Most of the competitions I play in allow, via local rule, GPS and range finders. It is not unusual for two of the guys in my foursome to have range finders with the other having a GPS. They typically freely give out the yardages on par 3 holes, which is allowed.

The other day my buddy was playing in the "B" flight and I and the other two were in the "A" flight. He "shot" the flag and told me in a low voice what the yardage was. I know he did not want to share the data with my competitors. Of course, one of then said, "what did he say"?

Now, my buddy has admitted to lacking the "embarrassment gene" and probably would have told him, "None of your f'ing business". I on the other hand, try not to rock the boat too much. So I told my competitor the yardage, much to the bemusement of my buddy.

What do you think? In a friendly competition do you tell someone the yardage if they ask? Do you only say something if asked? Or do you tell the competitor to get the information some other way?

Obviously its freely available information, so you can offer it, or ask for an opinion on it.

Where and when you share it, different aspect completely.

I guess I would rather share and be generous, to ensure a fun friendly comfortable experience, even if I am competing with them.

karma, do unto others etc

Since people can figure it out, I dont think it will kill you, they still have to hit the shot.

Plus you portray confidence if you share it, otherwise its like you need that advantage.

Just my 2 cents

When it comes to competitions i have no problems giving yardage- From the sprinkler heads. I will NEVER give yardage from my device. Ever. It's competition and it's like caddy's sharing yardage on the PGA tour. Why would you share specifics with someone you're playing against? It's YOUR advantage in competition.

Now if it's a friendly game i'm playing against my buds for a $5 nassau, that's a different story. whatever. take the yardage i'll still beat ya. but yea - competition, no way.


Remember, giving wrong yardage would be grounds for disqualification because it IS considered common knowledge. Just find the nearest sprinkler and give the yardage. You are not obliged to give them the exact yardage.

When playing with the buds, giving wrong yardage is perfectly acceptable. It's called gamesmanship. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, you can only get away with it once. Which is nice too, because you don't get bothered with that question again.

Ok now the truth. When my friends and I play, we always have bets going, but I think we truly want each other to score as well as we can. So we always share laser information, we all have them, so we rely on the one who is most handy to use. First one to the ball, first on the tee, etc.

I give them the yardage. They still have to make the shot.