn't think so.  Thanks for affirming that.

Kinda stems from Saturday's round of golf.  Busy course, got the impression the guys behind us were a bit impatient (one of their tee shots missed me by less than 15 feet), and you read a little bit about the guys in front of us.

Even 15 yards is too close.  Fifteen feet is ridiculous.  Now, mistakes do happen (see Tiger yesterday with a caddy, a few hundred thousand specators and 25 TV cameras).  Mistakes shouldn't happen more than once in a round though.  That's just dangerously irresponsible and if a group does it a second time they should be fired off the course IMO.

Other than walking back to the clubhouse to talk to the pro, how would we go about doing that?  The course we play hardly ever has a ranger out.  We (especially I) were hit into more than several times - sometimes more than one drive coming at us - and mostly on the holes that were the farthest from the clubhouse.  Even though they were rather rude to do so, I didn't want to return the "favor" and send the ball back to them.

(FWIW, the Torp and I waited until they were about 250+ yds out, or until they were on the green, or until they were done on a par 3.  Inside 300 yds, I'd tee off first, outside 300 yds Kev would.)

I'll try to be gentle here.    Based on what you've reported about your game I should think 250 yards is waiting a bit too much.  Maybe you ARE that long and your scores are more a result of your play from mid-iron range and in.  My apologies if I took the wrong impression. 

It's good you play out of turn though.  No point in waiting for Kevin to hit first if he has the honor when the group in front is clearly out of your range.  This really only holds true on a busy, slow course though.  I play with my son quite a bit and he plays from a forward teeing area.  It's far slower to send him up to hit and then wait for him to get back so I can play than it is to wait a couple of minutes for the group to clear.  However, if I know we're talking five minutes I'll send him on.

I think you have the concept pretty much spot on.  Safety first.   

You're correct.  I'm not a long driver by any means, although I do hope that with more practice it will increase.  Saturday I had my driver out, and it went about 140.  Kev does average almost 250, though.  As you can see there is a great difference in our drives.  We always play ready golf, and unless the course is empty (it's either empty or busy - lol)  we don't stay strict on who has the honors (which would always be Kev).  Generally, I play the red tees and Kev plays the white, however, only the white were set up Saturday so we both played the white.  We were more than keeping up with the group ahead of us. (except on the hole I carded a 13. ) Several times we made it to the next tee box before they were teeing off.  Granted, they were a 4-some, and it was just the 2 of us.  Rather than me tee off and him wait 5 more minutes to tee off, we'd wait for them to get a little farther out so we could get off the tees a bit "quicker" for the next group.  We'd both set up our drives and do our practice swings while we were waiting so we could basically just step up and swing - maybe with one last practice swing - then off we go.

Thanks. 

[E-A-G-L-E!]

What iss-key ba-ha said.
Also I would add to this question.

what's your measure for determining whether or not you'd be doing so?

I would say you have to be honest with your own skill level, which is what Uisce was saying when he was being gentle.

Okie-dokie!  I do try to do that.  And if I am overestimating myself, Kev can be counted on to point that out.

FWIW, the Torp and I waited until they were about 250+ yds out.

Can you hit a golf ball 250 yards?

I can't; Torpie averages a little under that.  We try to take into account the "unaverage" drives, too.  Also, I'm still getting used to my new clubs right now.  So my averages are a bit uncertain. 

The honors system is pretty much dead anymore, most especially on a busy course during the first rounds of the season when everyone is antsy to play again. It's ready golf, doesn't matter who has the honors.

If there are people on the green you are approaching and Kevin is 250 yards away, and you are 249 yards and he has the "honors", but Kevin feels like he can make the green, can you?, be honest with yourself. Kevin has the "honors" but if you feel like you can't reach it ready golf dictates you play. If then you feel that you cannot reach the green hit a club that's comfortable for you, a 9 iron or an 8 iron, don't try to be a hero and hit your driver as far as you can.

At 250 yards I don't think I could reach a green, so I'm thinking "get me to that 100 yard marker" I LOOOOOOOVE my 100 yard club. so, what do I hit that will go 150 yards, I also LOOOOOOOOVE my 8 iron.

Kev and I enjoy playing ready golf.  The faster pace also helps us (me) play better. 

From Uisce;
You NEVER hit into the group in front of you.  If you can, even with a once every ten rounds strike, reach any member of the group you need to wait.  End of story.

Now at 225 yards that's my go zone because I almost killed a lady 10 years ago with my second shot into a par 5. I don't think I've ever reached a green from 225 since, but the thought of that poor woman nearly dying that day keeps me whistling dixie and thinking good thoughts until the green has cleared and all human life has moved to the next tee box.

You have to keep up with the group ahead of you though, try to keep it that simple, I've had bad days where I've just picked up my golf ball and walked to the green and tended flag for the other fellas just so I don't slow things down.

one of their tee shots missed me by less than 15 feet

If I'm keeping up with the group ahead of me and this happens, once is Ok like Uisce said "mistakes happen", but if I'm keeping up with the group ahead of me and this happens twice I won't hesitate to remind them that I'm keeping up please don't do that again.

Safety First Golf Balls Kill indiscriminately.

What may not be noticeable from my posting is that sometimes I can be a bit shy.  The walk back to talk to them would be torture (okay, maybe not that bad, but you get the point), but I'll keep that in mind for next time.  However, I don't know how seriously someone will take my words.  Most people who ask how old I am estimate me to be around 12. *sigh*

Safety first

[E-A-G-L-E!]

Thanks for the input!

[Uisce Beatha]

Communicating with people who hit into you can be tough no matter if you're not shy and/or are a big tough man as opposed a young lady. 

FWIW, I'd rather walk off a course than take the risk of being killed by someone repeatedly lobbing artillery in my direction.  There might be times you need to make that choice.

[Clive]

Perception is key, though, especially when verbal communication is lacking.  When those guys see you and Kev both wait, then tee off 1-2, it appears that you're slower than if they only see Kev tee off because you already hit while they were putting.

Second perception note: if those guys also looked at you and thought you were 12, then hitting into you is even more egregious.  If the phenomenon persists, perhaps it's time to wheedle a cell phone out of the old man.

[tdcoly]

Kinda stems from Saturday's round of golf.  Busy course, got the impression the guys behind us were a bit impatient (one of their tee shots missed me by less than 15 feet), and you read a little bit about the guys in front of us. 

You two sound as though you were trying to do the right thing.

You, Nat, probably could have teed off a little sooner (I generally play with my son, and he's way longer than me-I generally tee off when the group ahead is over 250 out so the folks behind can see that we are keeping up).

Other than that:

Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you.

-Stealers Wheel

[golfer ray]

Eagle, if a group behind you hits into you, and your shyness prevents you (besides the fact that you're good Christian girl (which is good!)) from walking back and beating the crap out of them, just pull out a tee and put their ball on the tee where it stopped.  This is a polite way of letting them know that they were a little too close.

[Torpedo]

Eagle, if a group behind you hits into you, and your shyness prevents you (besides the fact that you're good Christian girl (which is good!)) from walking back and beating the **** out of them, just pull out a tee and put their ball on the tee where it stopped.  This is a polite way of letting them know that they were a little too close.

Uh, then they would keep doing it so they could get a free improved lie.

[E-A-G-L-E!]

Perception is key, though, especially when verbal communication is lacking.  When those guys see you and Kev both wait, then tee off 1-2, it appears that you're slower than if they only see Kev tee off because you already hit while they were putting.

Oh, so instead of looking like we were prepared (having our tees all set and ready), it looked more like we were playing slow?  Okay, that's a different angle than we thought of, I'll keep that in mind.

Second perception note: if those guys also looked at you and thought you were 12, then hitting into you is even more egregious.  If the phenomenon persists, perhaps it's time to wheedle a cell phone out of the old man.

They were always far enough away where I don't think they would be able to determine my age - of course, that could always cause them to guess even lower I suppose. 

We did have a cell phone on us, but - until this very moment - I had forgotten that we have the courses' programmed into the memory.  Mostly, we have it with just to give a quick call on the last hole saying that we're almost ready to be picked up. 

Both are things to keep in mind for next time - though, hopefully, there won't be a next time. Wishful thinking, I know.

[E-A-G-L-E!]

Communicating with people who hit into you can be tough no matter if you're not shy and/or are a big tough man as opposed a young lady. 

FWIW, I'd rather walk off a course than take the risk of being killed by someone repeatedly lobbing artillery in my direction.  There might be times you need to make that choice.

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who could find it tough. 

I guess when it's my group that's being hit into I don't really stop and think of possible injury (though I do think of it when I'm the one swinging).  It's been mentioned several times now, and I think it's pounded into my head that, even though I'm practicing safety procedures, I can still be the one getting hurt. 

Just this afternoon, I saw an example of it.  No, I didn't get out to the course again, rather it was in my own backyard.  Both Chelsea and Garrett enjoy golf, and we've also been teaching them the same cautions (don't swing with people in front of you, don't swing when someone is possibly standing too close to you even if they are behind you, etc.)  However, being 5 and 3 years old respectively, they sometimes (okay, frequently) need reminders.  Today I think Chelsea really understood what we were saying.  Unfortunately, it was at the expense of Garrett being slightly injured.  The ball probably went farther than she expected, nonetheless, she still hit him in the arm.  We took the time to comfort him and try to soothe his tears (which did leave as soon as I asked if he wanted to go in, lol).  Then I took a moment to talk to Chelsea that this is why we've been telling her to be careful and that we know she didn't do it on purpose, but when we don't be careful these things can happen.  Then she went over to apologize to Garrett.  After that, she seemed to take the things we had been saying seriously and didn't need another reminder.