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Forum > Rules and Etiquette
Where to stand
Jon Williams Handicap : 23 Location : Posts :	Posted : Tue 8th Apr 2008 21:10 When waiting for my partners to play I have always tended to stand behind them either just to the right or left. This I find the best position to sight their shot and advise them where it has gone if they lose it in flight. If I stand to the side and have to move my head to follow the ball I quite often lose it. No one I have played with has ever has ever complained about me standing behind them. However the etiquette section of the rules of golf states, "Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball when a player is about to play." Can anyone explain why this is considered a problem. Is it because they might catch sight of you in the backswing although I can't see how if they are looking at the ball or is it a safety issue if the club slips out of their hands in the back swing? Or am I misunderstanding what the etiquette section says?




Christopher Watmore Handicap : 15.9 Location : Posts :	Reply : Tue 8th Apr 2008 21:22 Basically you're not allowed to stand on the extended line of a players shot. It applies from tee right through to the green. It prevents you gaining knowledge unfairly. I generally tend to stand diagonally behind playing partners so as not to be in their peripheral vision. I wouldn't stand diagonally face on to them as I always think they'd be aware of me being there.


Jon Williams Handicap : 23 Location : Posts :	Reply : Tue 8th Apr 2008 21:32 So if I'm standing 4 or 5 metres back and a metre or two to the right or left I'm OK.


Christopher Watmore Handicap : 15.9 Location : Posts :	Reply : Tue 8th Apr 2008 22:21 Yes thats correct, as long as you're not standing on the line of the ball to the target you're not breaking any rules.


Jon Williams Handicap : 23 Location : Posts :	Reply : Tue 8th Apr 2008 22:43 Thanks Chris


John Pettitt Handicap : 13.3 Location : Posts :	Reply : Tue 8th Apr 2008 23:11 I am not that fussed where they stand just as long as they keep still, as any slight movement will be picked up in the peripheral vision.


Matt Hargraves Handicap : 24 Location : Posts :	Reply : Wed 9th Apr 2008 08:45 I find it a tad annoying if there stood behind me and there shadow gets in my vision but other than that i dont mind. One thing i would like to know is on putts, your not allowed to stand directly behind on the line a players making a putt. Whats the rule after they have hit the putt can you walk and view it rolling from behind then? say you stand diazonally behind them they hit and you walk forward after they have hit?


Tim Hawkins Handicap : 20.2 Location : Posts :	Reply : Wed 9th Apr 2008 09:29 Safest place with me is directly in front!


Tony Dunn Handicap : 18.3 Location : Posts :	Reply : Thu 10th Apr 2008 22:12 I believe, Mat, you have to be 3 paces either side of the line of your opponents put, but once they have played the shot you can move to directly behind to watch the line, sneaky monkey


Matt Hargraves Handicap : 24 Location : Posts :	Reply : Fri 11th Apr 2008 08:32 Just a little tip i was given by our pro, wondered how ligit it was


Wayne Santorini Handicap : 13.9 Location : Posts :	Reply : Fri 11th Apr 2008 10:31 In Tim's case the same fairway as the hole he's playing would be great


John Flood Handicap : 14.5 Location : Posts :	Reply : Fri 11th Apr 2008 12:39 I play with one person who stands directly behind me on all shots which was really annoying & often put me off. I didin't want to make a big deal out of it so I used it to my advantage & started to ask him if I was lined up OK, where my feet where pointing etc. When this started to help me he stopped standing behind me!!! J.


Wayne Santorini Handicap : 13.9 Location : Posts :	Reply : Fri 11th Apr 2008 12:43 Nice move John, I've used that trick before and like you say they soon sod off when they realise they are actually helping you




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