International golf

[bobfoster]

This is for people here that get around. Like the Beach Boys "round round get around I get around" I've played golf on six of the seven continents (there isn't an actual golf course in Antarctica, so that's a problem). 

 

I play a lot of golf for business. All over the world, and have had to adjust to different customs. For instance, in the US, I hit a hole in one and my foresome buys me a lot of drinks. Hole in one in Japan? You are obligated to buy expensive gifts for everyone you played with. In the US, marshals are (at best) old, friendly guys that (sadly) do nothing about pace of play. In Scotland? The are fiercesome scary. They don't have to say anything - you pick up your PoP if you even see them looking at you. When I played in Mexico, the 9th hole was always a half hour or hour of a breakfast with eggs and rice and beans (and you had caddies, not carts). 

 

So I'm wondering, for the men and women here that have adjusted their games (and even personalities heehee) to play the same game in different countries, what was your weirdest cross-country experience?

[ChipNRun]

Circa 2000, I was on a college teaching trip to Sicily. As the schedule shook out, I had a chance to play Il Picchiolo Golf Club at the base of Mount Etna (a volcano). The course hosts major European tournaments.

 

I was playing with borrowed clubs along with another non-local in the pre-rangefinder era.

 

One of the par 5 holes had a rollercoaster fairway with maybe four rise-and-fall slopes in the fairway. My tee shot trickled into the rough, and I hit a flyer with a 5i that landed on top of a hill and rolled forward toward the green. I was mid-fairway, and looked up toward the green. I guessed 7i, choosing one club less due the possibly thinner air at 2,100 foot elevation.

 

I stroke the ball and hit it dead solid perfect! The ball is painting the flagstick, but, ends up 5 yards short of a rather big green! I walk to the top of the hill and see my problem: The cup held an alpine flagstick, one that's 12 feet long so people can see the target from below the green. I needed more club.

 

I kept the 7i, chipped on fairly close to the pin, and lipped out the putt. Bogie for my efforts.

 

Overall, it was a great experience. It I was there again, I would go in the day before and stay in the lodge.

 

Note to anyone playing the course: See if you can get a local driver to take you there. I missed a turn on a narrow mountain road, drove a couple of kilometers too far, and was late for my tee time. But, it was a Tuesday so the course was fairly open.

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Not sure this is actual hole (left), but you get the idea of the terrain.

 

Edited December 12, 2021 by ChipNRun

[naval2006]

One of the most unusual things I saw in amateur sport is the combination of golf and beer throughout the round you see in the US.  Never seen it somewhere else.  You drink your cold refreshing beer after a match at golf, football, tennis, rugby or almost any amateur game.  But during the match, it IS weird.   

[Loki]

In the United States, you got a HIO and YOU got free drinks? Never heard of that. The person that got the HIO buys drinks for people. At country clubs they have insurance accounts that you pay into for this express purpose.

[pseudoswede]

In Sweden, you carry around a small flask of whiskey in your golf bag. If you make a birdie, everyone in your group takes a swig on the next tee box.

[TerpFangolfer]

I've played golf in more countries than I have US states...as strange as that sounds. Only played in 12 different US states - but played in ~20 diff countries (well territories? - for example, that is counting England, Scotland, N Ire as separate, as well as China & HK). A lot having to do with a job that involves Int'l travel. I love to play - the big hole in my resume is none on continental Europe - definitely want to play some EUR courses in the future.

 

Definitely experienced some different rituals playing Intl golf - best example Korea - golf is an all-day affair there. No sneaking out for 18 at 3 pm. They stop for sit-down snack breaks every 4-5 holes, then afterwards is a spa, then lunch, etc etc. Played some interesting tracks there - including one where your clubs "ride" on a monorail system throughout the round - and the caddies run back & forth over to the bags...can't find a pic, but that was unique!

 

Edited December 17, 2021 by TerpFangolfer