Harper Lin
Golf is an individual sport that relies on honesty and integrity to make it a game that everyone can enjoy. While recreational golfers don't have to be too concerned with following every rule, it's important to remember that no one likes a cheater. From the Balldropper to the Foot Wedger, here are some common cheating tactics and ways to spot them, so you can ensure your game stays fair and fun.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Moving the ball to avoid puddles, muddy patches, or saturated ground | Golf cheaters may move their ball to dry ground to improve their shot |
| Playing "the pros don't have to deal with this" rules | Cheaters may call damaged greens or deadpan near the green or fairway as "GUR" and move the ball |
| Using the "foot wedge" | Golfers may use their foot to move the ball away from obstacles like trees, cart paths, or rocks to avoid damaging their clubs |
| Hitting into water hazards and dropping on the other side | Instead of hitting multiple balls into the water, cheaters may drop the ball on the other side and chip it ahead |
| Playing out-of-bounds tee shots as lateral hazards | Cheaters may ignore out-of-bounds rules to avoid taking a second or third tee shot, especially with other golfers waiting behind them |
| Retrieving a ball from the pocket and placing it near the original location | Rookie balldroppers retrieve a ball from their pocket and place it near where their first ball was lost, usually in a better spot |
| Using the "pant-leg trick" | Experienced balldroppers cut a hole in their pocket and let the ball fall through their pant leg, pretending they found their ball after hitting it into the woods, water, or rough |
| Failing to hole the last putt | Some golfers may refuse to putt out on their last shot, claiming they always make shots from that distance and counting it as made |
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What You'll Learn
The Balldropper
A rookie Balldropper will retrieve a ball from their pocket and place it in the general vicinity of where their first ball went missing, usually in a better spot. An experienced Balldropper, however, might use the old pant-leg trick: they cut a hole in their pocket, allowing the ball to fall through the hole, down their leg, and out the bottom of the pant leg. This makes it appear as though the ball was found after taking a lucky kick or bounce. For added flair, they might even claim that it landed in a great lie.
Balldroppers will also use a golf club, foot, or hand to improve their lie. For example, if their ball ends up behind a tree, they will give it a little kick with their foot and express relief at their good fortune.
If you suspect someone of being a Balldropper, it is best to avoid playing with them again. If they cheat at golf, they will likely cheat in other areas of life. You can also call them out immediately, explaining what you have seen, and advise them that you will not sign their card if you are their marker.
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The Foot Wedger
If you suspect someone of being a Foot Wedger, you have a few options. You could choose to ignore it and continue playing with them, but this may take away from the integrity of the game. Alternatively, you could call them out on their cheating and refuse to play with them again. You could also try to beat them at their own game by employing some of the same cheating tactics yourself. Ultimately, the best course of action depends on your own personal beliefs and how competitive you want the game to be.
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The I Would Have Made That Anyway (IWHMTA)
The "I Would Have Made That Anyway" (IWHMTA) cheat is a common move in golf. This cheat just can't be bothered to hole his last putt. He might say, "Hey, I always make 'em from that distance! Why should I bother to actually putt out?" The IWHMTA is secretly terrified he's going to miss that 3-footer for par, so he walks up with the putter in one hand and makes a casual swipe at the ball, sending it toward the hole. If the ball goes in, great! If not, he wasn't even trying, so it's good, and he's counting it as made because he "always makes those." When called out, he might reply, "No need—you've seen me make this shot before, why bother showing off again?" Then he'll pick up the ball and move on to the next tee.
The IWHMTA cheat is often used in conjunction with other cheating strategies. For example, the golfer might also be a "Balldropper," who always has an extra ball in his pocket and frequently wanders off by himself to search for wayward shots, casting furtive glances to see if any of his playing partners are watching. A rookie Balldropper might simply retrieve a ball from their pocket and place it in the general vicinity (but usually in a better spot) of where their first ball went missing. A more experienced Balldropper might use the "old pant-leg trick": cutting a hole in their pocket and letting the ball fall through, down their leg, and out the bottom of the pant leg. This allows them to pretend they found their ball when it was, in fact, a new ball they had stashed away.
Another common cheating strategy employed by golfers is the "Foot Wedger." When their ball ends up behind a tree, they will give it a little boot with their foot, improving their lie, and then express joy at their good luck. A variation of this is the "Bumper," who uses their club to bump the ball to a better position, always checking first to make sure no one is watching.
Golf is a game of integrity and honesty, and cheating is considered bad form. While recreational golfers may bend the rules in a friendly game, it is important to remember that no one likes a cheater. If you suspect someone of cheating, you can choose to never play with them again or call them out immediately, explaining what you have seen.
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Hitting into water hazards
Golf is a game of integrity and honesty, but some players may try to bend the rules to their advantage. One common form of cheating in golf involves hitting into water hazards, where players can employ various tactics to gain an unfair advantage. Here are some signs to look out for:
Identifying a Balldropper
The "Balldropper" is a common character in the golf cheating lexicon. This golfer always has an extra ball in their pocket and may wander off alone to search for wayward shots, keeping an eye out for their playing partners. If they hit their ball into the water, they may miraculously "find" it in a better spot, claiming it must have taken a lucky kick. They might even add, "And such a great lie, too!" To avoid detection, a rookie Balldropper might simply place the new ball near where the first one was lost. However, a more experienced cheater might cut a hole in their pocket and let the ball fall through, down their leg, and out the bottom of their pant leg.
Mis-hits and Water Hazards
A golfer who frequently "mis-hits" their ball into a water hazard may be up to something sneaky. If they claim to have hit their ball retrievable, they should play it or take a nearby drop. However, a cheater might re-hit the tee shot or take a lateral drop, depending on the hazard. They may also try to justify their actions by claiming they are simply following the local municipal's suggested practice or their own house rules.
Cheating the System
When a golfer hits their ball into a water hazard, they have several options under the rules of golf. First, they must identify whether the hazard is marked with red or yellow stakes or lines. A yellow marking indicates a standard water hazard, while red indicates a lateral water hazard with additional options. In both cases, the player can choose to play the ball as it lies within the hazard without penalty. However, a cheater might bend the rules by changing the point of entry to make their next shot easier. They may steal yards nearer to the hole, incurring a smaller penalty and improving their position.
Knowing the Rules
To spot a cheater, it's essential to know the rules. In both red and yellow water hazards, golfers have the option to go back to the point where they played their last shot and play from there, incurring a one-stroke penalty. In red hazards, golfers have two additional options. They can drop within two club lengths of the point where the ball last crossed into the hazard or move to the opposite side of the hazard, equidistant from the hole, and drop within two club lengths from there. A cheater may try to take advantage of these rules by manipulating the point of entry or taking excessive drops to gain a better position.
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Moving the ball to dry ground
Golf is an individual sport that relies on integrity of the players. While recreational golfers can play a friendly game without worrying about the score, cheating during a tournament is unacceptable.
One common form of cheating in golf is moving the ball to dry ground. This can occur when a golfer's ball lands in a water hazard or an area of saturated ground. Instead of taking the appropriate penalty or relief options, a golfer may discreetly move their ball to dry ground to improve their lie and gain an unfair advantage. This type of cheating is often referred to as "ball-dropping" or playing the "foot wedge."
To execute this cheat, a golfer may use the "pant-leg trick," where they have a hole cut in their pocket. When no one is looking, they let the ball fall through the hole, down their leg, and out the bottom of their pant leg. They then claim to have found their ball and pretend that it took a favourable kick or bounce to reach its new position.
To spot this type of cheating, keep an eye on your playing partners, especially if they wander off by themselves to search for wayward shots. If you suspect someone of moving their ball, you can confront them directly or report the incident to the match committee or the golf pro at the clubhouse. Remember, cheating in golf is considered bad form, and most golfers would rather avoid playing with a known cheater.
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