Should cheaters get a 2nd chance?
In a previous post I talked about about sandbaggers (a nice word for cheaters) in state tournaments. Today I’m playing a practice round in preparation for a tournament tomorrow in one of the 3 men’s clubs I’m in.
I found out that a guy who was kicked out of the club for cheating is now back in the club. I’m disappointed in the board for letting this guy back in. He’s been busted cheating on many occasions, one which got him a $450 random skin in the club. It seems he used a “foot wedge” on a hole and wrote himself down for an eagle. Someone saw him do it and he was kicked out of the club two years ago.
I played with this guy once and he’d obviously knocked a ball OB on #12. My friend and I turn around and all the sudden he finds his ball by the green with a really nice lie in the rough. That ball wasn’t there before.
Sad thing is this guy is a +2 handicap and should be able to beat just about anyone without cheating.
So my question (and poll question too) is:
Should cheaters get a 2nd chance?
My opinion: Once a cheat, always a cheat. NO
So Vijay Singh? Colin Montgomerie?
Here’s my thought on the subject. When you’re out playing with your buddy and you’re both laid back golfers and if you shank a drive and it’s cool with him, it’s ok to rehit another. However when you’re playing in a tournament situation especially when you’re playing for a nice sum of like $450, everyone should have to play by the rules which means no cheating. If someone is caught cheating, I say no remittence.
I figured someone would mention Vijay on this. What did Mrs. Doubtfire do? I can’t remember.
If you are going to bend the rules a bit in a friendly game, what makes you think it won’t continue in a local tournament? Habits die hard.
I say you should start off the way you intend to continue.
Name one other sport that relies on people calling penalties on themselves. This is a good test of a persons’ integrity. If they can’t do the right thing in a simple game of golf, what does it say about their veracity (honesty – new word for the day!) away from the course?
Last week I shot a 12 on one hole and proclaimed to everyone in my group that I was taking a 10. I’m not quite sure if I’m a cheat, a bad golfer or just plain stupid. I’ve only been keeping track of my score this year so I justify it in my mind.
With your buddies – whatever goes. In a tournament – strictly by the rules.
Knocking your score down from a 12 to a 10 may be perfectly fine. In fact if you are reporting it, it may be required for “equitable stroke control.”
In my state with my handicap, the highest score I can post is a double bogey. If I had a meltdown day and posted 10’s on every hole that wouldn’t be a fair representation of my handi and I’d start moving into the sandbagger area…