Clubs still in the Dark Ages

[Airlie_Andy]

I do find some of these attitudes odd. How is listening to someone talking on a mobile phone anymore rude/annoying/selfish then listening to 2 or more people having a conversation? How is someone sending or reading a text or using the Internet on the phone (if the phone is on silent) anymore rude/annoying/selfish then someone sat quietly reading the paper or a book? Providing the phone is on silent what is the issue here? I sometimes go to the club on my own for a practice and then pop into the clubhouse for a drink and maybe a bite to eat, if nobody is about to talk to I'll use my phone to maybe send a few texts and even read this very forum to keep myself entertained. What if I took a golf monthly magazine instead? Is that really any different? A lot of the criticism about mobile phones seems to just be based on the fact it's a mobile rather than what it's actually being used for and any perceived impact.

If someone sat on there own silently using a mobile phone while they have a quiet drink really irks people but someone sat reading a magazine while they have a quiet drink is fine then I can't help thinking this is more about the perception of the "sort" of people that use a phone rather than any negative impact it supposedly has.

 

[North Mimms]

I guess if you are looking at antiquated rules, then Wimbledon Common/London Scottish has one where you have to wear pillar red tops on the course (no other colour allowed). Its a by-law of playing on the course and has been in place since the club opened in 190

The red shirt/jumper rule at Wimbledon Common is a safety thing.
The public has right of way on the common and golfers have to wear red so the the nannys and children can see us coming!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

...for example clubs who ban caps indoors...

Difference with this compared with many 'dress rules' is that wearing a hat indoors is generally understood (not just in golf clubs) to be 'poor etiquette' and will irritate some members. And why should members be irritated when it is so simple to adhere to the accepted etiquette norm! If folk don't know that it is poor etiquette - then they can be told. In a previous club some members would exclaim 'drinks for all' if someone came into the bar wearing a hat (as much to make the point and indirectly telling the miscreant to remove headgear as actually demanding that drinks be bought)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

How is someone sending or reading a text or using the Internet on the phone (if the phone is on silent) anymore rude/annoying/selfish then someone sat quietly reading the paper or a book?

Well - it's not. If I was by myself and I sat down beside another member who was reading a newspaper or magazine - I would expect that member to stop what he/she was doing/reading and engage in conversation - if only to allow me to say 'it's OK, keep reading' or something to that effect. It's just polite.

And if you don't understand why mobile phone conversations can be irritating, then you won't understand why some of us can find them irritating. But some of us do. And therefore in the context of a club members should not have​ to put up with them.

 

[bigslice]

mmm imo its all about respect, in our clubhouse im sure you cant use your phone. but its in my pocket on silent (in fact its on silent before i enter the golf club incase it goes off while going by some of the holes) im fine with that. i take my cap off after the match to shake hands with my partner. im only 39 years old but taught respect and manners fae my papa and parents. when my papa visited us he would always take his cap off. its all about respect and manners, simple. yes this is 2012 and times are a changing but manners and respect cost nothing.
now if the club changed to being able to use a phone, well thats fine with me. i can move the times but i will still take my cap off and say please and thank you. imo

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

...its all about respect and manners, simple. yes this is 2012 and times are a changing but manners and respect cost nothing. now if the club changed to being able to use a phone, well thats fine with me. i can move the times but i will still take my cap off and say please and thank you. imo

I doff my cap to you sir in respect of that post.

 

[Dodger]

Am not arguing but can anyone tell me why you should take yer bunnet off to shake hand or not wear it indoors??

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Am not arguing but can anyone tell me why you should take yer bunnet off to shake hand or not wear it indoors??

Understood etiquette and in respect to others

 

[Neddy]

And if you don't understand why mobile phone conversations can be irritating, then you won't understand why some of us can find them irritating. But some of us do. And therefore in the context of a club members should not have​ to put up with them.

For me....fourball engaged in loud "everyone can hear every word" conversation in the corner - highly irritating.

Bloke in the corner making a quick phone call to his wife - slightly irritating.

If I was a member of a club does that mean I have a right to say "that lot in the corner are really annoying me, can you tell them to shut up please?"

No, and nor should I....just like someone shouldn't be told not to send a quick text or check the football score. What other people are doing actually has nothing to do with me.

I consider myself a respectable and courteous individual so what does it matter if i wear my trainers or send a text?

Why do golf clubs feel the need to tell people what to wear, how to behave and when they can or cannot go to the toilet?! It's like being at school....we are adults, can we not be trusted to behave reasonably and have manners without being told exactly what to do?

Live and let live....

 

[stevek1969]

Our club has change dover the years they knew they had to,it was a Gin Palace for many a year but not so much now. All the old dodgers who nurse a pot of tea between 6 of them got to the main lounge and the working class money spenders ie me go to the members bar which has Sky Sports and a pool table.

But if you want to use your phone you go outside ,simples ,its the same rule for everyone.

 

[bigslice]

Am not arguing but can anyone tell me why you should take yer bunnet off to shake hand or not wear it indoors??

respect and manners, if i go into a church or chapel (see what i did there) and was wearing a cap, bunnet, or hat i would take it off

 

[Dodger]

Understood etiquette and in respect to others

I know that but where does it come from and why?

Old stiff upper lip stuff?

 

[BeachGolfer]

Am not arguing but can anyone tell me why you should take yer bunnet off to shake hand or not wear it indoors??

Threads full of WUMs. Shut it down.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

For me....fourball engaged in loud "everyone can hear every word" conversation in the corner - highly irritating.

Bloke in the corner making a quick phone call to his wife - slightly irritating.

If I was a member of a club does that mean I have a right to say "that lot in the corner are really annoying me, can you tell them to shut up please?"

No, and nor should I....just like someone shouldn't be told not to send a quick text or check the football score. What other people are doing actually has nothing to do with me.

I consider myself a respectable and courteous individual so what does it matter if i wear my trainers or send a text?

Why do golf clubs feel the need to tell people what to wear, how to behave and when they can or cannot go to the toilet?! It's like being at school....we are adults, can we not be trusted to behave reasonably and have manners without being told exactly what to do?

Live and let live....

Some of what you say I agree with. Unfortunately as soon as 'rules' are relaxed some will take advantage of the relaxation or really push the new boundaries - and you end up with a mess - and lots of unhappy and squabbling members. Is it really worth it? And yes - I too get very irritated by the loud four ball discussing the length of their d***s in the corner (not literally but you get my drift).

The bit I disagree with you is '...What other people are doing actually has nothing to do with me' well...in a members club it does.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I know that but where does it come from and why?

Old stiff upper lip stuff?

Doesn't matter - that's how it is.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

For me....fourball engaged in loud "everyone can hear every word" conversation in the corner - highly irritating.

Bloke in the corner making a quick phone call to his wife - slightly irritating.

If I was a member of a club does that mean I have a right to say "that lot in the corner are really annoying me, can you tell them to shut up please?"

No, and nor should I....just like someone shouldn't be told not to send a quick text or check the football score. What other people are doing actually has nothing to do with me.

I consider myself a respectable and courteous individual so what does it matter if i wear my trainers or send a text?

Why do golf clubs feel the need to tell people what to wear, how to behave and when they can or cannot go to the toilet?! It's like being at school....we are adults, can we not be trusted to behave reasonably and have manners without being told exactly what to do?

Live and let live....

If you join a club, you sign up and agree to abide by it's rules. If they say no mobiles, trainers, jeans or whatever then tough, those are the rules. You have made an adult decision, nobody forced you into it. If you don't like a club's rules then either don't join or join one that has rules that suit your requirements.

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Well - it's not. If I was by myself and I sat down beside another member who was reading a newspaper or magazine - I would expect that member to stop what he/she was doing/reading and engage in conversation - if only to allow me to say 'it's OK, keep reading' or something to that effect. It's just polite.

And if you don't understand why mobile phone conversations can be irritating, then you won't understand why some of us can find them irritating. But some of us do. And therefore in the context of a club members should not have​ to put up with them.

I actually said I don't understand why hearing someone on a phone is anymore irritating then hearing several people having a conversation? Simply saying some members may be irritated by mobile phones and therefore I as a fellow member should have to put up with there irrational prejudice makes no sense to me. As it happens if someone rang me I would go outside so that I could hear them properly and it may be a private conversation anyway but I really don't see how sending a silent text is effecting anyone else?

 

[Airlie_Andy]

If you join a club, you sign up and agree to abide by it's rules. If they say no mobiles, trainers, jeans or whatever then tough, those are the rules. You have made an adult decision, nobody forced you into it. If you don't like a club's rules then either don't join or join one that has rules that suit your requirements.

I've done just that. However, posters are quite entitled to question the validity of these rules and perhaps suggest alternatives.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I actually said I don't understand why hearing someone on a phone is anymore irritating then hearing several people having a conversation?

Because it just is. I can't really explain why - but it is - to me. But then I'm the sort of guy who will point out to someone on the phone in the Quiet Zone of a train just where they are sitting and what they shouldn't be doing. Just me I suppose.

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Because it just is. I can't really explain why - but it is - to me. But then I'm the sort of guy who will point out to someone on the phone in the Quiet Zone of a train just where they are sitting and what they shouldn't be doing. Just me I suppose.

That's absolutely fine but would you tell 2 people having a conversation in the quiet zone to shut up? Why does the fact it's on a phone suddenly make it annoying? Sorry if it seems like I'm picking on you a bit but your willing to answer and I really just don't get it.