Am I becoming a grumpy golfer?

[TheCaddie]

Played on Saturday at 1pm at Richmond Park. When the sun is out, both courses are ridiculously busy... until about 3/4pm

Anyways, turned up ready to tee off and this guy come over to me before I took my shot and told me that he was meant to be tee'ing off before me. He had his wife and toddler in a buggy, and only one set of clubs, so I presumed they were going to drive and he was going to go round playing himself.

Oh, but no, his wife decided to also play sharing clubs, and whenever the toddler had a hissy fit they let him take a few shots too. They took so much time that there was a huge backlog of people behind them, and us. I played OK by my standards, but really struggled to get into any rhythm.

Luckily they left at the 12th, after 3.5hrs of play.... but still. I can appreciate it if they went out as a family for a twilight round when the course is dead, but at Richmond 1pm is still very much peak time and it was absolutely packed!!!

Am I now just becoming a grumpy golfer or do I have right to be peeved?!

 

[tugglesf239]

It would pee me off also.

So no.

Not grumpy.

 

[shortstuff]

Fair complaint. I would have pointed out that if they can't keep up with the group in front then they should let me play through. If they disagreed I would have told them to read up on golf etiquette and go back to the driving range and practise until they could play at the correct pace. So that makes me even grumpier :angry: but really slow play kills me.

 

[Paul77]

No really acceptable to be honest. Shouldn't have happened on such a busy time.

On Friday I had a two ball in front of me then a 4 ball in from of them and an older guy playing behind me. I saw the two ball play through the 4 and I just adjusted the timing of my shots so that I was never reaching the 4 ball or holding up the guy behind. Ended up a good round. Same that when you head out to have "that round" it doesn't go to plan.

 

[bobmac]

Many courses have a local rule that means you are not allowed to share clubs.
I'd check to see if yours is the same

 

[Alex1975]

Ye that's not cricket...

 

[North Mimms]

This is why I carry a phone with me, in case one day I want to ring proshop and get them to sort it out

 

[guest100718]

were there clear holes ahead of them? If so they should have called you through or if they didn't then just tell them you are playing through.

 

[garyinderry]

Ignorance truly is bliss it seems. gobsmacked.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Any club I have been a member of has the rule stating that each golfer must have their own clubs, ie they can not share 1 bag. They may only have 3 clubs in their bag but they must have that. I have been out on occasions when a parent has a young child with them and they share clubs. I am okay with that, you want to encourage kids, but that has only been when the course is empty. If there are other golfers on the course you have to be considerate.

 

[garyinderry]

In all seriousness you probably should have had a few words with him about his pace of play. he was in essence a one ball, so should not be holding anyone up. The rest of the field would thank you.


If he got arsey, you could point out that he was late for his tee time, not keeping up with the game in front and also I assume only paid one green fee.

Failing that you could tell him to get a grip of himself and use some common sense. (only apply this if you are big and hard or he isn't)

 

[hines57]

Not at all. Bad form from those in front!

 

[Heavy-grebo]

Your a patient man I'm not sure many people would have suffered that, or you could have teamed up with them in a betterball pairs game, you and the toddler, against the parents. Then as you were all walking the fairways you could have educated them on course etiquette, not holding other golfers up, being on time for your tee slot, and some of the other finer points of the game...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Familiar story at Richmond Park and you often get a dad go out with a bag with their son in tow and out of site of the clubhouse they'll let the kid start playing and very soon the course behind grinds to a halt and not a chance of getting let through. It usually takes firm and anglo saxon language at times to explain what is happening

 

[Tongo]

That would have irritated me as well. Just a lack of common sense and courtesy.