GOLF DIGEST COMMUNITY
A Debate of Inches We asked our panel of golf obsessives, “Would you ever call a penalty on someone for teeing off in front of the markers?”
Keely Levins, contributing writer: In a junior tournament, I saw a girl tee up in front of the markers, and I said, “Hey, I think you’re in front of the markers.” Then her dad started yelling at her, Move the ball back! She was so in the zone that she didn’t hear him either, and she hit it. I had to call the penalty on her, which did not feel great. If I’m playing in something of consequence, I’ll say something before they hit. If we’re playing in anything else, I’m not going to say anything. An honest mis- take of an inch or two just isn’t worth what’s basically guaranteed to be a tense interaction. Max Adler, editorial director: A close friend once called this penalty on himself in a club championship quali- fier, just missed match play, then won the whole thing the next year. Karma works. To avoid unpleasantness, let’s all just make a habit of teeing a solid foot behind the markers from now on. – EDITED BY DREW POWELL
Christopher Powers, senior writer: The only time I’d even consider such traffic-cop be-
Sam Weinman, digital editorial director: The short answer is no, I couldn’t see myself doing this. The lone potential exception would be a variation of all the “He started it!” arguments we’d revert to as kids. Imagine we’re playing, and you’ve suddenly decided you’re Slug ger White ( PGA Tour rules official ). You question if my drops are slightly above my knees or if I’m using a different kind of ball than I started with. You want to do petty? I CAN DO PETTY. Not only did you tee off in front of the markers back there, but you were 30 seconds late to the first tee, and I’m sorry to say you’ve already been DQ’d. Dave Shedloski, contributing editor: Depends. If I notice it, I would stop him before he committed the infraction. If I didn’t notice it before he hit, I would point out what he had done and leave it to him to assess the penalty on himself. Now, if we are playing a match, then all bets are off, and I am taking advantage of his error and calling it out.
haviour is if I genuinely hated the per- son. And I rarely, if ever, find myself playing with people I genuinely hate. Now, if it’s in a competition, I could may- be see myself mentioning to them that they should back up a step, just to pro- tect the field. Casual round with a few bucks on the line? So long as they aren’t deliberately teeing it up five to 10 yards closer to the hole, who the hell cares? E Michael Johnson, equipment editor: Well, I have two answers. In match play, there is no penalty, and although I’m entitled to make them re-tee, I’m not going to be that petty. Stroke play is dif- ferent. I’m obligated to protect the field and don’t get to choose which rules we play by, so, sorry, pal, add two and re-tee. That said, if I’m aware someone is ahead of the markers, I would let them know before they hit. Not doing so and then calling it out seems the greater offence.
20 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MARCH/APRIL 2026
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