A great deal of business is conducted on the golf course and asking business advice would be completely acceptable. I mean, it is the perfect place to talk shop and I am sure many million dollar deals are closed on the links. However, asking advice about golf while playing is a complete no-no! Yet, most of us still do!

Here is what the governing body says about asking/giving advice:

10.2a Advice
During a round, a player must not:

~ Give advice to anyone in the competition who is playing on the course,
~ Ask anyone for advice, other than the player’s caddie, or
~ Touch another player’s equipment to learn information that would be advice if given by or asked of the other player (such as touching the other player’s clubs or bag to see what club is being used).

This does not apply before a round, while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a or between rounds in a competition.

See Rules 22, 23 and 24 (in forms of play involving partners, a player may give advice to his or her partner or the partner’s caddie and may ask the partner or partner’s caddie for advice).

From Rules of Golf dated January 2019

As you can see, unless you are a partner or caddie, forget asking advice – it is against the rules! Well, I am not sure this is a good rule or not and most of you agree:

Forget the rules, do you ever ask your playing partners for advice on golf shots during a friendly round (not competition)? #golfchat #QuestionOfTheDay

— The Grateful Golfer (@TheGratefulGolf) August 3, 2019

Personally, I think this rule is for competition only. I can see how a player would gain an unfair advantage going last all the time and asking about club selection and such. However, during a friendly this rule is crazy. Of course most friends talk to each other and help each other out.

During my rounds, I give plenty of advice or we discuss the course conditions. Ultimately, each play has to make their own decision and hit their own ball. That is something I cannot do. Additionally, playing a new course with a member, it is expected that the member will provide helpful course advice to make the round more enjoyable.

I realize this flies in the face of convention, but I believe that this rule of asking or giving advice should apply to competition only. It adds no value to friendly matches and should be ignored.

What do you think?

I am a grateful golfer! See you the links!