Bad etiquette, who cares

[Largechris]

Just watching Big Break (VII?) from Trump National and this matchplay game is going on between ?Bri and ?Bridget. So Bridget politely asks Bri if she can pull the flag for her and Bri start harrumphing under her breath 'what am i her caddy... frigging ridiculous... gawd....' etc.

What is all that about? Is that normal behaviour now? I know tv programmes want players to play up a bit for interest but come on?

 

Is etiquette disappearing? Are we losing something special in the game?

[gjones77]

The game?

 

You must of been sleeping, this is completely gone from society as a whole...

[jaskanski]

Yes and no.

Although the golf world has never had so many players in so many different countries, the norm appears to be to try to emulate what everyone else is doing. Regardless up your upbringing or background, if you learn to play golf with people with no manners or even any vague sense of ettiqette, then that is how you will be.

Ettiquette isn't suddenly acquired the moment you step onto a golf course - it has to be learnt and instilled. So by the same token, it is entirely possible that the likes of Tiger Woods and his co-members on tour, learned how to behave appropriately by following the lead of the people they played golf with.

It's a sort of handed-down thing. Luckily for us, most of the pros we see on tour have impeccable manners and a great appreciation of ettiquette - again, one rubs off on another.

Those who do not possess the same sense of sportsmanship and ettiquette simply don't know any better - it's what they have been accustomed to.

The downside of this poor quality programming depicting questionable behaviour is the effect it may have on those who have yet to enjoy this beatiful game. People believe what they see is the norm - which in this case I hope isn't the norm.

Just my take on the subject.

[Tmiller72]

Most of those people on the Big Break act like they are "all that and a bag of chips", so I'm not suprised that she did that. Lots of attitude and not much game on most of the Big Breaks.

[MrJones]

The game?

 

You must of been sleeping, this is completely gone from society as a whole...

 

I agree totally. The fact that the young "lady" in this particular story took offense to being asked to do anything shows that society today is all about the individual. Manners are no longer taught anywhere. Instances of selfishness and going against the rules are applauded.

 

I've always though it was neat, how that when meeting someone from out of country, how open and trusting they were when meeting new people. I'm so used to the American way of all ways being on the defensive when meeting new people until we get to know them and recognize them as someone we trust.

[rms25thta]

For what it is worth......my 6 year old is showing an interest in the game and I take her to the driving range with me quite often. On weekdays, I will even take her with me to the course and she rides along in the cart. She likes to be my caddie, she holds my clubs, gets my divots, pulls and replaces the pin for our group, she is awesome. She knows more about golf etiquette than most players I see on the links these days. We go over them everytime we drive to the range or course. She knows where to stand, not to talk when somebody is hitting, how to repair a ball mark, always replace your divot if possible or use the sand mixture on the cart, rake the bunker when you are done, how to tend the flag, how to hold the flag when others are putting and the list goes on. To this day I have never had a person say she was in the way or a distraction while she was with me. On the contrary, they comment on how well she behaved she is and how well she knows how to act on a golf course. There are many players I see on my home course that could take an etiquette lesson from her.

[callawayfan]

Yes and no.

Although the golf world has never had so many players in so many different countries, the norm appears to be to try to emulate what everyone else is doing. Regardless up your upbringing or background, if you learn to play golf with people with no manners or even any vague sense of ettiqette, then that is how you will be.

Ettiquette isn't suddenly acquired the moment you step onto a golf course - it has to be learnt and instilled. So by the same token, it is entirely possible that the likes of Tiger Woods and his co-members on tour, learned how to behave appropriately by following the lead of the people they played golf with.

It's a sort of handed-down thing. Luckily for us, most of the pros we see on tour have impeccable manners and a great appreciation of ettiquette - again, one rubs off on another.

Those who do not possess the same sense of sportsmanship and ettiquette simply don't know any better - it's what they have been accustomed to.

The downside of this poor quality programming depicting questionable behaviour is the effect it may have on those who have yet to enjoy this beatiful game. People believe what they see is the norm - which in this case I hope isn't the norm.

Just my take on the subject.

 

couldn't agree more, well said :clapping:

[scotchblade]

You must of been sleeping, this is completely gone from society as a whole...

Sad, but true. I blame the computer age. It all started with pagers, beepers, voice mail, cell phones, blueberries, hand pilots, the internet. All this convenience has come with a price. Heck, you don't even see kids outside playing anymore. And they're fat too. I'm so glad I grew up in the 60s and spent most of my working life without having to worry about "staying connected" when I am enjoying a round of golf.

[gjones77]

You must of been sleeping, this is completely gone from society as a whole...

Sad, but true. I blame the computer age. It all started with pagers, beepers, voice mail, cell phones, blueberries, hand pilots, the internet. All this convenience has come with a price. Heck, you don't even see kids outside playing anymore. And they're fat too. I'm so glad I grew up in the 60s and spent most of my working life without having to worry about "staying connected" when I am enjoying a round of golf.

 

I think you're close on how we got here, but I feel the blame lies more with the moral relativety crowd.

 

We've created a society where manners and etiquette are no longer passed from parent to child as it once was, now we have people of the mind set that just because others think something is wrong doesn't mean it is, we've eliminated the basic standards of politeness and manners because many felt they were antiquated.

 

There is also the matter of the generation of kids that were taught that they could do anything, that there are no losers, and we took away the lessons in humility and striving to be better that losing taught.

 

I'm 31 (32 on the 14th) and even at my age I can see that many in the generation before mine dropped the ball, all can do is make sure my children, when I have some, are taught manners and ettiquette.

[Pinehurst1999]

Etiquette starts with every one of us. We can not tolerate poor etiquette from fellow players in our group, often it is becuase people newer to the game have not been taught proper etiquette.

[Largechris]

I've seen a few times here that people really appreciate how well behaved proper touring pros are, and generally I agree (though I'm sure we've all seen some boreish behaviour as well, particularly from some of the younger guys).

 

However, on the flagstick question, wouldn't it be a great inspiration to all kids if (enforced by the tour) the pros tended each other's flagsticks during tournaments? Ie caddies should be banned from doing this.

 

It wouldn't take much and what a brilliant example to all other sports. Imagine Tiger tending the US amateurs flag in the first round of the Masters?

[gjones77]

I've seen a few times here that people really appreciate how well behaved proper touring pros are, and generally I agree (though I'm sure we've all seen some boreish behaviour as well, particularly from some of the younger guys).

 

However, on the flagstick question, wouldn't it be a great inspiration to all kids if (enforced by the tour) the pros tended each other's flagsticks during tournaments? Ie caddies should be banned from doing this.

 

It wouldn't take much and what a brilliant example to all other sports. Imagine Tiger tending the US amateurs flag in the first round of the Masters?

 

At first glance, I thought this might be a bit much, but after thinking about it for a minute, I think it would actually be a great idea.

 

The idea of the #1 player in the world tending the flag for the US Am champion on TV would be a pretty impressive message, it shows the general respect for your competitor and for the game.

[profsmitty]

I've seen a few times here that people really appreciate how well behaved proper touring pros are, and generally I agree (though I'm sure we've all seen some boreish behaviour as well, particularly from some of the younger guys).

 

However, on the flagstick question, wouldn't it be a great inspiration to all kids if (enforced by the tour) the pros tended each other's flagsticks during tournaments? Ie caddies should be banned from doing this.

 

It wouldn't take much and what a brilliant example to all other sports. Imagine Tiger tending the US amateurs flag in the first round of the Masters?

 

At first glance, I thought this might be a bit much, but after thinking about it for a minute, I think it would actually be a great idea.

 

The idea of the #1 player in the world tending the flag for the US Am champion on TV would be a pretty impressive message, it shows the general respect for your competitor and for the game.

What a fabulous idea! I don't think there is anything that would emphasize the spirit of the game any better.

 

I am also wondering, are good manners and good play related? I, for one, think it is too much of a coincidence that the best players are some of the most courteous to their fellow players. Maybe one of the first things a youngster should be taught, if they really want to improve their game, are the common courtesies. Just a thought.

[kingfoppa]

I'd also like to see them carry each other's bags and fix each other's ball marks. It's not a good idea; that's what caddies are for. The caddie and the golfer are a team...period.

[larrybud]

It wouldn't take much and what a brilliant example to all other sports. Imagine Tiger tending the US amateurs flag in the first round of the Masters?

 

Oh God, then we'll have 7 hour rounds. At least the other players are lining up their putts while the guy is putting.

[roll - gybe]

I doubt etiquette has decreased. If anything, it is probably better today than it used to be due to readily available information on TV and on the internet.

 

I think there have always be ignoramuses and there have always been jerks.