Why look away when someone is putting?

[glassila]

Does anyone have a reasonable explanation as to why pro player look away when someone else is putting?

 

[Chucker60]

Maybe they're just focused on their own game & don't want any distractions or maybe they don't want any negative vibes in their head watching the other player miss.

That's all I got

 

[foxdawg10]

Does anyone have a reasonable explanation as to why pro player look away when someone else is putting?

Putting is personal. They probably just want to focus on their own putt and not let anything else interfere with their focus,. It is probably a good idea, I should start doing this.

 

[Moose33]

It's a weird thing that if you could be in someone's eye line you turn away and some people just do it always.

Like if you can't see them they can't see you, like the Bugbladder beast of traal.

Just get out of the way and watch, that's probably half the reason no one calls foot faults, they just didn't see them.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Why look away when someone is putting?

Because you don't want to make the call when someone else makes a falling putt, or other stance violation. :\

Don't know if I'm old school, or just an old fart, but...

I think you should watch your card mates. The rules exist to maintain the sport's integrity, and it's up to each of us to enforce them. Hard to enforce them if you're not watching the action. I'm not saying you need to pay such scrutinous attention that it throws your game off, but at at least you at need to be watching. :|

 

[Hampstead]

Can't say the why, but it's a courtesy that I inherited from the old guys that I used to play with.

 

[ThrowaEnvy]

I cant watch when it's my partner after I flub the first putt. It goes in more often when I don't watch.. Facts!!

 

[wolfhaley]

I'm usually voluntarily in the rough peeing.

 

[DavidSauls]

It's a weird thing that if you could be in someone's eye line you turn away and some people just do it always.

Like if you can't see them they can't see you, like the Bugbladder beast of traal.

Just get out of the way and watch, that's probably half the reason no one calls foot faults, they just didn't see them.

It's great to see that some people still quote the classics.

 

[discerdoo]

I've just started looking down and kinda meditating when a frequent card mate is putting. He is so f'n slow and just keeps lining up and false putting.....

His routine completely ruins my putting Zen so I'm better off just listening for chains, or lack thereof.

 

[DavidSauls]

I think it derives from the thought that staring down someone is playing mind games, and if you're in the player's direct field of view it's unsportsmanlike.

Of course, you shouldn't be in another player's direct field of view, anyway.

It probably never really made sense, and now that pros are used to galleries and lots of people staring at them, it makes even less sense. I'd think that pros are good enough at putting, and have sufficient concentration, to not notice, anyway.

 

[robdeforge]

Can't say the why, but it's a courtesy that I inherited from the old guys that I used to play with.

why is it courteous to do so, or discourteous to not do so?

 

[da Crippler]

If you don't see a violation, you can't call it. No one wants to be "that guy".

 

[CaptainAnhyzer]

If you don't see a violation, you can't call it. No one wants to be "that guy".

Maybe i'm old but I feel this is a completely wrong mindset.
We are a self officiating sport and its our job to pay attention to other competitors as much as possible.

 

[Moose33]

It's great to see that some people still quote the classics.

I was so hoping someone would get the reference!

 

[ThrowaEnvy]

why is it courteous to do so, or discourteous to not do so?

It's the pressure of eyes watching... Everyone watching you, right now all focused on you, willing it in or to miss. It actually bothers me most when everyone stops talking and it gets silent, I prefer some light background chatter.

Even more so when the player in question just missed a 20' par or bogey and just can't hole out.

I was so hoping someone would get the reference!

Always enjoy a Hitchhiker's reference. I was also thinking more of the SEP Field... I think that tied in with Bistromathics

 

[EarthRocker]

I was so hoping someone would get the reference!

Got my Towel right here...

 

[Sewer bill]

I try to watch everything like a hawk except step puts.

 

[DavidSauls]

I'm suddenly reminded of my idea for a Don't Panic! mini, to mark the lie on before death putts. Perhaps we can offer that advance to pro players who don't want to be stared at.

 

[glassila]

Only a few guys in my area do it (copying the pros I guess).

Personally, I watch everyone putt - I'm not looking for violations, just watching like I do for every throw my cardmates take.