At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
turn in the queue.

Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he hopes 
everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp since 
Competitions have priority.

He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 2-ball 
ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.

In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers reached 
the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were half way 
through their supper.

The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged to 
let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?

Psychman

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm

"psychman"  wrote in message 
news:KNsmi.36847$_14.35800@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> At 5 on a Wednesday evening quite a crowd had assembled on the 1st tee. 
> There was a midweek Medal, some 2-balls playing in various comps, and some 
> social golfers. Everyone had put a ball in the "chute" to indicate their 
> turn in the queue.
>
> Up comes a young tiger and announces, to the world in general, that he 
> hopes everyone is playing in the comp and not holding up his 2-ball comp 
> since Competitions have priority.
>
> He receives some specific, (if difficult to follow), advice to the general 
> effect that Competitions have no priority on the Tee unless it is a 
> pre-booked time such as a Saturday. However, he is reassured, if his 
> 2-ball ends up pushing a 3- or 4-ball he will be ushered through.
>
> In fact this never occurred and by the time 2 exhausted young tigers 
> reached the 19th hole after playing 3 extra holes the 'social' group were 
> half way through their supper.
>
> The etiquette question that the social 4-ball debated was whether, if they 
> were hard on the heels of the game in front, they would still be obliged 
> to let a 2-ball pass, given that the course was full?
>
> Psychman
That 3 & 4-balls should let through 2-balls used to be the Rule of Etiquette 
in Section I of the Rules of Golf.
This was changed in 2004 for just the reasons you situation shows.
The Rule is now less rigid, it requires simply that players should let 
through those behind if playing more quickly.
IMO, if a group has not lost ground on the group in front AND ahead is a 
full field, there is no requirement to call through.
All players should always, keep a general watch on the whole course visible 
to them to gauge where all groups are and whether letting a group through 
will actually have any overall benefit to the field.

Having said that, Committees are permitted to make whatever rules they wish 
concerning the management of play on the course.
Frequently it will be found that the Committee requires those not in a 
competition to give way to those who are, even on a full course.

So the answer to your question is, it all depends what the Committee have 
decreed.

I reported here a year or so ago, of a 36 hole singles match play final I 
refereed at the private club to which I belong.
It was played on a busy Sunday morning.
The first 18 holes were played in 2 hours 33 minutes and the second 18 (the 
match went all the way) in 2 hours 35 minutes!
Both players played under their handicaps in both rounds.
Because members knew the match was being played, they parted like the Red 
Sea as we came to each hole and the players were only held up at one hole 
for a couple of minutes while a match in front which they had caught up, 
finished and undertook the usual niceties of shaking hands, etc.
There is clearly a failure at your course to have any proper management of 
the starting tees but good manners and a generous give and take attitude is 
the best way to ensure everyone enjoys their golf.

HTH,

Malcolm