Who's shot is it?

In matchplay, or stroke play come to that, if a player is off the green but closer to the pin than the player on the green, who should play first?

Playing exactly to the rules, the player whose ball is furthest from the pin should play first regardless of where the ball lies.

If the player who is furthest away is on the green invites the other player to 'come on' then the other player can take his shot first. If the closer player takes his shot without that invitation the other player can ask him to replace his ball and take his shot again in the correct order. That rule applies anywhere on the course.

matchplay Playing Out of Turn If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there is no penalty, but the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel the stroke so made and, in correct order, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played

strokeplay Playing Out of Turn If a competitor plays out of turn, there is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies. If, however, the Committee determines that competitors have agreed to play out of turn to give one of them an advantage, they are disqualified.

Judy, it's worth stressing the fact you can only ask someone to replay their shot if they have played out of turn in matchplay but not in strokeplay as both were mentioned by Jim in his original post.

Thanks very much all, I think that covers it. Have never been sure about that and its something that crops up time and again.

Next time a certain person assumes it is his shot because he is off the green and I am in a bad mood about his general poor ettiquette he will be in for a suprise.

It generally makes sense to just let the guy play on so you dont have to keep taking the flag in and out.

When you invite the player who is off the green to "come on", is he entitled to say no thanks, you're further away, I'll go after you?

yes, just as you have the right to invite hm/her to play onto the green. Unless it is to help assist you in any way