by BJ
Jennifer,
The game and the rules are inseparable. If you ain't gonna play by them (including local ones), I got no problem, just call it by some other name, because it ain't golf, to paraphrase Harvey Penick. But, on a more serious note, this is a sad comment on the nature of society today - I'm ok - you're ok, whatever behavior you and I decide is ok, is ok, even if it's really deviant. It's one reason we're in a sad mess, no absolutes - if you don't believe in something, you'll fall for anything. I'm sure, however, that you had your tongue planted firmly in your cheek in writing this, otherwise, I hope no "First-tee'rs" read it, maybe your own child (psst: not really a good lesson for a kid to learn playing a game, let alone life).

by wendy (UK)
Noooooo! No way am I giving my male playing partners a let-out on stroke & distance. I hit the ball short and straight, they hit it long and in the rough. They don't have to go back to the tee in the interest of speeding up play, but it's sure as hell they are are now going to be playing their 4th stroke (rule made up by me as the only one in my group who actually knows the real rules re hazards, unplayable lies, temporary & permanent obstructions, etc). In the extremely rare (now) event of a "whiff" it's not only counted, but also loudly recounted for the next however many holes we deem humiliating each time they address their ball. Competitive, moi? Never!

by Carolyn Golf Gal
Oh, Jennifer, I couldn't agree more with you regarding rules to "break" for the sake of keeping the pace of play moving along, and having fun. I would add the "given putt". The guys (and I do mean mostly men) almost ALWAYS give themselves the putt that is within a few inches (within the leather, supposedly) of the hole. Yes, of course, they could and would usually miss it and score higher, but they sure don't want to acknowledge that; so they give the close putts to each other and themselves (to speed up play, of course). So, take the free putt and cheerfully run to the next tee.