You hit a ball off line and it is in another fairway. When you get near the ball, you see other players approaching the tee for that hole but they are not set to hit yet.

Do you go out in the fairway, go through your routine, maybe laser your target, etc..., even if the players now on the tee might have to wait? Or do you wait until they have hit and are clear from danger and then play, even if it means holding up your group and possibly the group(s) behind you? Or, do you trot out to your ball and hit quickly and then trot back to your fairway?

I know it irritates the heck out of me when one or more guys wander into my fairway and then take their time hitting. My attitude usually is it's my fairway, they hit the bad shot, get the heck out of the way until I hit. I have yet to tee it up and send one over the offender's head since potentially maiming someone for a breach of etiquette seems a bit much. I just stand there and suffer in silence.

When the shoe is on the other foot, I typically hustle out and hit quickly unless I am in some sort of competition. In those situations I will wait them out and hit after they are clear.

This depends on a few things.

First of all, if I hit into the fairway of a group ahead of me, I'll wait until the way is clear especially if the course is moving slowly. I figure I'm going to be waiting on them anyway.

But if I hit into the fairway of a group behind me, I will expect them to wait while I hit my shot. It doesn't make any sense waiting for them when they are, essentially, waiting for me.

I would not jump out in front if the player is walking up to the tee. In that case I would wait. If, however, they are just getting there and may be writing down a score or something like that, I would try to get out and play back into my fairway. Most of the time the group on the tee will wave you on to play your shot and get out of their way.

Get to your ball when it is safe, hit your shot quickly, and get back on your hole.

Most of the time, the golfers I have run into on the other fairway are understanding of my plight, since they have been there as well.

I just want to be clear. If you hit into the fairway of a group hitting behind you, you have the right of way. Of course, safety is always the first concern.

If i'm in the other fairway, i usually get my yardage from a safe distance while the other players are hitting. after that, it's find a hole and hit the shot. It irks me greatly when guys walk their bags or drive their carts out, look at 2 different clubs, laser the target and then go through their routine... Let's face it pal, if you were that good, you wouldn't be over in the next fairway. Hit the ball, that's my opinion. Even when i'm the guy. I obviously had a bad swing, what's to say the next one will definitely be good. Get it towards/around the green and take your medicine.

birdieXris wrote:

If i'm in the other fairway, i usually get my yardage from a safe distance while the other players are hitting. after that, it's find a hole and hit the shot. It irks me greatly when guys walk their bags or drive their carts out, look at 2 different clubs, laser the target and then go through their routine... Let's face it pal, if you were that good, you wouldn't be over in the next fairway. Hit the ball, that's my opinion. Even when i'm the guy. I obviously had a bad swing, what's to say the next one will definitely be good. Get it towards/around the green and take your medicine.

I birdied two holes from the wrong fairway last weekend.

Jus' sayin'

Bryan K wrote:

birdieXris wrote: If i'm in the other fairway, i usually get my yardage from a safe distance while the other players are hitting. after that, it's find a hole and hit the shot. It irks me greatly when guys walk their bags or drive their carts out, look at 2 different clubs, laser the target and then go through their routine... Let's face it pal, if you were that good, you wouldn't be over in the next fairway. Hit the ball, that's my opinion. Even when i'm the guy. I obviously had a bad swing, what's to say the next one will definitely be good. Get it towards/around the green and take your medicine. I birdied two holes from the wrong fairway last weekend. Jus' sayin'

You should make other fairways a habit then . I never said it wasn't doable, just be smart about it. Just like you're saying above.. you may have the right of way but it doesn't mean you own the hole at that time. I equate it with the guys that stroll across the street or stop to tie their shoe or something. Make it with a purpose there, Smails.