Golf course
Photo by Myron Drawdy / Unsplash
"A question of honor"
Dan of Golden, Colorado writes:
I'm a new golfer. Player A hits onto green. Player B is in the rough but closer to the pin. Whose turn is it?
Your question gives me a great opportunity to "strut my stuff." One reason I was considered a decent teacher was due to something I had learned from my original mentor, golf professional Richard Eduard "Bumps" Barnes. (RIP)
He taught me the value of answering a students question with a question. Students learn faster and better when they are taught how to help themselves. (Plus they soon learn to quit bothering you and start figuring it out for themselves.)
So Dan, before you read the answer below, please answer my question - "Who do you think should go first ?" Just remember whatever you decide must also apply to all other shots on the course.
So how does the following answer compare to yours?
It is always the player who is the farthest from the hole who has "the honor." Having "the honor" simply means it's their turn to play and it doesn't matter whether their ball is on the green or in a sand trap.
When you stop and think about it, it's the only logical way to play the game of golf. Could you suggest any other way for a number of players to play golf from tee to green without fighting over who's turn it is? Think about it!
Having "the honor" also means you have the right to allow someone closer to the hole to go ahead of you - but it's completely your choice. Often we do allow someone closer to go ahead of us in order to help speed up play but that's another story for another day.
About the Author
Pat Dolan, Golf Professional, specialized in teaching for over 42 years.
The late Pat Dolan taught golf at such prestigious golf courses as "The Colonial Country Club" in Fort Worth, Texas, "The Country Club" in Salt Lake City, Utah and "The Palm Springs Country Club" in the world famous golfing resort of Palm Springs, California. He was the Head Professional at the "The Russell Municipal Golf Course" in Russell, Kansas, "The Jal Country Club" in Jal, New Mexico and "The Riveria Golf Course" in Palm Springs, California. He graduated from the second PGA school in January 1958. It was held at the PGA National Headquarters in Dunedin, Florida. He served as chairman of the education committee for the New Mexico Chapter of the Southwest Section of the PGA for 2 years 1965 and 1966.
Golfers Lee Trevino, Sandra Palmer, Carlynne Whitworth and General James Wilson sought his advice before they became famous.
In his playing career he won a number of professional tournaments and set 7 course records.
He wrote "How to Turn Bogeys Into Birdies" (c)1988" and "The Worlds Greatest Golf Teacher" (c)1994. Pat also authored two newspaper golf columns and a golf advice letter Golfers Improving Easily and Affordably, guaranteed to instantly improve any golfers game.
His business career included serving as consultant to many golf course owners and The Tony Llama Boot Co. The Braille Institute and the John Riley Golf Co. also as loan officer of the Clarendon Trust Co. in Arlington, Virginia and sales manager for various companies. He is the designer of the Sure Out sand wedge in the Ben Hogan line of clubs.
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