Whats the deal with poker chips?

[deadsolid...shank]

No just easily annoyed.

 

Then distracted by being annoyed, maybe.

 

There's one irascible old coot in our weekend group who doesn't much care for the poker chip thing (among many others). A new guy maybe 30 years old joined us one Saturday and had the really big, thick poker chip. The kind so big I can't imagine anyone would use them in an actual poker game.

 

Plops it down on the first green more or less vaguely in irascible old coot's line. The old guy walked over, replaced the "poker chip" with a penny, tossed it to the young guy and said, "You can keep the penny, I've got a pocket full".

 

I would have picked up the penny, said thanks, and put the chip back down. And told him if it bothers you, ask me and I’ll move it. But you don’t need to touch it.

 

 

[deadsolid...shank]

Nobody is "distracted so they much they can't function like a normal human being". Where did you come up with that.

 

We are "distracted" by somone tossing a huge chunk of plastic down on the green when we're putting. When golfers do thing that distract their playing partners, that is poor etiquette.

 

The whole poker chip thing is no different than jingling change in your pocket, standing in someone's eyeline when they are setting up for a shot or talking while someone is swinging. Yes, we are perfectly capable of ignoring poor etiquette. But we're also capable of telling someone to cut it out.

 

There's a long tradition in golf that if someone you're doing annoys or distracts another player, you stop doing it. Not that such traditions have any place in the game of a music-playing poker-chip narcissist.

 

There's one guy in our group with rabbit ears. He has the uncanny ability to hear someone making the slightest movement anywhere within 50 feet of him and it distracts him. I think he's being mighty sensitive, given that he plays in a group of people who routinely prepare for their shot while other people are hitting. But out of courtesy we all become still as statues for a few seconds when it's that guy's turn to hit. Because that's the etiquette of the game, if someone finds a thing distracting a good golfer will refrain from doing that thing.

 

It’s not even close to someone jingling change in their pocket or talking while someone is swinging. That’s a huge reach.

[bigred90gt]

You said earlier it's etiquette if someone finds something distracting that they should change it. So when someone asked earlier if your shirt was distracting to them, would you change it. You ignored it. Is there a reason? Your shirt color distracts me. It's white. The ball is white, I could get confused. Hundreds of colors and you have to match the golf ball. Entirely distracting.

 

This is how you sound about poker chips.

 

It depends. If they're distracted by a perfectly normal polo shirt like millions of golfers have worn for generations then the distraction is all on them.

 

If I were wearing something purposely garish, say a tank top with the name of a casino emblazoned in neon DayGlo colors across the front, then it would surprise me if I were asked to change into appropriate golf attire.

 

Hint, a quarter is analogous to the polo shirt and an oversized poker chip is analogous the tank top...

 

A poker chip for a ball marker is analogous to a neon tank top? That’s a stretch if I’ve ever heard one.

 

A polo is required by the course as proper attire.

 

A poker chip is allowed by the rules as a ball marker.

 

Not the same as someone trying to wear a tank top on the course, which would be in violation of the dress code. Nice try though.

 

Rules of Golf allow you to play in bathing trunks and no shirt.

 

Rules of the golf course won’t allow you. But then you know that already, your just trying poorly to make a weak point.

 

Follow the rules of the game and the course, if someone takes issue with that, that’s their problem. If someone is distracted by a marker that is within the rules, that is their problem, not mine.

[deadsolid...shank]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

To each their own, I suppose, but again, the game has changed. There is much greater access to the game, and there's an entire sentiment across the sport to 'grow the game' which inherently means bringing new blood into the mix. If the 'grumpy old guy' only wants things to go his way, be played the old way, and makes no room for new trends in the game, that's exactly the elitist approach and mindset that does the opposite of grow the game.

 

It seems incredibly foolish to me that a 3" round, 1/4" tall piece of plastic would be distracting or off-putting to anyone. Music in the cart, I'll give you that, though I enjoy it, but we're talking about being annoyed, not just disliking, annoyed by someone using a ball marker. Just seems insane to me. Like I said....you play in your group, I'll play in mine, and hopefully never the two shall meet.

 

 

 

Are we exaggerating a bit on the size?

[North Butte]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

To each their own, I suppose, but again, the game has changed. There is much greater access to the game, and there's an entire sentiment across the sport to 'grow the game' which inherently means bringing new blood into the mix. If the 'grumpy old guy' only wants things to go his way, be played the old way, and makes no room for new trends in the game, that's exactly the elitist approach and mindset that does the opposite of grow the game.

 

It seems incredibly foolish to me that a 3" round, 1/4" tall piece of plastic would be distracting or off-putting to anyone. Music in the cart, I'll give you that, though I enjoy it, but we're talking about being annoyed, not just disliking, annoyed by someone using a ball marker. Just seems insane to me. Like I said....you play in your group, I'll play in mine, and hopefully never the two shall meet.

 

 

 

Are we exaggerating a bit on the size?

 

No I am talking about ones far larger and more coloful than thay.

[Duffner's Waggle]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

To each their own, I suppose, but again, the game has changed. There is much greater access to the game, and there's an entire sentiment across the sport to 'grow the game' which inherently means bringing new blood into the mix. If the 'grumpy old guy' only wants things to go his way, be played the old way, and makes no room for new trends in the game, that's exactly the elitist approach and mindset that does the opposite of grow the game.

 

It seems incredibly foolish to me that a 3" round, 1/4" tall piece of plastic would be distracting or off-putting to anyone. Music in the cart, I'll give you that, though I enjoy it, but we're talking about being annoyed, not just disliking, annoyed by someone using a ball marker. Just seems insane to me. Like I said....you play in your group, I'll play in mine, and hopefully never the two shall meet.

 

 

 

Are we exaggerating a bit on the size?

 

No I am talking about ones far larger and more coloful than thay.

 

Never seen one bigger than that Nebraska one.

[deadsolid...shank]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

To each their own, I suppose, but again, the game has changed. There is much greater access to the game, and there's an entire sentiment across the sport to 'grow the game' which inherently means bringing new blood into the mix. If the 'grumpy old guy' only wants things to go his way, be played the old way, and makes no room for new trends in the game, that's exactly the elitist approach and mindset that does the opposite of grow the game.

 

It seems incredibly foolish to me that a 3" round, 1/4" tall piece of plastic would be distracting or off-putting to anyone. Music in the cart, I'll give you that, though I enjoy it, but we're talking about being annoyed, not just disliking, annoyed by someone using a ball marker. Just seems insane to me. Like I said....you play in your group, I'll play in mine, and hopefully never the two shall meet.

 

 

 

Are we exaggerating a bit on the size?

 

No I am talking about ones far larger and more coloful than thay.

 

All the one I have are this same size. I haven’t seen bigger ones.

[bluetees1999]

First off, wow. Five pages on using a poker chip as a ball mark.

Second, forgive me if I'm repeating a sentiment here. I read through three pages and had to fast forward.

I'd say it was a little bold of the old guy to switch out for the penny without asking. However....if you want to use a giant chip from whatever casino you won $100 in on a buddy trip 5 years ago, I say go for it. If you're well away from the hole out of someone else line, by all means. If you are in close proximity to the hole, near someone's line maybe downsize to a coin.

[SPrigge]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

To each their own, I suppose, but again, the game has changed. There is much greater access to the game, and there's an entire sentiment across the sport to 'grow the game' which inherently means bringing new blood into the mix. If the 'grumpy old guy' only wants things to go his way, be played the old way, and makes no room for new trends in the game, that's exactly the elitist approach and mindset that does the opposite of grow the game.

 

It seems incredibly foolish to me that a 3" round, 1/4" tall piece of plastic would be distracting or off-putting to anyone. Music in the cart, I'll give you that, though I enjoy it, but we're talking about being annoyed, not just disliking, annoyed by someone using a ball marker. Just seems insane to me. Like I said....you play in your group, I'll play in mine, and hopefully never the two shall meet.

 

 

 

Are we exaggerating a bit on the size?

 

No I am talking about ones far larger and more coloful than thay.

 

All the one I have are this same size. I haven’t seen bigger ones.

 

Same

[e-man]

One of my playing partners uses a poker chip. He is very considerate about it and always asks if he should move it one way or the other. Here's the thing. If he's anywhere near my line, particular on a long putt, I'm just not a good putter and there's a fair chance that I'm going to hit that thing. So he then says that he'll move it a few putter heads over, but honestly, what's the point. Why do it. Just use something smaller and flatter and maybe you wouldn't have to move it in the first place.

[jppatton2]

One of my playing partners uses a poker chip. He is very considerate about it and always asks if he should move it one way or the other. Here's the thing. If he's anywhere near my line, particular on a long putt, I'm just not a good putter and there's a fair chance that I'm going to hit that thing. So he then says that he'll move it a few putter heads over, but honestly, what's the point. Why do it. Just use something smaller and flatter and maybe you wouldn't have to move it in the first place.

 

Make him putt first so he has to give you a read. Win, win. Poker chip stays, annoyed about poker chip guys get a read on the putt.

[jppatton2]

Also, I like to imagine an alternate universe where the internet and golfwrx forum existed around the time polos and pants took over as standard clothing in place of the jacket and tie on the golf course. There were probably guys ranting about how pissed they are because the distracting young lad in the short sleeves doesn’t respect his playing partners by revealing his arms during a round of the gentlemen’s game.

[bigred90gt]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

To each their own, I suppose, but again, the game has changed. There is much greater access to the game, and there's an entire sentiment across the sport to 'grow the game' which inherently means bringing new blood into the mix. If the 'grumpy old guy' only wants things to go his way, be played the old way, and makes no room for new trends in the game, that's exactly the elitist approach and mindset that does the opposite of grow the game.

 

It seems incredibly foolish to me that a 3" round, 1/4" tall piece of plastic would be distracting or off-putting to anyone. Music in the cart, I'll give you that, though I enjoy it, but we're talking about being annoyed, not just disliking, annoyed by someone using a ball marker. Just seems insane to me. Like I said....you play in your group, I'll play in mine, and hopefully never the two shall meet.

 

 

 

Are we exaggerating a bit on the size?

 

No I am talking about ones far larger and more coloful than thay.

 

I’m not sure where you are finding poker chips twice that size, but I’ve also never seen one.

[North Butte]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

To each their own, I suppose, but again, the game has changed. There is much greater access to the game, and there's an entire sentiment across the sport to 'grow the game' which inherently means bringing new blood into the mix. If the 'grumpy old guy' only wants things to go his way, be played the old way, and makes no room for new trends in the game, that's exactly the elitist approach and mindset that does the opposite of grow the game.

 

It seems incredibly foolish to me that a 3" round, 1/4" tall piece of plastic would be distracting or off-putting to anyone. Music in the cart, I'll give you that, though I enjoy it, but we're talking about being annoyed, not just disliking, annoyed by someone using a ball marker. Just seems insane to me. Like I said....you play in your group, I'll play in mine, and hopefully never the two shall meet.

 

 

 

Are we exaggerating a bit on the size?

 

No I am talking about ones far larger and more coloful than thay.

 

I'm not sure where you are finding poker chips twice that size, but I've also never seen one.

 

Neither had I until the day that guy (in my original anecdote) tossed one down. To this day, still the biggest most garish one I've seen.

 

But more recently there are some I've seen for sale in a local golf shop that are a bit larger than the one pictured. Maybe people don't buy them to actually use on the course but that seems to be the idea.

 

Even a 1-1/2" one is still overkill IMO.

[chippa13]

I thought you were done with this?????

[OLD_BONES]

I have several man hole covers that I use for ball markers.

[Skaffa77]

DeadSolid...didn’t realize you were a Husker fan. Football season is around the corner! GBR!

 

Love the Husker poker chip!

[indianalawnguy]

I've only been around the game a quarter century or so, not really long enough to be pining away from wooden clubs or steel spikes.

 

I just miss when golfers were basically in the habit of staying out of other players' way and exercises basic courtesy.

 

I honestly don't think I ever met anyone 20 years ago who would have even considered playing music through a boombox in their golf cart during a round or tossing a 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic down on the putting green to "mark" their ball. Those are modern affectations that are each a very minor distraction or annoyance. But there's more of that crap every day and I've no problem with some "grumpy old guy" pushing back on it.

 

I completely agree with everything you have said in this post and i think what the old codger did was hillarious!

 

If someone wants to use a larger object like a poker chip when they are out of everyones way i dont have a prob with it, but once they get up close to the hole use somthing smaller for the love of god!

The entire speaker and music thing is stupid and annoying as hell. Save it for your car ride to and from the course.

 

To do stuff that you know pisses someone else off or annoys them is inconsiderate and childish.

[shaneyank]

This thread is out of control. I love it. GolfWRX should commemorate this with a special edition, 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic poker chip.

 

I don't like the poker chip ball marker thing, but I would buy it and use it just to remind myself of this chaos.

 

I mean, a dude literally got his tape measure out! I'm dying. Perhaps the aforementioned commemorative chip can have a tape measure decal on one side?

 

:lol:

[krtgolfing]

This thread is out of control. I love it. GolfWRX should commemorate this with a special edition, 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic poker chip.

 

I don't like the poker chip ball marker thing, but I would buy it and use it just to remind myself of this chaos.

 

I mean, a dude literally got his tape measure out! I'm dying. Perhaps the aforementioned commemorative chip can have a tape measure decal on one side?

 

:lol:

 

Seconded! Would love to piss off some grumpy old men over something so petty.

[deadsolid...shank]

This thread is out of control. I love it. GolfWRX should commemorate this with a special edition, 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic poker chip.

 

I don't like the poker chip ball marker thing, but I would buy it and use it just to remind myself of this chaos.

 

I mean, a dude literally got his tape measure out! I'm dying. Perhaps the aforementioned commemorative chip can have a tape measure decal on one side?

 

:lol:

 

Cool. I'm a dude now! I figured pulling out a tape measure that was in a drawer right next to my desk in order to refute an exaggeration was worth the the 30 seconds it took.

[deadsolid...shank]

DeadSolid...didn’t realize you were a Husker fan. Football season is around the corner! GBR!

 

Love the Husker poker chip!

 

Big time Skaffa. Other end of the state from you. Lots of excitement this year. First Husker memory was the 71 Oklahoma game, grandpa jumping on the couch during Johnny's punt return!

 

It's so sad, reading a preseason magazine last night, how truly irrelevant we are now on the CFB scene. Hopefully to change soon.

[Hateto3Putt]

This thread is out of control. I love it. GolfWRX should commemorate this with a special edition, 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic poker chip.

 

I don't like the poker chip ball marker thing, but I would buy it and use it just to remind myself of this chaos.

 

I mean, a dude literally got his tape measure out! I'm dying. Perhaps the aforementioned commemorative chip can have a tape measure decal on one side?

 

:lol:

 

Cool. I'm a dude now! I figured pulling out a tape measure that was in a drawer right next to my desk in order to refute an exaggeration was worth the the 30 seconds it took.

 

You’ll always be a dude in my book!

[North Butte]

In truth, the Deadsolid_Shank does abide...

[deadsolid...shank]

This thread is out of control. I love it. GolfWRX should commemorate this with a special edition, 3" diameter, 1/4" thick hung of plastic poker chip.

 

I don't like the poker chip ball marker thing, but I would buy it and use it just to remind myself of this chaos.

 

I mean, a dude literally got his tape measure out! I'm dying. Perhaps the aforementioned commemorative chip can have a tape measure decal on one side?

 

:lol:

 

Cool. I'm a dude now! I figured pulling out a tape measure that was in a drawer right next to my desk in order to refute an exaggeration was worth the the 30 seconds it took.

 

You’ll always be a dude in my book!

 

I’ll do damn near anything to try to win an argument here, since I never win one at home (not that I’ve ever won one here either?).

[Bearinthewoods]

This has been an entertaining read!

 

Personally wouldn't mind, I would just ask they move it if need be, but most of the folks around here already do that without you having to ask.

 

On a side note, this is something you wouldn't want a match play opponent to know, like telling them that using a non white ball is distracting to you.

[deadsolid...shank]

Like many others have said, I try to be aware of where the other lines are on the green. If I’m close to the hole and somebodies line I try to use a dime. If I’m away from hole but still close to someone elses’s line I’ll put the chip down but ask them if it’s OK.

[birdie_hunter]

Honestly I don’t see what the big deal is. Your putting line is only as wide as your golf ball, and while I understand that we’re not pros and don’t always hit our intended line, 1-2 putter heads should suffice just fine. Now if you’re distracted just by the mere presence of a 3”, colorful circle on the green then that’s on you. Although the rule book offers a suggestion to use a “small coin or similar object,” it is clear in that I can use whatever I want. If whatever I use is in your way, ask and I’ll move it out of your way.

[North Butte]

Although the rule book offers a suggestion to use a "small coin or similar object," it is clear in that I can use whatever I want. If whatever I use is in your way, ask and I'll move it out of your way.

 

The rule book doesn't say you can't tread on someone's "through line" or belch loudly during the middle of their backswing. We still refrain from doing those things because a) there's no need to do so and b) if we did it would likely annoy or distract someone.

[Togatown22]

Although the rule book offers a suggestion to use a "small coin or similar object," it is clear in that I can use whatever I want. If whatever I use is in your way, ask and I'll move it out of your way.

 

The rule book doesn't say you can't tread on someone's "through line" or belch loudly during the middle of their backswing. We still refrain from doing those things because a) there's no need to do so and b) if we did it would likely annoy or distract someone.

 

Again with the etiquette thing. Let it go; you're way too sensitive about this.