Clubs still in the Dark Ages

[LCVreg]

As a society organiser of over 20 years, and with over 300 hundred courses under my belt, I am still amazed at the number of clubs who still seem to be in the era of Dickens and still expect us who dare to visit their establishments to doff their hats and lick shoes etc.......thankfully fewer and fewer, and many who just a few years ago were very much like this have dramatically turned themselves around with new managers and modern committees, one such in my neck of the woods that is now very welcoming and forthcoming being the excellent Stoneham GC in Southampton. However, thare are others that are still basically a bastion of all that is bad with a members club - I have a few names, but let us hear others that are still in the 19th C from up and down the country!!

 

[dufferman]

A club local to my house, Hillingdon Golf club (only a 9 hole course) has a nice little bar / clubhouse, where we held a funeral for my nan.

Pro is 19th Century thinking: They raised the flag outside the clubhouse to half mast which was a nice touch.

Con of 19th Century thining: We were all asked not to use our mobile phones inside the clubhouse. No reason given. We went back once or twice over Christmas, and the club captain would come round to people and ask them no to use their mobile phone.

I'm 25 - maybe I'm from a different generation and all that, but isn't a mobile phone ban a bit too much...?

 

[Liverbirdie]

Any club that still insist on white socks to the knee, if wearing shorts.

 

[USER1999]

A club local to my house, Hillingdon Golf club (only a 9 hole course) has a nice little bar / clubhouse, where we held a funeral for my nan.

Pro is 19th Century thinking: They raised the flag outside the clubhouse to half mast which was a nice touch.

Con of 19th Century thining: We were all asked not to use our mobile phones inside the clubhouse. No reason given. We went back once or twice over Christmas, and the club captain would come round to people and ask them no to use their mobile phone.

I'm 25 - maybe I'm from a different generation and all that, but isn't a mobile phone ban a bit too much...?

No. Mobiles should not be used in any club house.

I come to the golf club to get away from phones, work, etc.

How about talking to the guys you played with, and put the phone away?

 

[GreiginFife]

Con of 19th Century thining: We were all asked not to use our mobile phones inside the clubhouse. No reason given. We went back once or twice over Christmas, and the club captain would come round to people and ask them no to use their mobile phone.

I'm 25 - maybe I'm from a different generation and all that, but isn't a mobile phone ban a bit too much...?

Not for me it's not. The clubhouse is supposed to be a relaxing atmosphere after your round or somewhere to go for a bit of P&Q. Someone talking loudly in to their mobile is, at best, antisocial and at worst, rude.
Call me outdated all you like but there are certain places that mobiles just don't fit, if you need to make a call that urgently, go outside.

 

[dufferman]

But surely, in the 21st Century, sending a text to the missus to let her know you're getting another round in before heading home isn't anti-social?

Why are golf clubs exempt from modernisation?

 

[GreiginFife]

But surely, in the 21st Century, sending a text to the missus to let her know you're getting another round in before heading home isn't anti-social?

Why are golf clubs exempt from modernisation?

It's not about modernisation, it's about courtesy to other people. Golf is, after all, supposed to be a social game.
Clubs have, in my opinion, modernised where it is essential but why would I want my clubhouse to feel like the local boozer?
Again, if that text or call is just quick, what's wrong with getting off your arse and going outside to send/make that call/text?

 

[dufferman]

Just seems a bit strange to make a point of stopping something that, let's be honest, is neither here nor there! Do you stop people in the street and ask them not to make calls when sitting at bus stops? Or walking through parks?

It feels like snobbery, no wonder people don't want to take up the sport!

 

[GreiginFife]

Just seems a bit strange to make a point of stopping something that, let's be honest, is neither here nor there! Do you stop people in the street and ask them not to make calls when sitting at bus stops? Or walking through parks?

It feels like snobbery, no wonder people don't want to take up the sport!

What? You are comparing the enclosed atmosphere of a golf club to a bus stop or a park? Don't be ridiculous man. Out in public, fill your boots. But in a clubhouse that many use for peace and quiet in an environment that can be controlled (unlike the park which is a fully open and PUBLIC place). I don't personally know many people that frequent bus stops for a social quiet evening.

Snobbery? Because they wouldn't let you use your phone? Again, ridiculous. Snobbery is not even allowing you in the door because you don't fit the entry criteria, or you don't earn enough, or you don't drive a certain marque of car... Not disallowing the use of mobile phones to give their members some peace and quiet.

 

[Fish]

But surely, in the 21st Century, sending a text to the missus to let her know you're getting another round in before heading home isn't anti-social?

Why are golf clubs exempt from modernisation?

If your on such a short lead then text her as you leave to say your on your way home.

Its got nothing to do with modernisation, its a social game and a private members club is a place of historic standings where respect to fellow members and visiting players in a more peaceful environment comes before the needs of individuals so either accept it or join the local pub darts team where you can listen to all the mad ring tones loudly going off every second.

We place our mobiles on the table but there on vibrate only and if they go off and we need to answer them we go onto the balcony, toilets or changing room, is that such a hardship?

 

[dufferman]

If a course is open to the public, then why is it that much different to another public place? Clubhouses I've been in have Sky Sports going in the background, have larger groups of men laughing and joking, so how can the odd mobile phone call ruin that? Bans on mobile phones make it feel less like a place where you can enjoy the sport you love to play, and more like a place where they won't let you in the door because you don't fit the criteria.

All I know is, since I took up the sport in my adult life (I played when I was a kid at 12 / 13 before everyone had a smartphone), mobile phones, Golf GPS tools, electric trolleys that are controlled by an app on your iPhone, and all that jazz has openly been available. Even pro shops now encourage you to go online and book your tee time. It seems very strange, and dated, to then walk into a clubhouse where a simple mobile phone cannot be used.

I'm yet to see the day where someone talking on a mobile phone, honestly, stops people from enjoying a drink in the clubhouse!

 

[Deleted member 1418]

My place has a pretty relaxed attitude to phones in the clubhouse, i.e. on silent or vibrate, but if you actually want to speak to someone then it must be done outside out of respect to others using the clubhouse. I think that this works well and is a sensible attitude to modern communications.

In terms of clubhouse / course rules, then I am very much of the opinion that any visitor must respect the rules / codes of conduct set by the club. If anyone disagrees with a clubs policies then there is a very simple answer - don't play there!

 

[Fish]

Just seems a bit strange to make a point of stopping something that, let's be honest, is neither here nor there! Do you stop people in the street and ask them not to make calls when sitting at bus stops? Or walking through parks?

It feels like snobbery, no wonder people don't want to take up the sport!

I suppose you should be able to wear your jeans also as they cost more than a pair of normal trousers from mark's? or how about expensive trainers rather than a pair of Clarke's shoe's?

Yes there are standards that's why there called private members clubs.

Snobbery, don't make me laugh, its called respect and not having a selfish attitude.

 

[dufferman]

Its got nothing to do with modernisation, its a social game and a private members club is a place of historic standings

The clubs I play at invite non members to play. If they don't want 'commoners' like myself with our ghastly mobile phones, maybe they shouldn't invite 'just anyone' to play at the course?

 

[Fish]

Bans on mobile phones make it feel less like a place where you can enjoy the sport you love to play, and more like a place where they won't let you in the door because you don't fit the criteria.

Where is the correlation in that statement?

Are you saying that after you have played a round of golf you can't enjoy yourself without the need to have your mobile phone in your hand. I think you need some better playing partners that will talk to you then, or is that why they don't because your talking cr@p all the time.

There are rules and some of them won't change and for me who owns my own business and has the golf club as an escape from phones, messages & emails will always support.

 

[Snelly]

The clubs I play at invite non members to play. If they don't want 'commoners' like myself with our ghastly mobile phones, maybe they shouldn't invite 'just anyone' to play at the course?

I think you have hit the nail on the head there. You are a bit common and find it hard to fit into an environment where there are rules governing courtesy to others.

Perhaps best to just go with the flow and do as you are told?

 

[GreiginFife]

My club has a relaxed atmosphere, a good visitor rate and welcome anyone. However, the ban on using mobiles is in place as stated several times, not out of snobbery or some backwards thinking that you seem to be drivveling about but out of respect to those who want peace and quiet.
If the club you frequent or have visited has a pub like atmosphere then great for you, you have found your mecca. Personally (and many join Muckhart for the same reason), if I want a night in a noisy pub style atmosphere, well blow me down, I'll go to the pub.
I actually enjoy a quiet sit down and a coffee after my round with my playing group or the guys and girls I know at the club, having a chat and not getting interrupted by someone's need to be in constant communication with all and sundry.
I don't even take my mobile in with me, the wife knows where I am and can call the club office if anything drastic happens.

 

[Fish]

The clubs I play at invite non members to play. If they don't want 'commoners' like myself with our ghastly mobile phones, maybe they shouldn't invite 'just anyone' to play at the course?

Non-members are fine at most clubs, you just have to respect their rules if you want to enjoy their course and facilities.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I like to think I have a pretty simplistic view to mobiles on the course/in the clubhouse.

If you are so busy/important that you can't afford to be without your phone, what are you doing at the golf club anyway??

 

[6inchcup]

i recently left a more modern club that had at sometimes an anything goes sort of feel,phones in the lounge,golf attire in the lounge after 8,loud and sometimes intoxicated society players in the snooker room etc etc,to a more traditional and in my own opinion a better club and am enjoying the atmosphere better, NO phones in the club house,smart casual in the lounge,shirt tie and club blazer for presentation nights and members only in the main lounge at certain times,this is what i joined for,is it elitist and snobbish probably but in one respect that is why i moved.