[scotto69]

It seems a lot of golfers have a big problem with someone saying "Get in the hole" etc... when they putt.

I actually watched the best players at a local course play a money game and a player said that - the guy putting got pissed and said "Don't talk to my f**king ball!!" as if the guy had said "Miss it!" or "Lip out!"

Is this really that big a deal? It would get old of course if someone said it every putt but it seems like if the guy who says it is known to be an ok guy, maybe he's just commentating on a good looking shot. Gamesmanship is one thing, but it seems people get a little too serious when they start demanding no one say anything until the ball stops rolling.

I can't believe anyone seriously believes that it makes any difference to whether or not the putt goes in.

[Yepyukon]

Well, I can see it from both sides really.

Golf used to be the "gentlemen's game" and people acted accordingly. There have been many times where the crowds have gotten completely rude towards players which lowers the value of the game imo and it has to be annoying at times for Tiger to hear "get in the hole" on every...single...shot. Hell, it is annoying for me and I am watching on TV!

On the other hand, the golfers are performers for the people and getting the crowd behind you can be a wonderful thing.

I personally have never, and will never, yell at someones golf ball on tour but I do yell at my fellow golfers balls to stay left, get a kick, check, etc...

of course in your case, it sounds like the guy putting was either pressing or just lost a press

[mission_scratch]

I read somewhere on here that its an unwritten rule on tour never to talk to anyone else's ball... I dont think its a big deal... but to each their own I quess... but when I play in our Men's Assoc tournys I hear that alot... I think its Good sportsmanship to show that you want your opp. to do well.. but when playing in a match play tourny or stroke play.. do you REALLY want your opps ball to "get in the hole"? lol...

[kitsoasis]

mission_scratch, on May 9 2009, 12:45 PM, said:

I read somewhere on here that its an unwritten rule on tour never to talk to anyone else's ball... I dont think its a big deal... but to each their own I quess... but when I play in our Men's Assoc tournys I hear that alot... I think its Good sportsmanship to show that you want your opp. to do well.. but when playing in a match play tourny or stroke play.. do you REALLY want your opps ball to "get in the hole"? lol...

Of course. I think it's a healthy attitude to have, I generally don't like to wish misfortune upon others. For me, the best way to think about it is to hope you opponent plays well, and for yourself to play even better.

As for talking to other people's balls, well if its a stranger and we get along well during the round then I probably would, if not then no. With friends, definitely.

p.s. If you don't like it, I guess you can politely tell them that it's distracting. No need to get too worked up, I'm sure they mean the best anyway.

[iteachgolf]

I hate when people talk to my ball. I can get pretty upset about it at times. Especially when I hit a bad shot and some yells "come back", "bounce left", "stay in", "get up", etc. I've already hit a bad shot and wherever it ends up it ends up. It always seems to happen when you've hit a bad shot aned are already upset. Maybe its because I've played so much tournament golf and its an unspoken rule that you don't talk to someones ball. I also hate when someone says great shot everytime you hit it halfway decent, especially when you hit a wedge to 30 feet and look pissed. I don't care in playing lessons or anything but if money is on the line pay attention to your own ball.

[Ogre41]

I see no reason to get mad at someone who is talking to your ball. Especially if they are wishing that something good happen. I guess if they are telling it to behave poorly then it's not cool. But that's not really because they are wishing ill on your ball, it's because that's a telling sign that they are a donkey. And I have little time for donkeys.

[breakinpar]

Relax, it's just a damn game.

[italianstallion]

I don't talk to anyone else's ball unless they are a friend or I have gotten along with them in the round alright. If they're uptight, forget it, I'll keep the thoughts to myself. I don't wish for a good kick or bounce after someone hits poor shot though, just doesn't seem right.

iteachgolf , on May 8 2009, 11:00 PM, said:

I hate when people talk to my ball. I can get pretty upset about it at times. Especially when I hit a bad shot and some yells "come back", "bounce left", "stay in", "get up", etc. I've already hit a bad shot and wherever it ends up it ends up. It always seems to happen when you've hit a bad shot aned are already upset. Maybe its because I've played so much tournament golf and its an unspoken rule that you don't talk to someones ball. I also hate when someone says great shot everytime you hit it halfway decent, especially when you hit a wedge to 30 feet and look pissed. I don't care in playing lessons or anything but if money is on the line pay attention to your own ball.

I agree on the tournament thing. I'm in my own zone.

As for casual rounds, it bothers me when someone says "good shot" after a mediocre/bad shot. Many golfers feel on the green from 100 yards out is great, so I get "great shot" even when I hang a wedge out to the right 25 feet from the hole. I mean, I always thank them, but it just bugs me because its really not a "great shot" in my mind.

[stevestrike]

breakinpar, on May 8 2009, 10:29 PM, said:

Relax, it's just a damn game.

++ Just be glad you don't have me talking to your ball. I live to make uptight people like that blow a fuse.

A guy I was playing with tonight hit a chipshot to the green, with water on the other side. It was skidding along pretty fast, and I said, "Hustle!" It rolled off the green and dropped into the water. The other guys thought that was pretty funny.

[xtremeinaz]

If I am on the green and some one is chipping up and skulls it or hits a runner I say "sit" sometimes. I guess I better stop.

[StaffBag]

All I have to say is this....

Get your mouth off my ball!

[irvtrain]

Its more of jinx or hex on your opponent than anything else. In a serious competition you maybe making mockery of your opponent without realizing it. Like get in the hole while the putt is halfway there and it doesn't go in it looks like jinx you put on the putt. Personally I don't care, go about your own business and don't worry about what your competitors are saying.

[medic170979]

If you read Rick Reilly's book "Who's Your Caddy," he totes that bag of former Master's winner Tommy Aaron for a practice round who sternly tells him, "Get you mouth off my ball!!" I still LMAO when I think of that when someone tells my shot to get down and its clearly coming up short. Sorry, just had to throw that one in!

[mikec222]

I think it really doesn't matter, cause I doubt the ball will listen.

However, if you have found a ball that does listen to instructions from playing partners please pm me

[DRGJR72]

Could care less...played professionally for 14 years and while over the top stuff was a little annoying (excessive good shot, etc...still not big enough of a deal to bother me) if someone in my group showed some love to my ball that was a little errant and was trying to throw some mojo to keep it from going where it should not....I appreciated it.

There are too many people that are wound way to tight in this game and need to chill out, IMO. It is not like you are playing in the US Open and your life depends on it. Relax. Even so..if you are playing in some section event or mini tour...if you can't deal with that, you are definitely not going to be able to deal with the stuff at the Tour level. It is a circus out there and if you can't deal with some guy saying "get left" or "bite" you have no chance.

People that are talking to your ball are just trying to show support for you and your game. In the grand scheme of things it is not that big of a deal.

[iteachgolf]

I'd agree. I'm working on caring less and I can tell you I don't have the mind to make it to the top of the game. The funny thing is I'm very relaxed off the course. For some reason when that tee goes in the ground I get very tightly wound and can have a short fuse.

[mission_scratch]

DRGJR72, on May 9 2009, 12:23 AM, said:

Could care less...played professionally for 14 years and while over the top stuff was a little annoying (excessive good shot, etc...still not big enough of a deal to bother me) if someone in my group showed some love to my ball that was a little errant and was trying to throw some mojo to keep it from going where it should not....I appreciated it.

There are too many people that are wound way to tight in this game and need to chill out, IMO. It is not like you are playing in the US Open and your life depends on it. Relax. Even so..if you are playing in some section event or mini tour...if you can't deal with that, you are definitely not going to be able to deal with the stuff at the Tour level. It is a circus out there and if you can't deal with some guy saying "get left" or "bite" you have no chance.

People that are talking to your ball are just trying to show support for you and your game. In the grand scheme of things it is not that big of a deal.

and that about sums it up....lol...nice post

[DRGJR72]

iteachgolf , on May 8 2009, 09:31 PM, said:

I'd agree. I'm working on caring less and I can tell you I don't have the mind to make it to the top of the game. The funny thing is I'm very relaxed off the course. For some reason when that tee goes in the ground I get very tightly wound and can have a short fuse.

Isn't it weird how the most docile of people off the course can turn into a nut on the golf course??? One of the weird things this game does to people (myself included). But I guess that is part of the challenge....being able to manage all facets of the game. Sometimes you are able to do it better than others and I guess that is why it is intriguing to many people....the challenge of it all.

Gotta love it.

[housey63]

I don't mind the odd, "get up" or "go left" I hate when other players commentate every shot

[CStanford]

I can't stand it when somebody talks to my golf ball.

[mtsmith]

iteachgolf , on May 8 2009, 10:00 PM, said:

I hate when people talk to my ball. I can get pretty upset about it at times. Especially when I hit a bad shot and some yells "come back", "bounce left", "stay in", "get up", etc. I've already hit a bad shot and wherever it ends up it ends up. It always seems to happen when you've hit a bad shot aned are already upset. Maybe its because I've played so much tournament golf and its an unspoken rule that you don't talk to someones ball. I also hate when someone says great shot everytime you hit it halfway decent, especially when you hit a wedge to 30 feet and look pissed. I don't care in playing lessons or anything but if money is on the line pay attention to your own ball.

I agree. It is already a bad shot/putt...I know it is a bad shot/putt, they know it is already a bad shot/putt, they know that I know it is a bad shot/putt...just leave it at that. It just adds to the frustration of hitting the shot bad. Comment on a good shot. Only comment on a bad shot if the person that hit the shot lost sight of the ball and needs to know where it went or help finding it.
I understand most do this as a courtesy and mean no ill harm, but when its goin south, I don't like the reminder.

[KJ25]

Does Tiger's "GET IN THE HOLE!!!" Guy attend every tournament? It does seem like the same voice. This may need some investigation...

[mtsmith]

^^^haha. which guy. seems like he brings about 500 with him to each event. I am a tiger fan, as well as a fan of the 'field' and like to see them hit good shots but as many other threads about 'get in the hole' have said......STOP YELLING IT!!!

[Baxpin]

I don't like it when people early call putts. It seems like everytime the ball is a foot away from the hole and that guy says "Nice Birdie" it never seems to go in. Ever.

[Boba]

I don't mind people talking to my ball as long it is good advice. There's nothing worse than hitting a wedge and some sparkler yells "SIT!!!!" only to have it check up 10 feet short of the pin. My balls are easily swayed.

[roll - gybe]

I hate it when people talk to my ball.

Usually it's not the encouragement or the humor that is the problem. It's telling a duck hook to slice or push fade to draw. -- Those are stupid things to say, and people say them all the time. They are saying them while I'm unhappy about my shot.

[BankerGolfer]

Lighten up please. As you said, you're not exactly playing tournament golf when others are just trying to be nice to your ball (and you).

If it really bothers you that much, when you're a single, just make a tee time for 4 and don't let anyone else join you....

iteachgolf , on May 8 2009, 11:00 PM, said:

I hate when people talk to my ball. I can get pretty upset about it at times. Especially when I hit a bad shot and some yells "come back", "bounce left", "stay in", "get up", etc. I've already hit a bad shot and wherever it ends up it ends up. It always seems to happen when you've hit a bad shot aned are already upset. Maybe its because I've played so much tournament golf and its an unspoken rule that you don't talk to someones ball. I also hate when someone says great shot everytime you hit it halfway decent, especially when you hit a wedge to 30 feet and look pissed. I don't care in playing lessons or anything but if money is on the line pay attention to your own ball.

[HackerPratt]

As soon as my ball starts to listen, then I will have a problem with that.


True story...a few years ago I was playing in a local US Open qual and on the second hole my playing partner striped a 6i right at the flag and I was standing about 20' away from him..while in the air I said "get in" and it one hopped, hit the pin and stayed 2" away from the cup. As my playing partner walked towards me I said, "nice shot" and he proceeded to spit tobacco juice on my shoe and he said "Boy, keep your mouth off my ball!" We didn't say a word to eachother for the next 33 holes (this was when the local qual was a 36 hole event, now it is only 18).

Sounds like a crazy story, but my wife was there carrying my bag and she still tells the story.

[iteachgolf]

BankerGolfer, on May 10 2009, 02:00 PM, said:

Lighten up please. As you said, you're not exactly playing tournament golf when others are just trying to be nice to your ball (and you).

If it really bothers you that much, when you're a single, just make a tee time for 4 and don't let anyone else join you....

iteachgolf , on May 8 2009, 11:00 PM, said:

I hate when people talk to my ball. I can get pretty upset about it at times. Especially when I hit a bad shot and some yells "come back", "bounce left", "stay in", "get up", etc. I've already hit a bad shot and wherever it ends up it ends up. It always seems to happen when you've hit a bad shot aned are already upset. Maybe its because I've played so much tournament golf and its an unspoken rule that you don't talk to someones ball. I also hate when someone says great shot everytime you hit it halfway decent, especially when you hit a wedge to 30 feet and look pissed. I don't care in playing lessons or anything but if money is on the line pay attention to your own ball.

I don't play as a single. I play tournament golf on various mini tours, money games, or rounds with clients. I believe I said it only bothers me in tournaments and when money is on the line.

[Yepyukon]

Well, I play the Callaway Tour IX and according to the commercials, it is a good ball and listens.

I talk to my ball all the time when I play so if someone else says something to it, it doesnt bother me. In tournament play, I wont say anything as usually the people I see around me are ready to slit their wrist if they miss a shot.

Funny thing is I have a good friend who is the best player I know and off the course he talks a lot but on the course, he is one of the nicest and easy going players I know...haha

[TamaleFestival]

So you guys are saying....... When my buddy blades his his 20 yard pitch shots and I yell "HIT A HOUSE!!!!", it's not appropriate???

[QWKDTSN]

HackerPratt, on May 10 2009, 11:34 AM, said:

As soon as my ball starts to listen, then I will have a problem with that.


True story...a few years ago I was playing in a local US Open qual and on the second hole my playing partner striped a 6i right at the flag and I was standing about 20' away from him..while in the air I said "get in" and it one hopped, hit the pin and stayed 2" away from the cup. As my playing partner walked towards me I said, "nice shot" and he proceeded to spit tobacco juice on my shoe and he said "Boy, keep your mouth off my ball!" We didn't say a word to eachother for the next 33 holes (this was when the local qual was a 36 hole event, now it is only 18).

Sounds like a crazy story, but my wife was there carrying my bag and she still tells the story.

I am not a violent or combatative guy AT ALL, haven't been in a fight since I was 10 years old, but if someone spit chaw juice on me and called me 'boy' I would probably break his nose right then and there!

[Golf Monkey]

It is important to talk to a ball in the language of the country of its manufacture.

[stevestrike]

QWKDTSN, on May 10 2009, 02:58 PM, said:

HackerPratt, on May 10 2009, 11:34 AM, said:

he proceeded to spit tobacco juice on my shoe and he said "Boy, keep your mouth off my ball!" We didn't say a word to eachother for the next 33 holes (this was when the local qual was a 36 hole event, now it is only 18).

I am not a violent or combatative guy AT ALL, haven't been in a fight since I was 10 years old, but if someone spit chaw juice on me and called me 'boy' I would probably break his nose right then and there!

I was thinking the same thing. You go pulling that kinda mess down here, and you'll find yourself in trouble pretty quick. Personally, I would have dropped that guy on the spot.

[BankerGolfer]

+1.

That guy is an insensitive jerk.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's asking people now if they want to supersize their order....

stevestrike, on May 10 2009, 04:24 PM, said:

QWKDTSN, on May 10 2009, 02:58 PM, said:

HackerPratt, on May 10 2009, 11:34 AM, said:

he proceeded to spit tobacco juice on my shoe and he said "Boy, keep your mouth off my ball!" We didn't say a word to eachother for the next 33 holes (this was when the local qual was a 36 hole event, now it is only 18).

I am not a violent or combatative guy AT ALL, haven't been in a fight since I was 10 years old, but if someone spit chaw juice on me and called me 'boy' I would probably break his nose right then and there!

I was thinking the same thing. You go pulling that kinda mess down here, and you'll find yourself in trouble pretty quick. Personally, I would have dropped that guy on the spot.

[BankerGolfer]

I stand corrected. I didn't see your earlier post to that effect.

You have every reason and right to dislike people talking to your ball when in a tournament or money is on the line. I'd feel the same way were I in those situations.

iteachgolf , on May 10 2009, 03:04 PM, said:

BankerGolfer, on May 10 2009, 02:00 PM, said:

Lighten up please. As you said, you're not exactly playing tournament golf when others are just trying to be nice to your ball (and you).

If it really bothers you that much, when you're a single, just make a tee time for 4 and don't let anyone else join you....

iteachgolf , on May 8 2009, 11:00 PM, said:

I hate when people talk to my ball. I can get pretty upset about it at times. Especially when I hit a bad shot and some yells "come back", "bounce left", "stay in", "get up", etc. I've already hit a bad shot and wherever it ends up it ends up. It always seems to happen when you've hit a bad shot aned are already upset. Maybe its because I've played so much tournament golf and its an unspoken rule that you don't talk to someones ball. I also hate when someone says great shot everytime you hit it halfway decent, especially when you hit a wedge to 30 feet and look pissed. I don't care in playing lessons or anything but if money is on the line pay attention to your own ball.

I don't play as a single. I play tournament golf on various mini tours, money games, or rounds with clients. I believe I said it only bothers me in tournaments and when money is on the line.

[jamho3]

I think "not talking to my ball" is the way to go.

[mrhills0146]

You can dislike it but no reason to be a jerk about it. If you cannot ignore one of your fellow competitors talking to your ball, you don't have a prayer of handling the pressure of tournament golf or money games. It's your problem, not the ball-talker's problem.

It may irritate some players but I'd hardly consider it a breach of etiquette.

[stage1350]

I play with one group of guys that feels talking to someone elses ball "black cats" it. The rest of the people I play with don't care.

As it has been stated above, there are better things to get worked up about. Someone talking to my ball isn't the problem. It was the crappy shot I made.

[jaycajun]

Hmmm, I wonder how the pros feel when they tee off on a LONG par 4 or par 5 and the idiots in the gallery scream "GET IN THE HOLE!". Man, they are just idiots. Plain and simple....... Is it just me?