We recently had a member caught cheating on his scorecard for a club event. (small prizes) What are some of the penelties that you have heard of for such an infraction? (first offence) What do you think would be a reasonable penelty?

Well obviously disqualification from that competition and take his previous scores with a pinch of salt. I honestly don't know how anyone could show their face round the club after being caught cheating. But this happened at my club, a talented player shot 75, but changed his score card and handed in a 70, it was his first offence and he got an 18 month suspension, he doesn't play anymore.

As far as the event, the rules of golf govern the penalty.

Rule 6-6:
"d. Wrong Score for Hole The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned stands."

As to what penalty the club might consider regarding the cheater's continued membership... if you have reason to believe it was intentional (not just a mistake recording a score), I would hope the committee would apply sanctions that might encourage him to quit. (suspension, lowered handicap, etc...)

You said, "cheating" so I must assume it was intentional. Making an error is totally different.

How gross. The dope turned fun into crap. My sympathy to you for having to deal with it.

Obviously, DQ from the event and forfeit any prizes won. Outside of the Rules of Golf, I think a reasonable penalty would be ban the member from some of the club events. If you have a big yearly event, maybe ban him from that one. Or if you have an event each month, maybe ban him from the next months event.

Minimal DQ from the event

Possible 2 week suspension from the club and club events

Second offense would be 4 week suspension and banned from club tournaments indefinitely

To me, if he's score is in the 70s, he should be punished,

what difference does it make if he shoots 90s?

Golf is a "very personal" game, u can't keep yr eyes to players in yr group all time , just

to make sure they don't cheat.

He's just cheating himself!

It's a DQ without exception. Whatever happens subsequently or socially is open to doubt. At the very least, the offender carries the shame of being caught like a dead albatross around their neck for eternity. The punishment is the knowledge that they have committed the crime, to summarize the works of Dostoyevsky and Coleridge.

In Texas, we have capital punishment. I think cheating at golf would certainly qualify. But, if your club needs the dues, then you may have to find something else.

Do tell how he cheated and how he got caught!!!

To me if he definately and intentially cheated he should be banned from club competions for at least a year, he should also have his handicap withdrawn to stop him playing other courses - Golf is a game where you have to be honest and there are times when you have to call penatlies on yourself. How can someone who is prepared to falsify a card be expected to do this without the threat of punishment.

Now that's funny right there

I checked my state's statute, and the next punishment down from capital punishment is making one play with range balls for a year.

Many defendants opt for the capital punishment when faced with this.

Just cheating himself and all of his fellow competitors!



milboy - Perhaps sew a large red "C" on the chest of all his golf shirts (at his expense, of course)