Loving the growth of golf right now, Loving the influx of people from all backgrounds but...

[Amps]

On 11/10/2020 at 2:38 PM, FakeClubPro said:

Oddly enough about tennis - a pretty extensive study was done on which sports/exercise added the most to a persons life span.  Tennis was the winner.   An Indian guy I know who is a PhD loves tennis.  He said it had everything to help keep people healthy and younger.

 

Tennis - basically shuttle runs masquerading as a sport. Reckon it must hammer the heart and cardio system, hence the health benefits. 

[FakeClubPro]

29 minutes ago, Amps said:

 

Tennis - basically shuttle runs masquerading as a sport. Reckon it must hammer the heart and cardio system, hence the health benefits. 

Yes.  The problem is as you get older, the knees cannot take it.  Old folks near me like Pickle Ball.

[Amps]

16 hours ago, FakeClubPro said:

Pickle Ball

 

Had to Google it, looks fun.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

1 hour ago, Amps said:

 

Had to Google it, looks fun.

It is fun.  To me it's akin to playing ping pong but being able to stand on the table... LOL!

[me05501]

This "unwritten rules" stuff can often be silly, just like in baseball. If these things were truly important they'd be written rules. 

 

Slow play is a problem. Not respecting the course is a problem. Pretty much everything else is just not worth fretting over. 

 

A great example of a course getting this balance right Sweeten's Cove which is pretty close to me. They take golf seriously, sure, but it's serious fun. The manager has poured my group shots of whisky before a 10am tee time. I've seen dogs and toddlers running around, fivesomes and sixsomes and people creating their own routing the second or third time around. I've been in a group where we threw dice to choose which tee to play on each hole. You can enjoy the course any way you please as long as you don't overly bother anyone else. 

 

If golf is going to keep growing after this crazy COVID year it's going to have to adapt to the style of entertainment that young people enjoy. If you jump into that way of thinking you might be surprised how much fun you have. 

[milesgiles]

4 hours ago, me05501 said:

This "unwritten rules" stuff can often be silly, just like in baseball. If these things were truly important they'd be written rules. 

 

Slow play is a problem. Not respecting the course is a problem. Pretty much everything else is just not worth fretting over. 

 

A great example of a course getting this balance right Sweeten's Cove which is pretty close to me. They take golf seriously, sure, but it's serious fun. The manager has poured my group shots of whisky before a 10am tee time. I've seen dogs and toddlers running around, fivesomes and sixsomes and people creating their own routing the second or third time around. I've been in a group where we threw dice to choose which tee to play on each hole. You can enjoy the course any way you please as long as you don't overly bother anyone else. 

 

If golf is going to keep growing after this crazy COVID year it's going to have to adapt to the style of entertainment that young people enjoy. If you jump into that way of thinking you might be surprised how much fun you have. 

 

Im not sure I’d enjoy a 6 some cutting across the course randomly to end up a couple of holes in front of me..

[me05501]

31 minutes ago, milesgiles said:

 

Im not sure I’d enjoy a 6 some cutting across the course randomly to end up a couple of holes in front of me..

“as long as you don’t bother anyone else” is the biggest rule there. 

[The Pearl]

On 11/13/2020 at 2:27 PM, me05501 said:

“as long as you don’t bother anyone else” is the biggest rule there. 

Except people do stuff and are oblivious that they are bothering somebody.  Everybody thinks they play fast, etc.  The "music" is the perfect example consistent with the famous "driving studies".  Almost all drivers rate themselves as far above average. Everybody that plays music believes that they play their music so only that they hear it, yet most every round you hear somebody's music. 

 

I have played behind a 5somes that were amazingly fast. But most 5somes are slow by the simple fact that they are a 5some. The "well chosen" example of a fast 5some or a 6some cutting across a course not getting in the way is fine, but eventually this results in a "slippery slope."

[Carl Spackler3]

Well clubs are less coved worried in NC, no more single person carts here.

[straightshot7]

I wish more courses had great marshals that would politely enforce pace of play and maybe even teach people how to fix their ball marks, etc. if they are new to the game.

 

It seems like none of the courses I play in the Southern Cali area seem to have marshals anymore. 

 

A great marshal could go a long way toward helping to fix these issues and teach new players the little things. 

[EMA1]

1 hour ago, straightshot7 said:

I wish more courses had great marshals that would politely enforce pace of play and maybe even teach people how to fix their ball marks, etc. if they are new to the game.

 

It seems like none of the courses I play in the Southern Cali area seem to have marshals anymore. 

 

A great marshal could go a long way toward helping to fix these issues and teach new players the little things. 

 

I am in SoCal too and couldn't agree more. I only know of a few courses with marshals and it is really starting to show.

 

Pace of play is horrible, course conditions are shot, and golf etiquette is nowhere to be found. 

[Fairway14]

Marshalls receive a free round of golf for every 4 hours of time served working as a Marshall.

[TIM929]

25 minutes ago, erikalfstad said:

 

I am in SoCal too and couldn't agree more. I only know of a few courses with marshals and it is really starting to show.

 

Pace of play is horrible, course conditions are shot, and golf etiquette is nowhere to be found. 

Only Marshall’s I see in SoCal are the ones I buy my close out nikes from which we can’t post on the BST.  

Edited November 19, 2020 by TIM929

[HappyGilmoresBoots]

2 hours ago, straightshot7 said:

I wish more courses had great marshals that would politely enforce pace of play and maybe even teach people how to fix their ball marks, etc. if they are new to the game.

 

It seems like none of the courses I play in the Southern Cali area seem to have marshals anymore. 

 

A great marshal could go a long way toward helping to fix these issues and teach new players the little things. 

But then we couldn't come on here and complain endlessly about people who don't play the game exactly like we do.

[Amps]

19 hours ago, straightshot7 said:

I wish more courses had great marshals

 

The more I play the more I want to see this. It's always good to have a chat with a starter, but even better if you see a few faces on the round too. It's some how nice to know someone gives a flying frisbee about the product they are selling. 

[phizzy30]

On 10/29/2020 at 2:23 PM, cval said:

Teach the most important etiquette lesson in golf, pace of play. I can live with all the other stuff to a certain extent but please play quickly. If you are putting for 10 pick-up, go to your ball and get ready to hit while your partners play. Play ready golf.

Amen, brother.  I too can tolerate a lot of stuff on the course, but the one thing that really gets under my skin is slow play.  I've even played with drunks on a few occasions and the guys ended up to be pretty cool albeit a bit loud and at times obnoxious although not overly so.  People come from all walks of life so we must learn tolerance and I will be the first to admit I have gotten a lot better at it now that I am older and have more life experience under my belt.  With that being said, there is absolutely no excuse for slow play.  

[golfer929]

I think half of this thread can just be summed up as “Old man shakes fist at sky” Gentleman, things change over time. I’m sure your grandfathers were complaining about how slow pace was back then and they hated that you drove carts nowadays and that nobody fixed ball marks. They probably hated listening to your 70’s and 80’s rock bands too!

[RoyalMustang]

I am with you. The first round I ever played, with my grandma in 5th grade, was a lesson etiquette.  It had nothing to do with hitting the ball. It was: "where do you stand? When is it your turn?  How do you replace a divot?  Why you don't walk in someone else's putting path.  When is it appropriate to pull the pin?   Why you don't move or speak when someone else is hitting."

 

I spent 25 years away and things are shockingly different today.  Every day I play, there is usually at least one group of idiots I have to contend with, usually guys on the younger side.  Playing multiple balls, goofing around in carts, being super loud, holding up play.   I recently had a group of college frat bros pick up my ball as I was walking toward it.  They were looking for their wayward ball, saw mine, and decided to pocket it; I had to chase them down!  Later, I saw the same group driving a cart up on the green. 

 

Yesterday, we had a group of little kids out there driving carts (about 9 years old-they shouldn't have been operating carts as they kept hitting one another), and they were spending 10 minutes on the green, just goofing around while a big stack of groups waited behind.  Last week, it was Jr. high kids who knew not a thing about etiquette and were playing in groups of 8; they just showed up for a shotgun start in the middle of the day and everyone already playing got stuck out the course.  

 

Certainly, back then as a kid, it was different: loud music at the course wasn't a thing. Carts weren't a thing.  It was about golf and not so much about getting drunk with buddies and being loud.  One didn't just show up and start playing golf: you were brought in by someone and taught the ropes. 

 

   

[PostandGhost]

No one has even brought up the most important golf etiquette there is, pay your bets quickly.  I don't want to run you down in the parking lot before you leave to get that money.  Fast pay makes fast friends.  Download Venmo, download CashApp, stop by your local C-store and get money before you come to the course.  Whatever you gotta do.  If someone gives you work, you gotta square up.  Make peace with the fact you just caught the smoke.  If your kid has to skip lunch a few days at school, so be it.  Don't be triggered because your game is trash.  Gotta take a loss to be a boss.  

[RoyalMustang]

24 minutes ago, From_Parts_Unknown said:

No one has even brought up the most important golf etiquette there is, pay your bets quickly.  I don't want to run you down in the parking lot before you leave to get that money.  Fast pay makes fast friends.  Download Venmo, download CashApp, stop by your local C-store and get money before you come to the course.  Whatever you gotta do.  If someone gives you work, you gotta square up.  Make peace with the fact you just caught the smoke.  If your kid has to skip lunch a few days at school, so be it.  Don't be triggered because your game is trash.  Gotta take a loss to be a boss.  

 

Ha! I got stiffed for $20 a couple of weeks back and the guy was supposedly a friend of mine.  It was his idea to play for money anyways

[Roody]

38 minutes ago, From_Parts_Unknown said:

No one has even brought up the most important golf etiquette there is, pay your bets quickly.  I don't want to run you down in the parking lot before you leave to get that money.  Fast pay makes fast friends.  Download Venmo, download CashApp, stop by your local C-store and get money before you come to the course.  Whatever you gotta do.  If someone gives you work, you gotta square up.  Make peace with the fact you just caught the smoke.  If your kid has to skip lunch a few days at school, so be it.  Don't be triggered because your game is trash.  Gotta take a loss to be a boss.  

 

I had a friend tell me a long time ago that "unpaid golf debts are bad karma". 

[Amps]

On 11/24/2020 at 6:30 PM, From_Parts_Unknown said:

get money before you come to the course

 

Always play for cold hard cash and make sure everyone stumps up before the first tee. 

Edited November 28, 2020 by Amps
Missing return.

[Amps]

On 11/24/2020 at 5:47 PM, RoyalMustang said:

Jr. high kids who knew not a thing about etiquette and were playing in groups of 8; they just showed up for a shotgun start in the middle of the day and everyone already playing got stuck out the course.  

 

You complained and got your money back though, yeah? 

[RainShadow]

On 11/1/2020 at 7:59 AM, nsxguy said:

 

1.2 Standards of Player Conduct

All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:

• Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.

• Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player.

• Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.

 

You've NEVER hit a bad shot ? Or you just don't know what caused it ? 

 

There's a reason there is "dead silence" in golf and in tennis. You are out there on an island and concentration and preparation for the shot is paramount. You're not in a huge stadium in a TEAM game where reflexes, reaction, and quickness and conditioning are the main ingredients. Concentration ? Not so much.

 

And it's never really dead silent on the golf course anyway. Birds are chirping, traffic is often driving right by. It's the unexpected noise and/or unnatural noises that distract a player - often right in his backswing. 

 

Also from the Rules FAQs - 

Making a Stroke

Playing Music During Stroke

Q.May I play music?

A.Yes. However, you may not do so if the purpose is to eliminate distractions or help you with your swing. You should also show consideration to others (see Rule 4.3a(4) and Rule 1.2).

 

Rule 4.3a(4)

(4) Audio and Video.

• Allowed.

  • Listening to audio or watching video on matters unrelated to the competition being played (such as a news report or background music).

  • But in doing so, consideration should be shown to others (see Rule 1.2).

• Not Allowed.

  • Listening to music or other audio to eliminate distractions or to help with swing tempo

It's 2020.....Rules are for suckers! (Sarc)

[RainShadow]

On 11/24/2020 at 10:47 AM, RoyalMustang said:

I am with you. The first round I ever played, with my grandma in 5th grade, was a lesson etiquette.  It had nothing to do with hitting the ball. It was: "where do you stand? When is it your turn?  How do you replace a divot?  Why you don't walk in someone else's putting path.  When is it appropriate to pull the pin?   Why you don't move or speak when someone else is hitting."

 

I spent 25 years away and things are shockingly different today.  Every day I play, there is usually at least one group of idiots I have to contend with, usually guys on the younger side.  Playing multiple balls, goofing around in carts, being super loud, holding up play.   I recently had a group of college frat bros pick up my ball as I was walking toward it.  They were looking for their wayward ball, saw mine, and decided to pocket it; I had to chase them down!  Later, I saw the same group driving a cart up on the green. 

 

Yesterday, we had a group of little kids out there driving carts (about 9 years old-they shouldn't have been operating carts as they kept hitting one another), and they were spending 10 minutes on the green, just goofing around while a big stack of groups waited behind.  Last week, it was Jr. high kids who knew not a thing about etiquette and were playing in groups of 8; they just showed up for a shotgun start in the middle of the day and everyone already playing got stuck out the course.  

 

Certainly, back then as a kid, it was different: loud music at the course wasn't a thing. Carts weren't a thing.  It was about golf and not so much about getting drunk with buddies and being loud.  One didn't just show up and start playing golf: you were brought in by someone and taught the ropes. 

 

   

Very telling that there's only one "Like" on this post.

Sad state our society is in....

 

[milesgiles]

On 11/24/2020 at 2:53 PM, golfer929 said:

I think half of this thread can just be summed up as “Old man shakes fist at sky” Gentleman, things change over time. I’m sure your grandfathers were complaining about how slow pace was back then and they hated that you drove carts nowadays and that nobody fixed ball marks. They probably hated listening to your 70’s and 80’s rock bands too!

 

Really? Nothing changed from my grandfathers time to mine. I’ve never taken a buggy, always fixed ballmarks,  never played music etc. They’d have had no cause to complain at all.

 

the recent yobbery, yes they would 

[RainShadow]

On 11/18/2020 at 5:15 PM, straightshot7 said:

I wish more courses had great marshals that would politely enforce pace of play and maybe even teach people how to fix their ball marks, etc. if they are new to the game.

 

It seems like none of the courses I play in the Southern Cali area seem to have marshals anymore. 

 

A great marshal could go a long way toward helping to fix these issues and teach new players the little things. 

 Too many word not alloweds threatening marshalls is why they don't have them anymore at most public courses.

[RoyalMustang]

18 hours ago, Amps said:

 

You complained and got your money back though, yeah? 

 

Not exactly: he credited my account for a future round when I complained. It was all he could do, but I was OK with that. They are usually pretty cool to me at that course.  The people I was playing with however were pissed, as they paid for 18 and had to catch a plane later in the afternoon.  They didn't expect to be at the course for 5 hours playing a 3800 yard par 60 exec. course so they had to bail after 7 holes. 

[kmay__]

On 11/24/2020 at 1:30 PM, From_Parts_Unknown said:

No one has even brought up the most important golf etiquette there is, pay your bets quickly.  I don't want to run you down in the parking lot before you leave to get that money.  Fast pay makes fast friends.  Download Venmo, download CashApp, stop by your local C-store and get money before you come to the course.  Whatever you gotta do.  If someone gives you work, you gotta square up.  Make peace with the fact you just caught the smoke.  If your kid has to skip lunch a few days at school, so be it.  Don't be triggered because your game is trash.  Gotta take a loss to be a boss.  

 

Easy there Green Bast*rd.

[Soloman1]

On 11/13/2020 at 1:55 PM, milesgiles said:

If golf is going to keep growing after this crazy COVID year it's going to have to adapt to the style of entertainment that young people enjoy. If you jump into that way of thinking you might be surprised how much fun you have. 

 

Some people don't want golf to "keep growing" if it means 5 hour rounds and loud music.

Some people don't want "young people entertainment" (whatever that means...) or be around goofballs calling them "bro."

Some people prefer to just play golf, enjoy the course, the fresh air, any good camaraderie that they may have with playing partners without having to bend to the will of young "others."

 

Oh, and get off my lawn.