Are you a golfing snob ?

[Bunker]

So your in work, the mini heatwave is at its peak and all you can think about is at leaving at 5pm on the nose to head straight for the club for the evening roll p.......the joys of Summer !!! The following day your still on a high in work, exchanging stories enthusiastically with your golfing colleagues about how you 3 stabbed to lose the money on the last and are desperatly trying to convince them (and yourself) that your playing partners really should have conceded that snaking 2 footer . . . . .

Then, another colleague joins the conversation, a nice enough guy who's a once a year golfer with a set of Donnay's older that your dear old dad. He's keen for a game and knowing the muni's are 8 groups deep on the 1st every night this week he say's how he'd love to play at your course and that you should definately get a round in one evening this week or next. You know the type of golfer, the guy who at work society days holes out for a 12 for 0 points, the guy who will take divots the length of a size 16 shoe out of your course and in the back of you rmind your thinking that if you do say yes, will he wear the same 10 gallon straw hat he wore at the works society day last year ????

So what do you say ?? Are you keen to spread the love of our beautiful game and immidiately get him down at your course the following evening, or, do you make your excuses and say that you have been playing far too much during the week and, if you play any more your wife will shove your 3 iron where the Summer sun really doesn't shine . . .

 

[freddielong]

Do we know if he's gonna wear shorts ?

 

[Twire]

Do we know if he's gonna wear shorts ?

Make sure he's not got those horible hybrids either.

 

[Smiffy]

Have you been turned down for a game then?

 

[minty18]

invite him along but make sure he is aware that you play skins then take his money.

 

[Twire]

If he was clued up on golfing etiquette, and kept up with the pace of play, I don't think I'd have a problem with how many shots he took within reason.

So yes, I would invite him to my club.

 

[Bunker]

Nice one Smiffy, no , not been turned down, but, i am playing tomorrow with such a chap !

 

[Adrena1in]

My club's not that up itself. I've even been known to wear shorts there myself! And have my phone on!

 

[CVG]

I suppose we would like to feel that we would invite him for a game. Honestly most of us would I think, but I take your theme that there are a lot of golfers who may well shy away from getting involved.
I was very lucky to meet some very friendly and patient golfers when I first started playing, they helped me improve by offering advice in such a way that wasn't condensending and so I'd like to think I would do the same to the person in question.
You never know this guy may be great to play with and ready to learn.
Give him a chance.

 

[USER1999]

I must be because the answer is no. My track is a beast at the moment, very tight, with monster rough, some at shoulder height. Any non handicapped golfer is not going to enjoy it, and I am not going to enjoy looking for their balls, and that would be every other shot.

I am going to play with two such guys later this month, but on a neutral venue.

 

[haplesshacker]

I am going to play with two such guys later this month, but on a neutral venue.

I wasn't aware we had a date Murph!

Part of me says, be a snob in this context. However, bearing in mind the track I play at, the general pace of play (slow), then I really don't see a real problem. I'd obviously want to 'brief' him beforehand on some dress code and etiquette. But other than that. No problem. But not when I'm in a comp though.

I was treated appaulingly 15 years ago by some colleagues, who would of had the same 'issue' with me. No briefing, no guidelines, no help. They even had the ordasity to tell me to turn up at a golf club for 'x' time. What they didn't tell me was that was the tee time. I ran down the first fairway to catch them on the 2nd tee. I was told that it wasn't the done thing to do, and they then tee'd off, leaving me to trudge back to the car-park. Needless to say I was hacked off. I didn't try golf again for 10 years.

Hey, if the course is to difficult or to high brow, why not suggest a little par 3 somewhere, or the range. You can always put a positive spin on it then.

Remember. We were all starting out at some point, and probably had a starter set that we may find a little embarassing now. But we enjoy this game now. Don't we?

 

[USER1999]

It isn't the starter set that bothers me, but one of the guys doesn't believe in dress codes, so that isn't going to work at my gaff. Both of them are a bit wild. One lost 14 balls last time out at what I would consider a very friendly track. I can't see any of us enjoying my place. I will make a judgement when I have seen them play at a neutral venue.

Bear in mind that once you sign someone in to your course you are responsible for all their actions. I like to play with someone first to see if they are responsible, follow the etiquet, aren't too loud, and generally know how to behave. Their golf is a minor issue really, but they need to be able to enjoy it, and not lose too many balls.

On a similar note, I go to Coed y brenin mountain biking for 2 weekends a year. Various guys have wanted to come, but I would not consider taking anyone until I had seen them ride, and seen the quality of their kit. Coed is very dangerous for novice riders, doubly more so on a £79 bike from Halfords. Especially if the rider is an idiot, with no idea of their own limitations.

 

[haplesshacker]

On a similar note, I go to Coed y brenin mountain biking for 2 weekends a year. Various guys have wanted to come, but I would not consider taking anyone until I had seen them ride, and seen the quality of their kit. Coed is very dangerous for novice riders, doubly more so on a £79 bike from Halfords. Especially if the rider is an idiot, with no idea of their own limitations.

I'd agree with you there Murph. No different in sailing. Whether racing or cruising. Golf though is a little less risky or dangerous. To a point!

 

[mono217]

Id invite him to play anyday.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have to be honest and say having read the full explanation I'd probably try him away from my own course first and then probably reluctantly. I know we all had to start somewhere but to be honest these summer days and evenings are there to be enjoyed, not a route march zig-zagging every fairway and not being able to focus on your own game.

I'd be far more inclined to invite him out in the winter when the rough is shorter and the ball isn't so fiery.

 

[painterboy]

Yes invite him, but make sure he's not in your Fourball.

 

[Molly]

Do we know if he's gonna wear shorts ?

Make sure he's not got those horible hybrids either.

he's probably got a bl00dy chipper as well!

 

[big_mean_bunny]

despite being someone who sees no problem with wearing shorts and is put of by snobby clubs and the dinosaur image of golf that some people seem desperate to cling to I don't like looking shabby regardless of where I play and also don't like cheap brands.

I don't think anyone that over uses exclamation marks and question marks has the right to moan about anyone though, but thats just my personal pet hate

 

[Leftie]

Of course I'd invite him - but only if he had been C/fitted .

Seriously though, I've got a similar situation coming up soon.

A friend of mine has been trying to get into the game over the last year or so. Once or twice a week down the range, occasional games with mates of a similar standard, now wanting to play with "better" golfers who may be able to help him with his game, etiquette, course management, etc.

I'd love to take him round my course, but for at least the first couple of games would rather pay a green fee to play elsewhere. Mainly because I find the course difficult enough and he would probably struggle and not enjoy it, but partly because I am responsible for my guests on the course and would want to avoid any possible embarrassment.

From that point of view, perhaps I am a golfing snob

 

[haplesshacker]

despite being someone who sees no problem with wearing shorts and is put of by snobby clubs and the dinosaur image of golf that some people seem desperate to cling to I don't like looking shabby regardless of where I play and also don't like cheap brands.

I don't think anyone that over uses exclamation marks and question marks has the right to moan about anyone though, but thats just my personal pet hate

What about folks that don't use capitals, punctuation or does not understand sentence construction?