Everyone knows the unofficial rule that’s supposed to be invoked when men don’t hit it past the ladies’ tees. Most of the time people usually don’t follow through. Well, here’s a story from one guy who did.

His initial email:

Given your golf background and fun approach to the sport, I thought you would be a good source to clarify a few things around some of the unofficial rules of golf that I unknowingly triggered recently, namely:

1) Do people really enforce the rule around failing to drive the ladies tee?
2) Does the punishment increase if you do it again?
3) Are these rules applied even in a coed setting?

Thanks.

My response:

Thanks for your email. Very funny stuff and good questions. Well, since I started playing, the “rule” in question was always joked about. While my friends and I would give people a hard time, I’ve never seen it enforced. I only know one or two who have adhered to it. But to answer your questions, I would say: 1) It depends on your playing partners, 2) It should, and 3) Refer to 1.

Hope that helps a bit!

The email exchange went back and forth several times. After I assured him his identity would remain confidential, he kindly agreed to share the entirety of his traumatizing experience:

There were 10 of us and since me and this other guy were the worst golfers they paired us with 2 pharma reps who were out playing.

Ran into problems on the second hole. The pharma reps demanded “DO” — tried to fight it but peer pressure won out (plus I never welch on a bet). So I complied.

Did it again on I think the 7th or 8th hole — As noted, the penalty was raised — just golf shoes and hat for the hole.
The 15th hole was the worst — as both of us failed to drive the ladies tee. That led to both of us playing in the buff — him for the hole and me for the rest of the round.

On the 18th, I did beg to get my clothes back which they agreed to provided I tee’d off as attired and I agreed to pop out of a cake later that night for their colleagues birthday. Tough choice but I agreed as I was worried about putting out on the 18th in front of a crowd.

I suspect we got away with it because Vegas was desolate this summer due to the economic downturn and we spent big money.

Thanks to the reader for sharing — no doubt it was the funniest blog-related email I’ve ever received. I’m sure many of you have similar entertaining, humiliating escapades. Please tell.