Hello Corwyn,
Corwyn:My dilemma is this… What should I do about it?
I noticed you did not outrightly deny the "accusation." Why not? Perhaps it isn't easy to deny an accusation that is so ambiguous and I think reckless. Who knows what s/he even means!
What did the person mean by "cheat"? Does the purported "accuser" mean you have used an auto-dinger software application? Does the person mean you have committed some form of "sandbagging" or used a third-party shot/putter pal or something else related to the game? Does s/he mean something else completely unrelated to this game (I know this is unlikely, but with such an unqualified usage of the term "cheat" I don't think one should quickly jump to the conclusion that the accuser is a "jelous[sic]" "lier[sic]" and an "illiterate" "fool" as some have already done)?
Considering the circumstances, I think it is easy to suspect that the accuser is accusing you of using some sort of illegal software to score your latest lowest score of 53 (nice score, btw). However, I think it would be imprudently reckless for me, or anyone else, to derisively mock the person without clear evidence as to what the person is saying.
Corwyn: I use clubs well below my level
Corwyn, I know you play with your PING G20 Iron Set (L83+) and not the R11 Iron Set (L90+) or other irons with a higher distance and spin rating. Because of that, you probably haven't finished first in a lot of the events you have played, and therefore have not been promoted to Tour Legend. In other words, if you decided to upgrade your equipment months ago, you just might have already been a Tour Legend. Some may call your choice not to upgrade and consequently finish second multiple times, and thus not promote to Tour Legend "cheating."
(As discussed in another thread, one does not absolutely need 500 Ranked Rounds as a Legend to become a Tour Legend. Some are promoted to Tour Legend partly because of finishing first in certain events.)
One may intentionally shoot bad scores (or mediocre scores) with the best equipment, or one may shoot those same scores by choosing not to gain the best equipment. In both instances the player is choosing not to score his/her best, the main difference is the method.
Is that what the "accuser" was referring to? I don't know. I think anyone else who does not know, should withhold judgment—especially misjudgment.
I personally do not see anything "illegal" (i.e., illegal according to WGT's official rules) with choosing to play with "clubs well below" your "level." If I am incorrect, someone please correct me.
Well, what to do? You have already done something just by starting this thread and gaining advice, which I think is certainly better than thoughtlessly reciprocating.
It depends on a lot of factors: personal choice, experience, advice, etc. I know this may run counter to some other legend's advice, and even though I have been vitriolically accused of cheating at length, my advice may be considered "amateur" in comparison, but perhaps you could reach out and try to have a discussion with the person to understand exactly what s/he is referring to with the usage of the word "cheat." As I recall, that is what I did. It did not stop the profusion of bitter messages at me, but at least I tried to extend an olive branch.
Maybe s/he has been similarly accused of being a "cheat" in his/her past and therefore has a skewed understanding of exactly what "cheating" is in regards to illegality, especially if s/he is a pre-teen/teen. Perhaps peace can be made.
@the others who responded to this thread
Corwyn:
one doesn't always know nearly enough to make a judgment
One can actually make a judgment without knowing all of the germane facts regarding a topic, but such a verdict may not be an accurate one—it may be a misjudgment. I think those who are in that group of people who do not "know nearly enough" should refrain from doing exactly what they perceive the purported accuser of doing, reaching a verdict without adequate evidence. In other words, it is my opinion that to judge the accuser, as some have already done, without even knowing what s/he is referring to is not admirable.
mkg335: I've been accused of cheating by the same type of illiterate fool...not the same person, but the same type of low-life bottom feeder.
Again, without understanding exactly what a person is referring to when the word "cheat" is used, I think it isn't easy to hastily reach a sound judgment. Additionally, for all you do not know, the person may actually be the same, just with a different account especially if they actually are a low-life bottom feeder.
alosso: To me, your "guest" is a lier[sic].
I presume alosso's first language is not English, and so the error of saying "lier" instead of the correct spelling "liar" is understandable. The person who posted on Corwyn's wall with the "accusation" may be ESL, no?
Jimbog1964: LOL, if I may. I DREAM of being so lucky to be called that, and would just stay silent on the fact it was just an illiterate fool that did it:)
Jimbog1964: The OP has stats that says he could not blow a barn door off with with a sawn of[sic] 12 bore from 3 feet, and is jelous[sic] of a very good player.
Reaching a verdict which mocks someone's misuage of a language as illiterate in a mean-spirited way while making a misspelling in the ill-advised verdict is, I think, very ironic. (I know the difference between a typo and an error in grammar.) We all were illiterate at one time, but thankfully some of us have matured and gained a greater degree of maturity and literacy. However, we all still may have some maturing to do.
Thanks,
JMan
P.S. In this specific instance, I presume, jimbog1964, that your use of the abbreviation "OP" means "Original Poster." The Original Poster of this thread is Corwyn. But, I guess you're referring to the Original Poster in reference to the person who began all of this with the post on Corwyn's wall. Perhaps you made a mistake, because your usage is not what I customarily see when people in these forums use the abbreviation "OP."