I often state I am a disc golfer with 850 ability and 1050 intensity which can occasionally make things frustrating and more difficult than necessary as I treat the sport like those on the pro tour.
Recently got into an online argument stating the first rule of disc golf is never hit someone with a disc as opposed to the founder of the sport who stated it is "have fun". Over this weekend, a local hole was rerouted due to players having fun as opposed to respecting the property that bordered the course.
There was another an online disagreement about enforcing disc golf rules and I stated unless it is obvious or gives another player a significant advantage, I won't call it.
If I see another player do something out of inexperience that does not really help, I won't call it but mention so the player can learn.
On both open amateur cards at an event last year got the other three on the card mad at me after calling out a significant violation (playing from OB and moving a branch out of the way with the left hand to give a path to throw).
Also lost an event last year by stopping the person who beat me by one shot from playing a shot while his back foot was OB which would have incurred a one shot penalty.
Anyway, to what inspired this post:
The routing from 11-12 at 50 Acre park has confused players as it goes a sharp angle to the right causing people to think 15 which is left but easier to notice is next. Two weeks previously at a club round, players unfamiliar with the course walked to 15, saw the sign, and had to walk back to 12.
In round two, a group went the wrong way in spite of arrows painted into the ground and started to play the hole. The group behind them which apparently did not either notice their error or attempt to stop them just passed them on the course.
One of the players who played the wrong hole ended up tied for second and got upset when I mentioned to the TD what happened. He confronted me about taking the game too seriously. Here is an example of what was stated:
If you want to call out rules, play pro.
That is not a serious offense.
Why does it matter if we played the wrong hole since we did not count it?
Would you have called out yourself for doing that?
We are playing for fun.
My replies (or what I wished I would have said)
I would love to play pro and I am actually registered for a July event in MP50+ (mixed pro 50+) but I am currently trying to qualify to again play in the world championship as an amateur like I did in 2019 where all rules are strictly enforced.
Playing a hole out of order is specifically listed in the rules (was not 100% sure it was at the time) and throwing the hole out of sequence in the middle of the round can give a player an advantage and if it did not count it could help a player decide on their shot when played for real. Anyway, how did all four make that mistake in round two after playing it correctly in round one?
If the hole was not completed, all shots made before the error should be considered a practice shot with only a one stroke penalty each. If the hole was completed, two shots would be added to the score for the hole made the first time played and technically shots made the second time playing the hole would be considered practice shots penalized one each.
I called a stance violation against myself four weeks ago that the others in my group did not see nor wanted to enforce but I insisted needed to be applied. Also on the (10)A temp hole, my right foot was less than an inch from the line on my drive and mentioned to the group that I almost foot faulted.
I never want to win because another player made a mistake and got penalty strokes but find worse a player winning in spite of making a mistake that would incur a penalty but not having one assessed.
WE ARE PLAYING A SPORT! (Really wanted to say that but also did not want to get into a fight).
