PGA TOUR cheaters are hard to catch, but we know who they are.

[edjr 5,556]

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/undercover-tour-pro-cheaters-are-hard-to-catch-but-we-know-who-they-are?mbid=social_facebook

 

 

 

I've played in only one Masters, and this year I watched from home. Half my life I spend at golf tournaments, so usually the last thing I want to do is tune in, but the limited commercials and the beauty of that place get me. The world was excited about all the stars on the Sunday leader board—Serge, Rosey, Scotty, Rickie and Jordan—but I was pulling for Charley Hoffman. He's a friend, and I think it's a more amazing story whenever a journeyman wins.

Earlier in the week, I remember nearly spitting out my drink when I read what Phil Mickelson said in his press conference. His quote was, "I know a number of guys on tour that are loose with how they mark the ball and have not been called on it. I mean, they'll move the ball two, three inches in front of their mark, and this is an intentional way to get it out of any type of impression and so forth, and I think that kind of stuff needs to stop."

Now, if there's anyone prone to hyperbole, it's Phil. The truth is, there's exactly one guy who is known to mis-mark his ball by two or three inches. Ask any player about cheating, and they'll all tell you the same name. I was paired with this notorious individual recently, and I witnessed it. Using his hand to obscure the distance behind the ball, he picks up his coin so fast that you almost can't be certain of what you've just seen. But when you see it enough times, it becomes pretty obvious. What's more, this was just after the anchor ban, and he was using a long putter. He wears baggy shirts, but I could tell that he was anchoring. After the round, we got into a heated debate in the scoring trailer when I refused to sign his card. He claimed that if the end of his grip touched his chest, it was accidental. The way the rule is written, it's all about intent, and an official signed his card.

‘There are maybe 20 guys who deliberately fudge their mark within a half-inch.’

This dude knows he's a cheater, and he knows that everyone knows he's a cheater. No one wants to be paired with him or play practice rounds with him. Often you see him dining alone.

Back to what Phil said. I'd say there are maybe 20 guys who deliberately fudge their mark within a half-inch. It's hard to be definitive because the guys who do it are very good at it. Besides, I'm busy reading my putt. Even if you're paying close attention, it's difficult to call someone out when the area of contention is the width of a penny. You can tell an official to watch a guy, but only in the majors do we have an official with every group.

We're a gossipy bunch out here. But the reality is, players often aren't ostracized because the stories might circulate only within small groups of friends.

Just the other day, a buddy told me one from a recent weather delay. The horn sounds, and my buddy and another guy elect to finish the hole. The third player, whose ball is in a gnarly divot hole in the fairway, chooses to stop. The next morning, when they resume the round, my buddy is waiting by the green and says to his caddie, "No way this mother------ puts the ball back where it was." Sure enough, the shot comes sizzling into the green and spins back 10 feet—which is impossible from a divot. The guy goes on to finish well that weekend and rakes in a bunch of money and FedEx Cup points that should've gone to someone else.

Should my buddy have said something, to protect the field? Maybe, but nothing would've happened. These guys know who they are. Karma will come around.

 

 

 

I've always found it hilarious how people act as if PGA golfers are beyond reproach and would NEVER cheat.

 

Chance to win a sh1tload of money, if you thought you could get away with it. right you'd cheat.

[Reality 2,710]

So, is he saying Phil is cheating.. I'm not very smart and he lost me a bit..

[edjr 5,556]

So, is he saying Phil is cheating.. I'm not very smart and he lost me a bit..

 

Not sure, but I am 100% certain (some) golfers cheat, especially when there aren't cameras around.

 

Just like any sport. when you can win thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions. or get huge contracts. do think there isn't cheating is naive

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

He's not saying Phil is cheating but I'm curious who he's referring to with the baggy shirts.

 

For years, Vijay Singh has been known for it.

[Reality 2,710]

 

Not sure, but I am 100% certain (some) golfers cheat, especially when there aren't cameras around.

 

Just like any sport. when you can win thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions. or get huge contracts. do think there isn't cheating is naive

 

Agree completely about the etiquette and all that noise, way too much money on the line.. Fockers are looking for every possible advantage.

 

Shank one into a bush, attempt some goofy swing and get relief because they managed to find a sprinkler to put their foot on.. It's laughable sometimes the sh!t they get away with.

[edjr 5,556]

 

Agree completely about the etiquette and all that noise, way too much money on the line.. Fockers are looking for every possible advantage.

 

Shank one into a bush, attempt some goofy swing and get relief because they managed to find a sprinkler to put their foot on.. It's laughable sometimes the sh!t they get away with.

 

 

and that's the sh1t we SEE!

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Read through a thread on another forearm and someone said Billy Mayfair.

 

Baggy shirts and long putter. I thought Adam Scott but he doesn't do the baggy shirts.

[patweisers44 697]

Webb Simpson, Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar are ones that I have heard, in addition to Vijay, who is allegedly the biggest cheater of all....deer piss or otherwise.

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

https://i.imgflip.com/1qlq61.gif

 

It's Judge Smails.

[NorthernVike 2,080]

Hell, I cheat at golf and we only play for quarters.

[patweisers44 697]

https://i.imgflip.com/1qlq61.gif

 

It's Judge Smails.

Totally different FF.....Winter Rules!!!

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Totally different FF.....Winter Rules!!!

 

You...................you're no gentleman.

[edjr 5,556]

Hell, I cheat at golf and we only play for quarters.

 

 

I don't do much cheating, but i focking REFUSE to hit from a divot in the fairway. Fock that. also refuse to put through a crater on the green, (aka some douche didn't fix his ball mark)

[NorthernVike 2,080]

[supermike80 1,285]

I won't kick my ball from behind a tree or shave strokes, but I have done a generous Mark replace move and won't hit out of a divot on the fairway.

I've also taken and given a couple generous gimmies on the green.

 

It's about having fun.

[Reality 2,710]

 

 

I don't do much cheating, but i focking REFUSE to hit from a divot in the fairway. Fock that. also refuse to put through a crater on the green, (aka some douche didn't fix his ball mark)

 

Yup, I'm not hitting out of a divot in the fairway, ever.. Luckily, I'm not in the fairway often enough for that to be an issue.

[edjr 5,556]

I am great to play with, I will let you do pretty much anything.

 

as SM said. it's about having fun

 

Played in a couple tournaments at the club I joined this year. Guys you play with are such toolbags and sticklers for all the rules.

[supermike80 1,285]

I am great to play with, I will let you do pretty much anything.

 

as SM said. it's about having fun

 

Played in a couple tournaments at the club I joined this year. Guys you play with are such toolbags and sticklers for all the rules.

Rules are fine and I enjoy tgat part, with limits.

If my ball is in the bunker and is 99% buried but i can see a tiny bit of it, I'm supposed to play it as it lies.

No. I'll take a drop in the bunker and play that, thats still reasonable

[edjr 5,556]

Rules are fine and I enjoy tgat part, with limits.

If my ball is in the bunker and is 99% buried but i can see a tiny bit of it, I'm supposed to play it as it lies.

No. I'll take a drop in the bunker and play that, thats still reasonable

 

as bad as I am from the bunker, you could let me tee it up on a rock and I'd still not get it out

[supermike80 1,285]

 

as bad as I am from the bunker, you could let me tee it up on a rock and I'd still not get it out

Exactly. So why make it impossible?

[edjr 5,556]

Exactly. So why make it impossible?

 

couple years ago, was playing a good friend, $100 match, $10 birdies., 9 holes.

 

8th hole I hit it in the bunker, bunker was 100% water.

 

almost got into a fist fight because he wanted me to take a 1 shot penalty to take it out of the bunker (into the rough)

 

sure, the rule is it's 1 stroke penalty (101 reasons gold rules are retarded)

 

but I would have NEVER made someone take a penalty to take it out of a bunker filled with water.

 

he ended up letting me take it out without penalty, I lost the match anyway

[supermike80 1,285]

 

couple years ago, was playing a good friend, $100 match, $10 birdies., 9 holes.

 

8th hole I hit it in the bunker, bunker was 100% water.

 

almost got into a fist fight because he wanted me to take a 1 shot penalty to take it out of the bunker (into the rough)

 

sure, the rule is it's 1 stroke penalty (101 reasons gold rules are retarded)

 

but I would have NEVER made someone take a penalty to take it out of a bunker filled with water.

 

he ended up letting me take it out without penalty, I lost the match anyway

Is it a penalty though if you can't drop in the bunker without dropping back in the water? Cruzer???

[edjr 5,556]

Is it a penalty though if you can't drop in the bunker without dropping back in the water? Cruzer???

 

Yes it is.

 

you can drop it back into the water for no penalty, but if you take it out, it is a 1 stroke penalty.

 

golf rules are focking retarded

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

I play it as it lies 95% of the time. Since I don't get free clubs, I'm not hitting off of hardpan, rocks or roots. Divots in fairway.........yeah, I play it there.

 

Some other exceptions I'll consider; lost ball in bermuda rough right off fairway or in leaves. The pros have people spotting their ball for them; we do not. Also, tee markers placed on areas of tee boxes that aren't very level (leaving you teeing off sidehill or uphill lie where the greenskeeper put the tee markers). I'll move it to a relatively flat area to tee off from. Again; pros don't have to deal with that sh!t.

[supermike80 1,285]

I play it as it lies 95% of the time. Since I don't get free clubs, I'm not hitting off of hardpan, rocks or roots. Divots in fairway.........yeah, I play it there.

 

Some other exceptions I'll consider; lost ball in bermuda rough right off fairway or in leaves. The pros have people spotting their ball for them; we do not. Also, tee markers placed on areas of tee boxes that aren't very level (leaving you teeing off sidehill or uphill lie where the greenskeeper put the tee markers). I'll move it to a relatively flat area to tee off from. Again; pros don't have to deal with that sh!t.

Agree 100% about lost balls, if it's reasonable and everyone can track it off the tee. If you hit it in the woods and lose it, penalty

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Agree 100% about lost balls, if it's reasonable and everyone can track it off the tee. If you hit it in the woods and lose it, penalty

 

Exactly.

 

You ever play on Bermuda grass man? First cut of rough you have to pretty much step on your ball to find it. Sinks way down in there and is tough to catch it clean.

[supermike80 1,285]

 

Exactly.

 

You ever play on Bermuda grass man? First cut of rough you have to pretty much step on your ball to find it. Sinks way down in there and is tough to catch it clean.

Totally get it. Plus, gotta keep moving

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Totally get it. Plus, gotta keep moving

 

Our club has twilight rates now beginning at 3:00 PM ($10 to ride) and to get in 18 you got to play pretty quick.

[supermike80 1,285]

 

Our club has twilight rates now beginning at 3:00 PM ($10 to ride) and to get in 18 you got to play pretty quick.

Jeez thsts a good rate. I pay $9 to walk 9 in my league. Twilight. I like walking 9 but gotta ride 18

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Jeez thsts a good rate. I pay $9 to walk 9 in my league. Twilight. I like walking 9 but gotta ride 18

 

And they'll let you out at 2:45 with the course being wide open. I've gotten a round played in about 1:45 minutes. You could walk for $5 or ride for $10.....

 

I like walking (will do 18 no problem) but $5 more to ride is stupid cheap.

[ROCKFORD 134]

disc golfers never cheat.

[Cruzer 1,992]

We had a well known cheater in our group, was caught more than once... One time it led to a 19th hole brawl - a thrown chair got us kicked out as a group........ But for the most part we have no problems. Play it down most times, weather permitted.. The most common beef is guys not taking the proper line of sight relief from water hazards.

[listen2me 23 1,541]

 

 

I don't do much cheating, but i focking REFUSE to hit from a divot in the fairway. Fock that. also refuse to put through a crater on the green, (aka some douche didn't fix his ball mark)

Arent you the one who said OB is dumb and you just drop the ball where it went out? Maybe I am thinking of someone else.

[dain11279 927]

 

 

I don't do much cheating, but i focking REFUSE to hit from a divot in the fairway.

 

The only leeway we have in our matches addresses this. You can roll it in your own fairway 6 inches so this is never a problem. Our fairways aren't exactly Augusta-esque so it's a good exception.

 

Other then that we go by all the rules

[edjr 5,556]

Arent you the one who said OB is dumb and you just drop the ball where it went out? Maybe I am thinking of someone else.

 

You are correct.

 

That is our league rules and the way we play to speed up play. We play quota, so eh.

 

Not if playing in a tournament or competitively.

[Cruzer 1,992]

2 rules off the top of my head we let slide:

 

* The one ball rule... Def have to finish out the hole with ball you started, but can switch out during the round.

* 14 club rule - if testing one out, can carry a 15th stick.

[listen2me 23 1,541]

Our group goes by all the rules. But we usually ask for relief off a root, rocks to an extent, a divot in fairway. And most always anyone would say sure move it off that stuff.

 

I second cruzers 2 rules. We will give eachother crap if they have 15, but no one really cares. And yeah change your ball whenever you want, but not during a hole.

 

No one is going back to the tee if we can't find a ball or it kicks OB. If it is anywhere close, we will just hit a provisional.

 

And obviously if in a tournament of any kind will play by all the rules as much as possible.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

If I lose a ball in the rough, but not oob, i assume that if I played in the PGA, a spectator would find it. So I drop where I think it should be with no penalty.

[frank 2,144]

The golf rulebook should be 3 pages.

[IMMensaMind 459]

 

I don't do much cheating, but i focking REFUSE to hit from a divot in the fairway. Fock that. also refuse to put through a crater on the green, (aka some douche didn't fix his ball mark)

A lot of people don't understand the real purpose of filling a divot in the fairway. It isn't to regrow the grass. It's to make sure a ball rolling to a divot bounces off the elevated pile of sand you filled it with to ensure the next guy doesn't have a shtty lie.

 

That's why you should not fill the divot with sand/seed and then smash it down. Leave it slightly elevated above the surrounding fairway.