Almost made some enemies at my new club today...

[Jimbooo]

I went out for a quick 9 at lunch. Started great - par, par, par. Got to the 4th and caught up to the 4-ball in front of me. They'd just finished teeing off as I walked up and one of them said to me "Look for another hole mate if I were you, you might be waiting a while.". Now there was nobody in front of them, and to be honest I didn't know if he was joking or not - he didn't seem to be as he turned around and carried on walking up the fairway.

I'm not a slow player by any means - I was easily much faster than these guys, and being on my own I said to the other 3 just leaving the teebox "Do you mind if I play through?". One of the guys said "I don't mind, but I dunno if they will" (pointing to his mates a little further ahead).

So.. they agreed to let me play through. I hit my drive and we all walked up the fairway together. I got to my ball and the guy who said he didn't mind if I play through said to me "You want to take a gimme mate and play the next hole? You'll hold us up otherwise.".

I was a bit shocked, and being a new member (2 weeks) I didn't really want to make any enemies, so I just said "sure", picked up my ball and trundled off to the 5th.

I really wish I'd have said "No I think I'll play the hole out, I won't be long." but there you go.

Does this happen often at clubs (first time I've been a member of one). Is this to be expected?

OK, rant over!

 

[moogie]

Every club, unfortunately, has its group of KNOBS.....fact

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Sound like knobs to me. If they are going to let you through whether reluctantly or not they should have the decency to let you play out. I'd have mentioned it to the steward, pro and anyone else I could find. Wouldn't be too fussed if I did upset them.

 

[One Planer]

What you should have said was:

"When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you"

:thup:

 

[connor]

Personally would of carried on playing purely to prove a point. And said a gimme shouldn't be taken from this far

 

[Brookesy]

Agree with above and just said ill play the hole out but ill try to be quick, not being funny they wouldnt have had to wait very long at all.

 

[bluetoon]

Plonkers like that make my blood boil, unfortunately some courses have rules that singles have no standing. Yet we all pay the same green fee?

 

[robbest3offthetee]

Jimbooo, You should have said " No its ok it wont take me long to play the hole" then carried on, you would have been out of sight of them then by the next few holes,you probably felt a bit intimidated by them, next time you will know better, you have as much right on the course as anyone, good luck..

 

[Mungoscorner]

I'd have carried on playing and finished the hole,as i left the green i would have given them the universal hand gesture of thanks........My Middle Finger !!!!!!
Can't believe you kept your cool,there behaviour smacks of bad manners and selfishness.A real shame that clubs have to suffer people like this.

 

[moogie]

Plonkers like that make my blood boil, unfortunately some courses have rules that singles have no standing. Yet we all pay the same green fee?

Im almost certain that rule has been abolished in the Rules of Golf, but could be mistaken
Ridiculous rule, either way
Common sense should prevail, 4 old guys out for a stroll, no problem, 1 ball or a pair behind, stand aside, be thru and away before you know it

 

[DCB]

Im almost certain that rule has been abolished in the Rules of Golf, but could be mistaken
Ridiculous rule, either way
Common sense should prevail, 4 old guys out for a stroll, no problem, 1 ball or a pair behind, stand aside, be thru and away before you know it

It never was a Rule in the first place

 

[rosecott]

unfortunately some courses have rules that singles have no standing

If they do, they are in conflict with the R&A on this.

 

[GB72]

If they do, they are in conflict with the R&A on this.

They may be in conflict with the R&A but they exist. It is written clear as day in the local rules at my club. Luckily most of the membership just ignore it.

Love to think that in the situation described I would have said something but I probably would not have. I am not the greatest one for confrontation at the best of times but a year is a long time to be a member of a club if you get a reputation of being a troublemaker (even though it is totally unjustified)

 

[DCB]

Why would clubs be in conflict with the R&A over this ?

 

[moogie]

It never was a Rule in the first place

I believe it WAS a Rule
Check the next post as back up

 

[rosecott]

Why would clubs be in conflict with the R&A over this ?

[h=2]Priority on the Course[/h]Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term “group” includes a single player.

Reading between the lines, I would suggest that R&A/USGA would rather that the committee would not determine otherwise - common sense should prevail.

 

[DCB]

But, given that this is detailed within Section 1, it is only a 'guideline' it's not actually a Rule, therefore clubs can make their own local rule without being in conflict with one of the Rules of Golf. If this was somehow worked into the Rules of Golf, then it would be clearcut and simple.

 

[DavidO]

You would like to think that common decency would dictate that if a 2,3 or 4 ball were not being held up by a group ahead, they would let a single player play through!!

 

[rosecott]

But, given that this is detailed within Section 1, it is only a 'guideline' it's not actually a Rule, therefore clubs can make their own local rule without being in conflict with one of the Rules of Golf. If this was somehow worked into the Rules of Golf, then it would be clearcut and simple.

Unlikely - you can't enforce etiquette.

It would be interesting if the OP could check on the local rules at his new club.

 

[HotDogAssassin]

Was one of the group the Club Captain by any chance?