Was I wrong?

[GrandStranded]

I’m a left handed player, and was at my club’s driving range recently trying to break in a new set of irons.

There was another LH next to me and he noticed they were PXG. He started going on about new equipment not making anyone better, blah blah.

The guy was an awful golfer, laying sod all over the place. He was playing very old clubs, which really doesn’t matter, but his swing was beyond bad. Anyway, I could sense him watching me hit the new irons, and he strolled back to my bag and pulled out a club, then asked if he could give them a try.

I got a little annoyed he went into my bag, and told him, “No, I’d rather you didn’t, put the club back and please keep away from my bag”. He gave me a look, but before he could say anything I told him, “you just went on for 5 minutes about how new clubs can’t help anyone, and now you’re looking to hit mine?”

The guy stormed away, and I kind of felt bad, but honestly, I didn’t want him hitting my clubs. Two guys hitting near me heard the entire exchange and said I’d done nothing wrong. Still, I’m wondering what you guys think.... was I being a jerk?

[MtlJeff]

I don't think you were being a jerk. Asking to hit someone's clubs isn't cool

 

I think what you said was kinda funny TBH...If he thinks new clubs aren't worth it than he can keep using his

[jwhite86]

I see nothing wrong with that exchange

[LUXOR54]

Wait wait wait, you were minding your own business at the range, and someone starts ranting to you just because of the contents of your bag, then without permission they take a club out of your bag and ask to hit it? Screw that guy. You're definitely in the right, I personally would have used less kind language

Edited March 22, 2021 by LUXOR54

[Pepperturbo]

If you're at a public green grass with a range, NO.  I wouldn't let any stranger hit my clubs, least of all a hack.  However, if you were at a private green grass club, and it's range, you may have created an image that is one-sided.  

[JimmyC59]

7 minutes ago, john myrbch said:

I’m a left handed player, and was at my club’s driving range recently trying to break in a new set of irons.

There was another LH next to me and he noticed they were PXG. He started going on about new equipment not making anyone better, blah blah.

The guy was an awful golfer, laying sod all over the place. He was playing very old clubs, which really doesn’t matter, but his swing was beyond bad. Anyway, I could sense him watching me hit the new irons, and he strolled back to my bag and pulled out a club, then asked if he could give them a try.

I got a little annoyed he went into my bag, and told him, “No, I’d rather you didn’t, put the club back and please keep away from my bag”. He gave me a look, but before he could say anything I told him, “you just went on for 5 minutes about how new clubs can’t help anyone, and now you’re looking to hit mine?”

The guy stormed away, and I kind of felt bad, but honestly, I didn’t want him hitting my clubs. Two guys hitting near me heard the entire exchange and said I’d done nothing wrong. Still, I’m wondering what you guys think.... was I being a jerk?

In a word?

No.

You don't go into anyone's bag.

I mean, I can grab a club out of my regular playing partners bag, but a stranger?

Never!

Even with my friend, I would never actually hit it without asking first.

[Farmingtongolfer17]

That's the scenario they build demos and have fitting days for.  He's lucky the reply was as nice as it was, considering he went in you bag without asking.

[lefthack]

Yeah, keep your meat beaters off my clubs, thanks. Had the situation been different, the reaction would likely be different.

[GrandStranded]

23 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

If you're at a public green grass with a range, NO.  I wouldn't let any stranger hit my clubs, least of all a hack.  However, if you were at a private green grass club, and it's range, you may have created an image that is one-sided.  

It’s a semi private club, and I’ve lived on the property for 10 years. The range is split into member and non member sections. That day the non member section was less crowde so I went there, only because I think some Rh players are bothered seeing a lefthander swing out of the corner of their eye hitting right next them.

As far as a one sided version, i tried very hard in the OP to make it clear I was concerned I came off as “that guy” and tried to put my side of the story in the worst light I could for myself because of that. I did unintentionally  leave out that he heard the guy next to me ask about the DTC process with pxg irons after he noticed them before our exchanges happened. Maybe that piqued his interest?

 

Edited March 22, 2021 by john myrbch

[Cpr3584]

Nope you did the right thing, guy had no business making comments like that. 

[krtgolfing]

I would of been livid if a stranger just randomly pulls a golf club out my bad. If a guy would of asked I would probably say no in a polite manner. No issues with what you did in my book.

[MattM97]

No you're not in the wrong there. Especially like you said dude was on a rant about how clubs didn't work and honestly if he took a swing he'd probably chunk it like he did the rest.

 

I've only had 1 random person take a club out of my bag, but they asked first and we were just chatting away on a tee box. If it was like your situation I would say no just like you did. 

[Krt22]

You handled it exceptionally 

[braincramp52]

6 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

You handled it exceptionally 

This^

[PEI_Golfer]

19 minutes ago, krtgolfing said:

I would of been livid if a stranger just randomly pulls a golf club out my bad. If a guy would of asked I would probably say no in a polite manner. No issues with what you did in my book.

 

This is more or less how I see things.  Unless I know you and are a friend, basically don't ever touch my clubs.  OP, you did nothing wrong and in all likelihood, were far nicer about it than many would have been.  Don't give a second thought to that persons 'feelings', his entitlement is still dripping off of him as he walked away.

Edited March 22, 2021 by PEI_Golfer

[jomatty]

Once he grabbed a club out of my bag without asking there is no way I’m letting him hit it.  I’m happy to let guys I know hit my clubs but it would never cross my mind to ask someone who I didn’t know to hit their clubs.  If a stranger asked politely it would be a case by case basis.  I’d probably let most folks hit an iron but if I saw they were not hitting it well, there is no way I’m letting them hit a driver or wood and risk having to look at a dummy mark for the clubs life.  It’s frustrating enough if I have to look at one that I made...

[m052310]

Don't feel bad. That dude got less crap than he earned during the exchange. 

[LeoLeo99]

Sometimes we need to get a little nasty when the situation warrants it.  

[Cpr3584]

Gotta love the know-it-alls on the range. But nothing beats getting paired with a guy with a $2,500 bag who tops it 15 yards on the first tee 

[blazman11]

I think you should’ve let him hit it. Then was he was leaving, go sit behind the wheel of his car with your hand out asking for the keys so you can take his car out for a test drive. 

[aenemated]

Not wrong at all. This dude sounds like a grade A jerk. 

 

Like WTF, who just rolls up and grabs a club out of someone else's bag? I wouldn't even do that to one of my best buddies in my regular group; let alone a stranger. 

[cgasucks]

The OP wasn't being a jerk.  He did the right thing.  I'd done the same thing too. 

 

I would also tell the guy that it's the Indian and not the arrow.

[MattM97]

14 minutes ago, Cpr3584 said:

Gotta love the know-it-alls on the range. But nothing beats getting paired with a guy with a $2,500 bag who tops it 15 yards on the first tee 

 

Sorry I got to the course 2min before my tee time lol. 

[miamistomp]

Especially with  virus who wants a random clown touching their stuff !

[JimmyC59]

32 minutes ago, Cpr3584 said:

Gotta love the know-it-alls on the range. But nothing beats getting paired with a guy with a $2,500 bag who tops it 15 yards on the first tee 

Dressed like Ricky.

[wjdpar1]

You were 100% right.  In fact you probably let him off easy, but nobody wants to go to prison.

[cassel191919]

Not wrong in any way, I think only friends can touch my clubs without asking first.

[iNeedMoreGolf]

What you experienced was a grade A psychopath golfer who thinks he knows it all and can do anything lol my goodness pulling a club from your bag as a stranger is insane. After ranting about new clubs and wanting to hit yours i think he may have been trying to "accidentally" break or chip your new iron. You did the right thing. Only friends can take a look or pick a club out of a bag and still its proper to ask if you can hit them or not. Dont feel bad.

[MtlJeff]

1 hour ago, Cpr3584 said:

Gotta love the know-it-alls on the range. But nothing beats getting paired with a guy with a $2,500 bag who tops it 15 yards on the first tee 

 

Haha, most of the time yea.

 

On another note i did this in a tournament once and shot 74!

 

Though my bag at the time was maaaaaaybe 2500$ canadian

[Radeon962]

My brother-in-law have a rule with new clubs... you sky it you buy it.

 

He is the only other person that I let hit my drivers/woods.  I have let others hit my irons but never just a random stranger or ever had someone just digging through my bag.