Clubs still in the Dark Ages

[dufferman]

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?

The thread is about clubs stuck in the 19th Century. Not allowing mobile phones, to me, seems like a very 19th Century thing. As I mentioned earlier, being 25, technology like mobile phones are just part of my daily life, like they are for 99% of 25 year olds in the UK.

I also use the Golfshot GPS app on my phone to give me distances from the center of the green when out on the course. I use it to record my scores for a round, rather than keeping hoards of score cards in a box under my bed. Having a mobile phone has become and integral part of my game.

Sitting in clubhouse, minding my own business, sending or receiving a text message or two, I'm not hurting anyone. Yes, my phone is on silent. I understand that having a ridiculous ringtone will grind peoples gears. I respect that. All I said was, when people ask you to put your phone away, when you're not causing a scene, or being loud and obnoxious, it feels a little dated.

I play a few courses regularly, and have never had a problem. At Hillingdon Golf club where I was asked to put my phone away, the Captain made a speech at the yearly carol concert fund raiser about bringing new members to the club. It is strange to think that clubs like this want new members, but have rules that push young people like myself away. Bit of a catch 22.

 

[Fader]

I'm currently a member at a public course though as i've stated before looking for aprivate one for ease of use. But even my public course has rules on mobiles. Nothing wrong with it if it rings as long as you take the call out in the foyer or on the balcony, nothing to do with snobbery, archaic rules or wanting to live in a time where Ceaser ruled, simply a case of being courteous to others and respecting their right to relax without someone gobbing off down a mobile.

I've got a mobile laptop all the works but wouldn't dream of using in the golf club as I want to chat with the guys i've just played with. If you need text her in doors or report in so to speak do it on the way to the club house or on your visit to the gents, wheres the hardship in that. Mobiles are killing the art of conversation as it is

 

[GreiginFife]

At 33, I don't view myself as old. I work in the telecomms and broadcast industry so technology is an integral part of my day to day life.
Using your phone as an integral part of your game is a PERSONAL choice, not everyone does. So just because you feel that you are uber modern and up to date doesn't mean the world around you should fall in to step and if not they are "outdated".
Oh and btw, no one knew what a mobile was in the 19th century (or a normal phone for that matter). Not even until the late 20th century for mobiles, so I would probably hazard a guess that there was no, no mobiles rule, in any clubhouse until at least the late 1990's and probably for most until the early part of this ​century.

 

[Fish]

Golfers should be strongly advised not to use mobile phones as DMD's.

If they have a utility, which most do, that breaches rule 14:3 then the penalty is disqualification from any qualifying competition.

The England Golf 2012 hard card pretty much bans their use because of the wording in paragraph 10.

In my opinion and that shared by Hendo, if all the tight @rse app users either done without or went and got a proper DMD then there would be no issue regarding taking a mobile phone onto a course.

Its like taking a badminton racket to a tennis match !!! Just get a tennis racket and play properly!

I can feel a case of cold turkey coming on as the mobile has to be left in the car for 5 hours.

 

[dufferman]

Oh and btw, no one knew what a mobile was in the 19th century (or a normal phone for that matter). Not even until the late 20th century for mobiles, so I would probably hazard a guess that there was no, no mobiles rule, in any clubhouse until at least the late 1990's and probably for most until the early part of this ​century.

What?? Mobile phones weren't invented back then?? I thought they'd been around since at least the 1600's?

 

[GreiginFife]

What?? Mobile phones weren't invented back then?? I thought they'd been around since at least the 1600's?

Indeed, so comparing a rule banning mobiles to 19th century attitudes is as ridiculous as my pointing that out.

 

[dufferman]

I'm only pulling yer leg :ears:

It's all a matter of opinion. In 100 years time, people will have something else to argue over. I just hope by that time we can all tweet about it from the clubhouse

 

[BoadieBroadus]

our club allows phones in the clubhouse and there are no problems with someone sending the odd text on the phone. if you want to take a call, however, you are asked to do it outside.

i'd agree that banning someone from sending texts in the clubhouse is a touch extreme. but i often reflect that the clubhouse at the golf club is the only place where i am free from the irritation of listening to one side of a conversation on a mobile phone. and the one place where if someone does take a call or wanders in with their hat on, then there are plenty of people who will swiftly offer correcting advice to the person offending...

 

[Imurg]

It is strange to think that clubs like this want new members, but have rules that push young people like myself away.

Damn it - I'm over 30.

Must throw my phone away instantly - not allowed one you see...........

Do you think it's only Young people who have mobiles?
Virtually everyone over the age of 10 has one these days, they are the most anti-social device invented apart from the ipod.

If you can't sit in a clubhouse for an hour without reaching for your phone then it's a sad day.....
By all means have it on silent but if you need to use it just go outside - where's the problem with that?
I wouldn't want the whole club earwigging a private call.........

And if you simply must use your phone, then simply find a club taht lets you use it wherever you are - Good Luck on that one....

 

[dufferman]

Must throw my phone away instantly - not allowed one you see...........

Now you're just twisting my words!

 

[USER1999]

I know the club in question very well. I was a member there a while ago. Snobby it is not. They have moved so far from what I consider a golf club to be, I left. If you have issues there, may be you are not cut out for golf?

 

[richart]

Damn it - I'm over 30.

Must throw my phone away instantly - not allowed one you see...........

Do you think it's only Young people who have mobiles?
Virtually everyone over the age of 10 has one these days

Oh dear I am letting the oldies down.

 

[TerryA]

I used to be a points member at another club in Norfolk - i'm also a full member at Bawburgh. I took a guest with me to play at this other club and was told he could not come in to the bar with trainers - they were not trainers but casual canvass shoes - nor could he play whilst wearing black sports socks - He could wear them with trousers but not shorts! I checked the website and it was cerainly ambiguous!
I wrote in and complained at the attitude and was basically told to leave if I didn't like it - I left. The club has been losing membership at the rate of over 10% per year for the last few years and is now apparently in severe financial difficulty and may well close before the end of this year - is it any wonder!!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

If public places like train carriages have 'quiet zones' where a mobile isn't allowed (although no-one ever takes any notice!!) then I don't see why golf clubs shouldn't be able to ban them also. If someone has the hump about having to go outside to answer a call then they are just downright selfish and lazy.......end of!

 

[richart]

If public places like train carriages have 'quiet zones' where a mobile isn't allowed (although no-one ever takes any notice!!) then I don't see why golf clubs shouldn't be able to ban them also. If someone has the hump about having to go outside to answer a call then they are just downright selfish and lazy.......end of!

I thought quiet zones on trains were places where people using mobile phones could hear their conversation better.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

LCV

Your thread appears to have been hijacked, apologies for that.

To get back to your original question, plenty of these clubs still exist in the Surrey/Berks area. Swinley Forest is probably the best example, it's only in the last few years they have introduced handicaps, their members never used to need them as the club doesn't (still the case?) have any competitions. West Hill is another where you have to change into jacket and tie for lunch, even on a baking hot day. Same at Rye where you can't apply for membership, you have to be nominated and seconded by 10 (yes...TEN) other members.

 

[Imurg]

Oh dear I am letting the oldies down.

I did say "virtually" Rich - I understand that you're stuck in the 80's but I hear there's a good Therapist near you......:thup:

 

[dufferman]

If you have issues there, may be you are not cut out for golf?

I don't see how using a mobile phone at the clubhouse means you're not cut out for Golf?

 

[GreiginFife]

I did say "virtually" Rich - I understand that you're stuck in the 80's but I hear there's a good Therapist near you......:thup:

He can always use www.therapistfinder.com.... :rofl:

 

[LCVreg]

Yep, it all seems to have gone "Mobile" mad - as far as Mobiles are concerned, well I do know one member who's life was saved on the course by having a mobile! - clubhouse, probably best not too, but the question as asked was not particular to any pedantic usage of phones, shoes etc etc, it was more about exactly as you mentioned, the attitudes, the nit picking little clothing rules, the not opening the catering or bar to 11.00am etc etc etc

e attitude, the

LCV

Your thread appears to have been hijacked, apologies for that.

To get back to your original question, plenty of these clubs still exist in the Surrey/Berks area. Swinley Forest is probably the best example, it's only in the last few years they have introduced handicaps, their members never used to need them as the club doesn't (still the case?) have any competitions. West Hill is another where you have to change into jacket and tie for lunch, even on a baking hot day. Same at Rye where you can't apply for membership, you have to be nominated and seconded by 10 (yes...TEN) other members.