Best practices for keeping clubs safe at the course

[oldsticksnewsticks]

Theft is more common than you would think. I tend to keep an eye on my bag including taking turns going into the clubhouse with a friend. I also tend to keep less flashy headcovers on my clubs.

[dwboston]

I had a Scotty putter lifted about 6 years ago I found him about 5 minutes later using it on the putting green. I told him we could either call the cops or he could just give it back. Thankfully I was not paired up with that guy that day, or I would have left the course. Now I leave my clubs in my car until after check-in and no issues.

 

I've told this story here before but once more couldn't hurt. About 15 years ago I was playing at a nice daily-fee facility in Plymouth, MA (Pinehills - there are 2 courses there). The putting green/short game area is right near the 18th green for the Nicklaus course, and the 9th green/10th tee for the Jones course, so there's a decent amount of traffic there. I was using the practice bunker, so I set my other wedge and my putter (Cameron Studio Stainless Newport 2.5, lefty) down in the grass right behind the bunker and hit a few shots. I went up on the green to retrieve the balls and when I walked back down to the bunker, the putter was gone but the wedge was still there. I initially thought my friend grabbed it as a joke or to demo, as he played RH but putted LH, but he didn't have it. I looked around and there wasn't anyone close to us, until I noticed a guy walking really fast towards the 10th tee with a bag over his shoulder. I jumped in the cart to go after him, and saw the putter sticking out of his bag as I got closer. I ran up and grabbed it out of his bag and confronted him. He claimed, weakly, that he found it. I asked him why he didn't turn it in, if he really found it, or why he didn't grab the wedge that was right next to it and he went silent. My friends came over and got into with the guy as well. The starter came over to find out what was going on - it turns out the guy was a member there, he was a doctor, and he owned a (really expensive) house off the 10th fairway. The starter tried to vouch for him, I told him the guy was a thief, and I let it go. I was happy to have the putter back, and I haven't left my clubs unattended since then.

 

A few months later I went on a golf trip with the same friends and some others (around 20 guys total) to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Our final round on the trip was at a really nice course, Bay Harbor, and we had dinner there immediately after the round. A lot of the guys left their clubs at the bag drop, but after my experience with the putter, I locked them in the rental car. Everyone who left their clubs out had something stolen - a bunch of Scotty putters, Titleist drivers (975J era) and other high-end (for the time) equipment. And the course refused to do anything, even though the clubs were left with their attendants to clean them up.

 

I don't even leave my clubs at the course we belong to. No one will take care of my clubs better than I will, and I "lost" a laser rangefinder there a couple of years when when I forgot it in the basket of the push cart and one of the club cleaning kids took it, and it never turned up. Moral of the story - look after your own stuff.

[golfortennis]

One of my things now is to leave the rain hood on and cover it up. Now that I'm at a private club I get bugged about it, but I was at a public access course in the past, and drivers got lifted fairly regularly. Between generic head covers, and closing up the hood, I figure I've got things covered fairly well.

 

Also, when I play at a course that requires you to ride, I actually pull away a little from the 18th green, and put all my stuff in my bag before I get anywhere near the cart barn. And bag drop? Dream on.

[RichieHunt]

I've only had one club stolen in my life...a Wilson 8802 that I think I went an entire summer not missing a putt inside 5-feet from.

 

I still want to strangle the person that stole that club from me to this day.

 

I really don't think stolen clubs are a problem unless you leave them out overnight.

 

For instance, about 20 years ago I had a friend who had his entire car stolen and they later found the car put up on blocks. And his entire bag of clubs still in the trunk of the car.

 

 

 

 

 

RH

[AMM315]

I've only had one club stolen in my life...a Wilson 8802 that I think I went an entire summer not missing a putt inside 5-feet from.

 

I still want to strangle the person that stole that club from me to this day.

 

I really don't think stolen clubs are a problem unless you leave them out overnight.

 

For instance, about 20 years ago I had a friend who had his entire car stolen and they later found the car put up on blocks. And his entire bag of clubs still in the trunk of the car.

 

 

 

 

 

RH

 

I think I would more PO’d by the loss of my clubs vs. my wheels!

[ode1]

See if these guys will send you some headcovers-

 

http://store.theroyallifestyle.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1820

[St Jimmy]

One of my things now is to leave the rain hood on and cover it up. Now that I'm at a private club I get bugged about it, but I was at a public access course in the past, and drivers got lifted fairly regularly. Between generic head covers, and closing up the hood, I figure I've got things covered fairly well.

 

Also, when I play at a course that requires you to ride, I actually pull away a little from the 18th green, and put all my stuff in my bag before I get anywhere near the cart barn. And bag drop? Dream on.

 

 

I keep the rain hood on too until I’m on the first tee.

[Man_O_War]

I'm glad I play golf in a civilised country :)

 

Not quite, I had my bag containing brand new Ping Zing2 irons stolen at Forest of Arden Golf Club in 1995 when I went inside to take a whiz after 9th hole. Those irons hadn't been released in England yet at that time.

 

One other time, I had raw 588 lob wedge taken from my bag.

 

yeah i was wondering which country he was referring too lol. Loved the Forest of Arden course.. Ernie, Woosie, Seve, all passed through... those were the days!!!

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I had a Scotty putter lifted about 6 years ago I found him about 5 minutes later using it on the putting green. I told him we could either call the cops or he could just give it back. Thankfully I was not paired up with that guy that day, or I would have left the course. Now I leave my clubs in my car until after check-in and no issues.

 

I've told this story here before but once more couldn't hurt. About 15 years ago I was playing at a nice daily-fee facility in Plymouth, MA (Pinehills - there are 2 courses there). The putting green/short game area is right near the 18th green for the Nicklaus course, and the 9th green/10th tee for the Jones course, so there's a decent amount of traffic there. I was using the practice bunker, so I set my other wedge and my putter (Cameron Studio Stainless Newport 2.5, lefty) down in the grass right behind the bunker and hit a few shots. I went up on the green to retrieve the balls and when I walked back down to the bunker, the putter was gone but the wedge was still there. I initially thought my friend grabbed it as a joke or to demo, as he played RH but putted LH, but he didn't have it. I looked around and there wasn't anyone close to us, until I noticed a guy walking really fast towards the 10th tee with a bag over his shoulder. I jumped in the cart to go after him, and saw the putter sticking out of his bag as I got closer. I ran up and grabbed it out of his bag and confronted him. He claimed, weakly, that he found it. I asked him why he didn't turn it in, if he really found it, or why he didn't grab the wedge that was right next to it and he went silent. My friends came over and got into with the guy as well. The starter came over to find out what was going on - it turns out the guy was a member there, he was a doctor, and he owned a (really expensive) house off the 10th fairway. The starter tried to vouch for him, I told him the guy was a thief, and I let it go. I was happy to have the putter back, and I haven't left my clubs unattended since then.

 

A few months later I went on a golf trip with the same friends and some others (around 20 guys total) to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Our final round on the trip was at a really nice course, Bay Harbor, and we had dinner there immediately after the round. A lot of the guys left their clubs at the bag drop, but after my experience with the putter, I locked them in the rental car. Everyone who left their clubs out had something stolen - a bunch of Scotty putters, Titleist drivers (975J era) and other high-end (for the time) equipment. And the course refused to do anything, even though the clubs were left with their attendants to clean them up.

 

I don't even leave my clubs at the course we belong to. No one will take care of my clubs better than I will, and I "lost" a laser rangefinder there a couple of years when when I forgot it in the basket of the push cart and one of the club cleaning kids took it, and it never turned up. Moral of the story - look after your own stuff.

Should have called the cops on Doctor Thief. His image deserved to be permanently tainted.

[lspky_muskie]

Generic headcovers is a good protocol, if you're playing the latest and greatest.

 

At the course where I'm a member, I will leave them unattended for a few minutes, but anywhere else I'm extremely vigilant about making sure someone has eyes in them at all times.

[Ghostwedge]

Not a fan of the new driver head covers. I use an old TM "sock style" head cover, protects expensive custom shafts better.

Generic cover on my Scotty as well. Bag doesn't leave my sight until it's in the SUV. Let my score do the advertising. lol

[marmooskapaul]

I left my entire bag in the cart once...too much fun...the course somehow got my cousin's phone number..called him...he then called me and ask me where my clubs were. I said my trunk...then went and checked..no clubs...kind of a sick feeling with empty trunk...lol.. Picked them up at the course the next day....plenty of good people still around that wouldn't consider stealing someones clubs.

[jerebear21]

Common sense. Keep your eyes on your bag always or check in for you and your friend while one is watching your bags.

 

I avoid city and muni courses in general.

[Roadking2003]

Obviously the clubs are a prime target while I'm inside the club house.

 

How do you guys do it?

 

I'm even thinking of using non-name brand head covers so as not to bring attention to them.

 

Thoughts?

 

Don't play where this is a high risk.

[Skaffa77]

I've actually always worried about this. In fact...I'm paranoid in general about theft. I once saw a saying at the gym that says, "Either you secure your items or someone else will"...so I take it to heart that my nice things are likely desired by others.

 

Most of the courses have a bag drop that is level with the pro shop so I can keep an eye on my gear. There's the occasional course where my clubs are not readily visible and I try to make my Pro Shop visit as quick as possible...and leave less time for someone to be tempted.