How to Handle a Friend Who Cheats at Golf

Golf is a challenging sport rooted in the ideals of sportsmanship, skill, and above all else – integrity. However, what do you do if a playing partner is constantly bending the rules or blatantly cheating?

People cheat in golf for many reasons and vary from cheater to cheater. Some do it to win a money bet, while others cheat to save their pride and ego. Who enjoys marking down a nine on the scorecard? No one. However, cheating will never make anyone better and will tick your friends off!

The main objective when handling a golf cheat is to get them to change their habits without blowing up a friendship. The risk of calling a golf cheater out can be detrimental if they view it as a personal attack.

How do you confront a friend who cheats at golf?

• Follow the rules to set a positive example
• Quickly and politely point out their dishonesty
• Talk about it with your other playing partners
• Have everyone keep their own score
• Educate them on the rules of golf
• Be open and honest with them
• Take a break from playing with them

Lead by Example

Demonstrate integrity on the course through your behavior. If your friend is cheating in a specific aspect of the game, consistently make it known that you adhere to the rules.

For example, if your playing partner moves their ball for a better lie (no pun intended), make sure to not do the same. You can even say something out loud like, “Gosh, I wish I could improve this dreaded lie, but that would be a stroke penalty.”

Holding yourself to an honest standard on the course might get your friend to change their ways on their own.

Playing for Money

If you’re playing for money, make the rules clear amongst the group before starting. Choose rules targeted around your buddy’s cheating and state that since money is involved, cheating isn’t tolerated.

Calling someone out for cheating is easier when playing for money compared to playing for fun. The clarity of the stakes in money-involved games makes it more straightforward to address instances of dishonesty.

If money is on the line, no matter how small, it’s crucial to call out playing partners for not playing by the rules.

Quickly and Politely Call them Out

If you’re debating on confronting your friend, it’s best to do it sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more resentment and frustration you can build. 

It’s usually less passive-aggressive when you call things out as you see it, instead of bringing it up after the round.

For example, if you inquire about your friend’s score on a particular hole, and they claim it was a four when you’re certain it was a five, kindly request clarification. Ask them to elaborate on the extra shot they may have taken around the green, the tee shot that went out of bounds, or any other shot they might have overlooked. This approach encourages open communication and ensures that discrepancies in the reported scores are addressed and clarified.

Talk with Other Playing Partners

If you consistently notice your friend cheating and have an urge to communicate this, talk about it with other playing partners. Most likely your other golf buddies have noticed the cheating as well. From there, you can collectively discuss as a group how to proceed.

The simple fact of knowing others are aware of the cheating can ease your mind. 

Have Everyone Keep Score

A nice way to try and fix the problem without confrontation is suggesting everyone keeps their scorecard. At the very least have multiple people keep score.

This strategy can force your friend to be honest with their scores.

Educate them on Golf Ettitquite

It’s possible that your friend might not be aware of their unintentional rule-breaking. Given the intricate and complex rules of golf, it’s helpful to educate them in a friendly manner. Share insights about the rules to help their understanding. This will create a more enjoyable game for everyone involved.

Stop Playing with Them

You’d hate for it to come down to this, but if the cheating is ruining your days on the course, you can always choose to stop playing with them. You can also take a break from playing with them too.

Be Open and Honest with Them

Ultimately, opting for an open and honest conversation is a wise decision. Communicate to your friend about the impact their dishonesty has on your overall enjoyment of the game. Emphasize your appreciation for playing and competing together while highlighting the importance of a fair and level playing field for the mutual enjoyment of both players.

Final Thoughts

All in all, try to not let other’s dishonesty impact your mentality on the course. Focus on having fun and on your own game. Know that cheating is not beneficial in the long run, and you’re better for staying honest.

If you feel the need to confront them, strategies such as leading by example, setting clear rules, and addressing the issue promptly and politely can contribute to a positive resolution. However, if the cheating persists and affects the enjoyment of the game, the option to stop playing with the friend may be necessary.