Wenglish
Medal Winner
I wont go to a locker room just to change my shoes unless there is a rule at the club. I dont clean my shoes in the carpark in the same way I dont clean my shoes in the locker room.
Changing Shoes in the Car park
- Thread starter Fish
- Start date
Foxholer
Blackballed
No big deal for me.
No prob if anyone did it.
I don't generally, but have on occasions
No prob if anyone did it.
I don't generally, but have on occasions
Slime
Tour Winner
I generally change in the car park & use the spikes bar after my round before changing again in the car park.
I also sometimes change at home & drive to the course in my golf shoes ....................... INCOMING!
Slime.
I also sometimes change at home & drive to the course in my golf shoes ....................... INCOMING!
Slime.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
Rules permitting, I always change shoes in the car park. I also almost always go in the bar afterwards.
I know it's not what the OP was asking, but I don't understand the animosity towards so-called 'car park' golfers.
The club is providing a service, the golfer is the customer. Once his subs are paid up the only onus on the golfer is to follow the club's rules. They shouldn't have to 'support' the club as if it were a charity.
I know it's not what the OP was asking, but I don't understand the animosity towards so-called 'car park' golfers.
The club is providing a service, the golfer is the customer. Once his subs are paid up the only onus on the golfer is to follow the club's rules. They shouldn't have to 'support' the club as if it were a charity.
Your quote "Car park golfers, certainly at private clubs, really do wind me up so yes I do write as I feel" and in reading that blog its fair to say you dislike them in both your categories, IMO.
Another poll is set up now regarding spending at the club but you clearly have an issue with changing in the car park both in your blog and in your Twitter quote.
Wayman
Tour Winner
Always change shoes in car park if I've went straight from work I sometimes change out of my work short and t shirt and put my golf clothing on in the car park as well
BrizoH71
Tour Rookie
This is me, aside from the drive home bit... once I'm done playing, I always pop into the clubhouse for a drink at least.
World of difference between "dislike" which would suggest a particular hatred and winding me up which they do. Semantics aside though it isn't the changing the shoes per se that is the REAL issue. It has a lot to do with them never using the clubhouse at all and therefore never contributing towards a club they already pay a huge fee to join. Surely it is simple economics that the more people using the 19th the more cash a club has and the less the fees need to go up year on year.
Junior
Tour Winner
I always change my shoes in the carpark, and change them back once ive finished. Doesn't tstop me going for a beer in the clubhouse.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
...and you don't go into the clubhouse after your round?
...and you are fortunate that your controls are such that you don't have non-members parking up, changing into shoes and heading off out. Make folk change shoes in changing room is one of easiest ways to minimise risk of that sort of thing.
sydney greenstreet
Journeyman Pro
I see you commented on three of the tee car park golfers, unless there is another fish ?
DCB
Well-known member
Firstly, I do change my shoes at the car in the carpark. Not a major problem, the problems occur when people clean their shoes at their car and leave all the clogged up debris lying in the carpark rather than use the air hoses provided as they come off the 18th. That creates an unsightly mess especially in the seasons we are about to head into.
However, IMO the term 'carpark golfer' is used to describe the golfer who pitches up, plays and then heads off home again without spending time or money in the clubhouse and bar. I realise that time is precious and that a game of golf can take a fair chunk out of our weekend or whatever, especially if we have family commitments. Having played your round, is it not just good manners to go in for a drink with those you have played with, even just a quick one and then head off home ? At a time when membership is dwindling, bar income becomes even more important in keeping a club afloat. If the bar income drops....... vicious circle really.
I know who the car park golfers are at my club, I tend not to put my name up alongside in comps as I know they'll be off like a hare out the trap as soon as the cards are signed.
However, IMO the term 'carpark golfer' is used to describe the golfer who pitches up, plays and then heads off home again without spending time or money in the clubhouse and bar. I realise that time is precious and that a game of golf can take a fair chunk out of our weekend or whatever, especially if we have family commitments. Having played your round, is it not just good manners to go in for a drink with those you have played with, even just a quick one and then head off home ? At a time when membership is dwindling, bar income becomes even more important in keeping a club afloat. If the bar income drops....... vicious circle really.
I know who the car park golfers are at my club, I tend not to put my name up alongside in comps as I know they'll be off like a hare out the trap as soon as the cards are signed.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Im a car park golfer and proud of it. If it was mandatory to spend time in the clubhouse etc, then I probably wouldn't have time to play. I pay my subs, I'll use the club in whatever way I choose. If someone doesn't like that then that's tough.
nice sociable in-it-for-myself member...every club should have one...
golfdub
Tour Rookie
its the most stupidest rule ever and how anyone can justify it is beyond me.
StrangelyBrown
Tour Winner
What if you don't have a locker? Why would you take your stuff into the changing room if you have to take it back out to the car?
Gazboy
Assistant Pro
If all these car park golfers read your blog and decided to leave for friendlier pastures perhaps you may see how much they have been contributing via their subs, I've closed the blog but didn't you say there would be a dozen cars in the car park and an empty club house? That says the club couldn't survive without them at current rates. If Ascot upped the 7 day rate by £500, but that rate included a breakfast bap & coffee on arrival, competition fees and a hot lunch & a pint of lager after submitting your card, would you expect the the membership to stay the same or would you expect an exodus? I'm already being emailed various offers and deals for membership for a few clubs local to me, so it doesn't sound like clubs can be too choosey about members not visiting the club house.
I do change my shoes in the car park because it is more convenient but I do spend money on a bacon role and coffee (£3) before every round and if I have time I'll have lunch & a coke (£7) which more often than not I do, plus a bottle of drink & a chocolate bar for my round (£2) and I'm paying more in food & drink than I am in subs, but crucially that extra £12 per round is entirely optional & I fully understand if someone chooses to be a car park golfer and just pay their subs.
Actually I had never worked that all out before, that's £72 a month! Car park golf here we come!
golfdub
Tour Rookie
people like myself who have a young family and are really stretched with money and who can only play once a week shouldnt feel like they have to go to the 19th my wife and kids have already waited 5 hours for me to play golf and now i should spend time in the bar, nope i don't think so. If i did that then i would consider myself very selfish.
iv gone off track...sorry
D
Deleted member 18121
Guest
To be fair bluewolf describes me to a tee. I pay my subs, and turn up weekly to play a round with my friends. I generally don't stop for a drink afterwards or breakfast/drink before hand.
Each to their own, we're not all social animals - I for one am not a massive fan of meeting new people and getting to know them, that's just a personality trait that I have.
D
Deleted member 18121
Guest
people like myself who have a young family and are really stretched with money and who can only play once a week shouldnt feel like they have to go to the 19th my wife and kids have already waited 5 hours for me to play golf and now i should spend time in the bar, nope i don't think so. If i did that then i would consider myself very selfish.
iv gone off track...sorry
+1 here, as if I'd written that myself.
I get up at 5:30am every day and come to work. I get home between 6:30 and 7pm and spend a few moments with my 8 month old baby boy and my wife before he goes to bed. I get 4-5 hours to myself once a week where I like to play golf with my friends and then I get back to do food shopping/DIY/cleaning and spend some more time with my son.
That to me is more important than going to the bar for drinks.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Sounds like two separate issues. I always change my shoes in the car park, that's just more convenient, but almost always go into the clubhouse as well.
I don't have any issue with anyone who chooses to shoot off without having a drink. It can be hard enough to fit a round of golf into people's busy lives without adding another hour or two on for socialising afterwards.
I imagine everyone uses the bar sometimes and everyone heads straight off sometimes - different people will balance it differently according to their own situation. I'm a member of a golf club first and foremost to play golf.
I don't have any issue with anyone who chooses to shoot off without having a drink. It can be hard enough to fit a round of golf into people's busy lives without adding another hour or two on for socialising afterwards.
I imagine everyone uses the bar sometimes and everyone heads straight off sometimes - different people will balance it differently according to their own situation. I'm a member of a golf club first and foremost to play golf.
