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

[DMag]

Good thread.

If pace of play, care for the course and general etiquette (respect while others are hitting) are the key concerns here, why not make those the priority in the club's 'rules'? Too often we see a manual on dress code; collared shirts, length of pants, type of sock etc.. New golfers ultimately see this and a) think it's a barrier to playing or b) feel they've now met the main criteria by wearing a collared shirt so can play how they want on the course.

Start with what's important: take care of the course, play at a good pace and respect others. De-emphasising the dress-code might make that shift in understanding easier.

[Soloman1]

For posterity, the reader should be aware that "extrastiff" has edited out comments that he denied saying.

[Warrior42111]

I think the solution is let the money do the talking. If a course decides to allow or not allow or enforce certain rules money will do the talking. If people leave, the course doesn't make money. 

 

Am I being overly simplistic? Yes. But really this is a forum on what golf should be, and shouldn't the people playing golf make that decision via their wallets.

[nsxguy]

18 hours ago, extrastiff said:

Definitely. We must protect the collared shirt! In fact, we must return to bigger, fancier collars! That fabric is essential!

 

And to make sure our youth stays away from sunshirts with those daggone hoodies on them. If they can’t play in high-UV, dangerous conditions everyday without face,  bottom ear, and neck protection like the majority of us golfers (especially young ones, how often do they wear bucket hats?), they don’t deserve to experience our exclusive way of life! 
 

And to the children that would rather more breathable, healthier forms of sun protection than sunscreen or antiquated golf clothing... too bad!

 

 

[extrastiff]

6 hours ago, Soloman1 said:

For posterity, the reader should be aware that "extrastiff" has edited out comments that he denied saying.

Again with the no quote, what a stud. What are u talking about? There is clear proof I was responding to seis with the “xenophobic” and “son” comment, and u took it upon yourself to respond. 
 

I deleted comments after that, which for the record was calling you a coward for not responding to my points and making stupid jokes. Which ur still doing. But I decided u would Ignore my points, so it was a worthless endeavor. And still called u a xenophobic person after the fact....

 

so not sure what I’m denying besides something there is clear proof u are wrong about based on time stamps.  
 

you are funny.

 

edit:I looked back, I didn’t even edit the “xenophobe” comment...ur gonna have to read us in on what in the world u are talking about plz

Edited December 2, 2020 by extrastiff

[phizzy30]

22 hours ago, extrastiff said:

Definitely. We must protect the collared shirt! In fact, we must return to bigger, fancier collars! That fabric is essential!

 

And to make sure our youth stays away from sunshirts with those daggone hoodies on them. If they can’t play in high-UV, dangerous conditions everyday without face,  bottom ear, and neck protection like the majority of us golfers (especially young ones, how often do they wear bucket hats?), they don’t deserve to experience our exclusive way of life! 
 

And to the children that would rather more breathable, healthier forms of sun protection than sunscreen or antiquated golf clothing... too bad!

I wore a hoodie for the first time a couple weeks ago on the course after the Tyrell Hatton hoodie incident when he won that tournament.  It was great.  I've never worn denim out on the course but am giving it some serious thought.  Of course I would do this at courses where there is no code.  This is coming from a country club boy who grew up with a bunch of far right conservative members at my father's private cc who would sneer and snicker at anyone who wore cargo shorts and untucked collared shirts.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

36 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

I wore a hoodie for the first time a couple weeks ago on the course after the Tyrell Hatton hoodie incident when he won that tournament.  It was great.  I've never worn denim out on the course but am giving it some serious thought.  Of course I would do this at courses where there is no code.  This is coming from a country club boy who grew up with a bunch of far right conservative members at my father's private cc who would sneer and snicker at anyone who wore cargo shorts and untucked collared shirts.

Pro Tip-- Denim sucks if you're trying to stay warm or it's the least bit damp.  If you want to wear something non-golf that's performs in cooler, damp weather then give these a try.  https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/12951063/mens-guide-pro-pants?sp=1&rrec=true  DWR, stretch, close fitting.  They are awesome.

 

Now if you're goal is to get under some peoples skin then that's an entirely different matter 🙂

 

True story--- another "never judge a book by its cover"--- One time on a public course I get randomly paired with a 20something for some fall golf.  He was wearing black jeans, black shoes, button down shirt, leather vest, wallet with the big silver chain, long hair and a straggly beard.  I thought, oh boy this is going to be interesting.  Well turns out he was a very nice and polite guy. He wasn't very good at golf but he moved right along.  He asked for advice a few times and it was clear he was trying to do the right things.  We had a nice round together.

Edited December 2, 2020 by BlackDiamondPar5

[extrastiff]

22 minutes ago, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

Pro Tip-- Denim sucks if you're trying to stay warm or it's the least bit damp.  If you want to wear something non-golf that's performs in cooler, damp weather then give these a try.  https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/12951063/mens-guide-pro-pants?sp=1&rrec=true  DWR, stretch, close fitting.  They are awesome.

 

Now if you're goal is to get under some peoples skin then that's an entirely different matter 🙂

 

True story--- another "never judge a book by its cover"--- One time on a public course I get randomly paired with a 20something for some fall golf.  He was wearing black jeans, black shoes, button down shirt, leather vest, wallet with the big silver chain, long hair and a straggly beard.  I thought, oh boy this is going to be interesting.  Well turns out he was a very nice and polite guy. He wasn't very good at golf but he moved right along.  He asked for advice a few times and it was clear he was trying to do the right things.  We had a nice round together.

I was like.. a denim hoodie?

 

Great points about judgement, I apologize to @Soloman1 and @Body_Visionsfor the snark and judgements. Unnecessary escalations. 

 

 I think we can make some interesting and functional golf happen in this day and age with more collaboration between individuals working to accept each other’s needs and wants. 

Edited December 2, 2020 by extrastiff

[Soloman1]

Good comment extrastiff. I apologize too.

 

Most of what of what I write is meant as humor and not to be taken seriously.

 

Cheers.

 

 

[pktaske]

4 hours ago, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

Pro Tip-- Denim sucks if you're trying to stay warm or it's the least bit damp.  If you want to wear something non-golf that's performs in cooler, damp weather then give these a try.  https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/12951063/mens-guide-pro-pants?sp=1&rrec=true  DWR, stretch, close fitting.  They are awesome.

 

 

How is that non-golf? I have 5 pairs bought FOR golf. 😆

 

Marry them with some thin superthermal bottoms and they do well keeping you warm.

[TIM929]

7 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

I wore a hoodie for the first time a couple weeks ago on the course after the Tyrell Hatton hoodie incident when he won that tournament.  It was great.  I've never worn denim out on the course but am giving it some serious thought.  Of course I would do this at courses where there is no code.  This is coming from a country club boy who grew up with a bunch of far right conservative members at my father's private cc who would sneer and snicker at anyone who wore cargo shorts and untucked collared shirts.

im not with denim, but dressing loose feels good and looks good on the course. I'm not really drawn towards the best buy/target employee fashion trends. Chick fil a employees sprinkled all over the course.

Edited December 3, 2020 by TIM929

[Body_Visions]

5 hours ago, extrastiff said:

I was like.. a denim hoodie?

 

Great points about judgement, I apologize to @Soloman1 and @Body_Visionsfor the snark and judgements. Unnecessary escalations. 

 

 I think we can make some interesting and functional golf happen in this day and age with more collaboration between individuals working to accept each other’s needs and wants. 

 

No problem. 

 

I must have missed the good stuff.😳

[Hogan9]

While I realize having more people play is good for the game, there are some drawbacks. It is becoming harder to get tee times at our club. So many members are "working from home" and their kids are not in school. It's put a strain on our course. Also, since we've gone off Daylight Savings Time and the days are shorter, the golf window is pretty narrow.  I really hope that once we get COVID under control (if we do) people will go back to work and back to playing tennis so things will open up on the course. 

Edited December 25, 2020 by Hogan9

[Jwin323]

On 10/31/2020 at 7:01 PM, chippa13 said:

But golf doesn't have an exclusivity problem.

Golf was meant to be exclusive. And it’s not a problem.

[Jwin323]

On 11/7/2020 at 2:36 PM, Soloman1 said:

Did Patrick Reed move the dead guys arm on his practice swing?

 

I'm not as smart as most of you, so my idea is very primitive.

 

All these 1,000's of rangers driving around waving at people (but never getting anyone to play faster) should get out of the damn cart and fix ball marks on greens while players are driving/walking to the greens after hitting their second/third shots.

 

This costs nothing, zero, nada and improves the course and experience of the customers.

 

But you'd think you were asking them for loan if you suggest this. The course management look at you like you're nuts and the rangers will want to attack you with a rake.

The rangers will not attack with rakes. That requires effort. And they’re ambassadors, not rangers.

[Jwin323]

On 11/18/2020 at 5:35 PM, 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. 

My brother’s a marshal at a SoCal course. His highlight reel consists of harassing Reggie Bush about paying the walking rate but riding in his buddy’s cart.

[Jwin323]

On 11/30/2020 at 5:23 PM, Soloman1 said:

I’m about 45 years older than the 20-something who called me “bro.” I didn’t think that was particularly respectful.

Don’t bro me if you don’t know me.

[Jwin323]

On 12/1/2020 at 2:17 PM, Dr. Block said:

haha, if you think that sounds bad, you ought to step on the public courses around here on the weekends. It's like Caddy Shack 2 with more booze and worse acting (hard to imagine that is even possible)

I see you’re from Aurora. Ever run into Wayne and Garth on the course?

[Dr. Block]

22 hours ago, Jwin323 said:

I see you’re from Aurora. Ever run into Wayne and Garth on the course?

Not on the course, but sometimes at Stan Mikita’s Donuts.

[Jwin323]

^^Like the avatar. One of my all time favorite films.

[Dr. Block]

51 minutes ago, Jwin323 said:

^^Like the avatar. One of my all time favorite films.

Thank you. One of my favorites as well. Paul Newman had some amazing performances, but there was something about his grown up “fast Eddie” Felson: the perfect combination of cool, suave, and class. He deserved an Oscar for many of his performances; I’m glad he at least got the one for, “The Color of Money.” 
 

Edited December 31, 2020 by Dr. Block

[milesgiles]

4 hours ago, Dr. Block said:

Thank you. One of my favorites as well. Paul Newman had some amazing performances, but there was something about his grown up “fast Eddie” Felson: the perfect combination of cool, suave, and class. He deserved an Oscar for many of his performances; I’m glad he at least got the one for, “The Color of Money.” 
 

 

It’s a top 5 film for me.. and I really didn’t like The Hustler much lol.. Allegedly Newman preferred the original

[Jwin323]

16 hours ago, Dr. Block said:

Thank you. One of my favorites as well. Paul Newman had some amazing performances, but there was something about his grown up “fast Eddie” Felson: the perfect combination of cool, suave, and class. He deserved an Oscar for many of his performances; I’m glad he at least got the one for, “The Color of Money.” 
 

Couldn’t agree more. Dr., you definitely strike me as someone I would enjoy 4 hours on the course with. And maybe another 4 in the 19th hole as well. Happy New Year.

[freowho]

I started playing in the 80's and it was compulsory for all members to attend at least 2 of the several busy bees held each year where we would go around the course clearing low level branches and vegetation. I did a weeks work experience with the green staff relaying the first green. The club would give us our pennant shirt and a new ball each game and all players and caddies would sit down to a meal after the game paid for by the club. I would go to the club after school knowing there would be at least a dozen other kids I could have putting or chipping contests with or play some holes. I enjoyed being at the golf club more than my own home and I would have been mortified if someone had to warn me I had done the wrong thing. 

Yes, I'm an old man yelling at a cloud. But I often see groups today who are proud of being kicked out of a facility!!! People are disconnected from their community and it's sad to see.

[Soloman1]

never mind . . .

 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2021 by Soloman1

[SamboRoll]

On 10/29/2020 at 10:55 PM, stecho67 said:

I really am excited for golf right now and how its growing so rapidly to all different corners of the world.  I love that so many people who have never even swung a golf club have come to find what an amazing sport this is in so many different aspects.  I do have one worry though...

 

I started playing around 1996 thanks to my Dad who was obsessed with golf.  When I was in kindergarten we moved to a house in Westchester, NY that had a golf course pretty much right out of the backyard.  I still remember the first time he took me out to the course.  I was elated. I panicked.  I shat my pants.  

 

As I was getting myself together my Dad said, "Throw on some slacks and a polo shirt".  This was the first of one of many lessons that day that had nothing to do with my golf swing, score or game.  It was the first of many lessons that made me love the game.  Golf etiquette.  

 

So now going back to my one worry.  Yes I love how the game is growing but I feel that there is no one teaching these simple unwritten rules of golf that are, in my opinion, such an important part of the game and the way it was played in the beginning and how it should be played till the end.  Divots not being replaced, ball marks not being fixed, music being blasted, moving and talking while someone's on the tee, etc etc...    I certainly try and do my part in the most polite way I can but I have had instances where people would get angry about me telling them what to do.   I wish maybe the golf channel or some YTers would spend a bit more time on teachings such as these especially with so many new people coming to the game.  There are endless videos out there on new clubs, balls, lessons, etc, yet almost nada on golf etiquette.  (Hint YTers)

 

Any opinions?

 

Thanks

 

 

Yeah, I agree you on many of the things in today’s recreational golf. I started to play in 1991 as a junior and where I’m from you had to achieve a ”Green Card”, sort of a golfer’s drivers license before even allowed to go and play on the course. The test itself was a no joke either with the rules part and culminating to playing few holes with a senior club member who delivered you this unwritten code of conduct and etiquette on how to behave on the course. The whole process thought you respect for the game and passed its great traditions in a way that seems from a different world compared to today’s way of doing things where profit, ease and instant access are pioritized. Golf is being dumbed down among many other things in today’s society.
 

For me the fundamental philosophy of golf is that it is supposed to be hard - not easy- and through that teach you on being humble and controlling your emotions, behaving yourself in front of others and giving respect towards the course and fellow players. Playing a round of golf with someone is a good way of seeing the sides of their character that get hidden in a normal everyday life. 
 

Yes, I support the idea of easy access, low price public courses and some driving ranges where you can just blast balls, listen to music, and have a couple of beers with your buddies. But this should’t become the norm, because golf is by design a game of mindfullness that releaves you from the noice and stimulus overload of today’s society. If we jeopardise these features just because people don’t have the patience and focus anymore to learn anything that doesn’t provide them instant reward, we will end up ruining and watering down a great sport.

 

ps. IMO golf carts should be only allowed to disabled players and blasting music from the carts on the course should be banned, period. Long distance walking is one of the greatest health benefits golf provides and it also helps people to calm down and notify their playing environment better during the round.

[Body_Visions]

On 12/31/2020 at 5:02 AM, milesgiles said:

 

It’s a top 5 film for me.. and I really didn’t like The Hustler much lol.. Allegedly Newman preferred the original

 

 

You don’t like The Hustler??  I would have a hard time picking a favorite, but it would probably win by a nose.  

[Loki]

2 hours ago, SamboRoll said:

Yes, I support the idea of easy access, low price public courses...

This reeks of government intervention. Business people aren't interested in losing money. Making money with a golf course is a difficult endeavor at a decent course with somewhat affordable prices as it is.

[MK7Golf21]

On 10/29/2020 at 9:02 PM, pktaske said:

Slow play is annoying but has always been with us. Music playing from carts is now widespread and most bothersome. Ruins others aesthetic enjoyment of the game.

I don’t run into much of the issues people mention in this thread with the exception of slow play at our public park district courses. This is where you usually get the players with high handicaps who don’t play much and you have those types playing all day during the summer. They usually stand over the shot forever, hit it short and way offline and think they have to putt everything out.

 

Other than that, I don’t mind music playing in carts etc. I kinda like it actually. The pro’s even do this during their practice rounds nowadays. I don’t personally do it but I have friends who do.

[pinhigh27]

7 hours ago, SamboRoll said:

Yeah, I agree you on many of the things in today’s recreational golf. I started to play in 1991 as a junior and where I’m from you had to achieve a ”Green Card”, sort of a golfer’s drivers license before even allowed to go and play on the course. The test itself was a no joke either with the rules part and culminating to playing few holes with a senior club member who delivered you this unwritten code of conduct and etiquette on how to behave on the course. The whole process thought you respect for the game and passed its great traditions in a way that seems from a different world compared to today’s way of doing things where profit, ease and instant access are pioritized. Golf is being dumbed down among many other things in today’s society.
 

For me the fundamental philosophy of golf is that it is supposed to be hard - not easy- and through that teach you on being humble and controlling your emotions, behaving yourself in front of others and giving respect towards the course and fellow players. Playing a round of golf with someone is a good way of seeing the sides of their character that get hidden in a normal everyday life. 
 

Yes, I support the idea of easy access, low price public courses and some driving ranges where you can just blast balls, listen to music, and have a couple of beers with your buddies. But this should’t become the norm, because golf is by design a game of mindfullness that releaves you from the noice and stimulus overload of today’s society. If we jeopardise these features just because people don’t have the patience and focus anymore to learn anything that doesn’t provide them instant reward, we will end up ruining and watering down a great sport.

 

ps. IMO golf carts should be only allowed to disabled players and blasting music from the carts on the course should be banned, period. Long distance walking is one of the greatest health benefits golf provides and it also helps people to calm down and notify their playing environment better during the round.

Mindfulness ? It’s hitting a ball in a hole .

 
golf can be whatever you want to be. Idk why people always want to say golf is this or that or tell people how they should behave