Clubs still in the Dark Ages

[Neddy]

Just out of interest, how do people feel about mobile phones on driving ranges?

I never take mine to the range, but i was at one today where two people in bays close by received or made phone calls.

Now it didn't personally bother me, but it just got me thinking about this thread and how certain contributors to it might not have approved!

 

[Fader]

Just out of interest, how do people feel about mobile phones on driving ranges?

I never take mine to the range, but i was at one today where two people in bays close by received or made phone calls.

Now it didn't personally bother me, but it just got me thinking about this thread and how certain contributors to it might not have approved!

I always put mine on silent a the range, do check it occaisionally more for the time than any other reason. However there is usually someones phone that goes off and they answer the call. Really doesn't bother me at the range, after all not everyone there maybe a serious golfer or for serious practice.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In this age of the ubiquitous mobile - many might see clubs that ban mobile phones as being enlightened rather than in the dark ages. As others have said - it doesn't matter what you or I think about a club that bans phones - the club has made that decision so follow the rules or don't play. And as far as 'important business calls' - well most of us try and work all day and would jump at the opportunity to play during the week. If you can - you don't abuse it. That's just how it is.

 

[Snelly]

In this age of the ubiquitous mobile - many might see clubs that ban mobile phones as being enlightened rather than in the dark ages. As others have said - it doesn't matter what you or I think about a club that bans phones - the club has made that decision so follow the rules or don't play. And as far as 'important business calls' - well most of us try and work all day and would jump at the opportunity to play during the week. If you can - you don't abuse it. That's just how it is.

Well said.

I like playing at clubs where phones are banned as it gives me the break that I want from work after making a decision to take a day off to play a game of golf.

All these posts about surgeons etc are a red herring. Most people are not surgeons nor are they that important that they need to take phone calls on the course.

It is so simple. if you need to spend the day making and taking calls then clearly, you cannot fit a round of golf into such a schedule. Personally, I would not be able to concentrate on my game if I had work problems coming in from on course conversations anyway.

 

[Fader]

I don't understand how anyone can go a few hours without having their mobile glued to their hands. Do these people also wake from their slumber just to check if they have a text/tweet/facebook notification.

Surely if you decide to play golf then you are looking to enjoy that if you want to play the next snake game on your phone perhaps another hobby is for you.

We have a regular swindle of between, 8-16 dependant on people that turn up on the day with varied jobs and have families etc. I can't recall ever in a year playing with this group ever seeing one of them use a phone on course or even having it out in the clubhouse. In this time of how someone always knows where you are and can contact you, I find it a little piece on inner sanctum to know for that period of time it's just me doing what I want and not needing to answer the phone to explain where and what i'm upto.

 

[dufferman]

After reading this whole thing from the first few people to 'hate' on mobile phones to now - I think there is a clear divide.

Surely though, the simple, easy solution is a little give and take? In medals, yeah, maybe a call on the course is out of hand. But on the weekend between friends for a quick one for business purposes, let it slide?

Mr Big Balls la-di-da on the phone in the clubhouse shouting about his wife's boob job surgery should be asked to leave to take the call - understandable. The lad sending a quick text whilst the phone is on silent where no-one really notices could just be left in peace since he's hurting no-one?

For those who say rules are rules are rules... I cannot believe you're all saints? You've never ran through the clubhouse in your spikes for a quick pre game wee? Maybe putted when you're buddies off the green to speed up the day?

 

[Fader]

Surely though, the simple, easy solution is a little give and take? In medals, yeah, maybe a call on the course is out of hand. But on the weekend between friends for a quick one for business purposes, let it slide?

Mr Big Balls la-di-da on the phone in the clubhouse shouting about his wife's boob job surgery should be asked to leave to take the call - understandable. The lad sending a quick text whilst the phone is on silent where no-one really notices could just be left in peace since he's hurting no-one?

For those who say rules are rules are rules... I cannot believe you're all saints? You've never ran through the clubhouse in your spikes for a quick pre game wee? Maybe putted when you're buddies off the green to speed up the day?

To you first point, I don't see any need even in a friendly knock with mates for use of a phone on the course. Your there to enjoy yourself regardless of competitive or not and for the respect of those your playing with to not answer the phone.

as for the quiet text in the corner, I wouldn't have an issue with that as long as i'm not talking to the person in question who suddenly picks up their phone mid conversation to start checking their phone etc, as that I would find disrespectful

 

[dufferman]

To you first point, I don't see any need even in a friendly knock with mates for use of a phone on the course. Your there to enjoy yourself regardless of competitive or not and for the respect of those your playing with to not answer the phone.

I understand that is your personal choice, but that isn't everyone else's view or choice. By telling people they can't use their phones because you don't like it is a bit off. If it affects the game (holds up 3 groups on the 5th tee because the group with said 'offender' isn't putting) I totally agree. However, is it harming anyone if a call is made walking from the tee to the 250yd drive each of the 3 ball all hit...? Forget if you think that is rude or un-gentlemanly, is it affecting your game?

 

[Fader]

I understand that is your personal choice, but that isn't everyone else's view or choice. By telling people they can't use their phones because you don't like it is a bit off. If it affects the game (holds up 3 groups on the 5th tee because the group with said 'offender' isn't putting) I totally agree. However, is it harming anyone if a call is made walking from the tee to the 250yd drive each of the 3 ball all hit...? Forget if you think that is rude or un-gentlemanly, is it affecting your game?

Of course it's affecting mine or whoever else's game it is, as its happening in the group being played in. Courtesy and manners cost nothing and is it really a hardship to not have a mobile glued tou the ear for a few short hours of a recreational activity.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've got a mate who is a GP and is sometimes 'on call' for 'serious incident support' when he plays. He has had the OK from the club to take his mobile onto the course and he always informs his playing companions on the first that he may have to make a call or disappear off - a very unlikely possibility but one that exists nonetheless. He has it on silent and checks it discretely for missed calls or texts every few holes. And that is absolutely fine - it may seem like one rule for one a different one for others - and yes it is - but it is a concession made by the club that I am more than happy to accept. As it happens I've never been playing with him when he's received any such message.

 

[upsidedown]

I feel sad for all the pro mobile on course users that they cant organise their lives to live 3.5 to 4 hours without getting their fix.

Me, I'm self employed and when on the course I'm playing golf so calls can wait till I'm ready to deal with them, I'm in control not my phone in control of me !!

 

[dufferman]

Of course it's affecting mine or whoever else's game it is, as its happening in the group being played in. Courtesy and manners cost nothing and is it really a hardship to not have a mobile glued tou the ear for a few short hours of a recreational activity.

Sorry - I think we're on the wrong page here - I was referring to you perhaps being in the group behind. I do agree if you were to ask me or anyone not to use their mobiles, it would be downright rude to ignore it!

However, I must ask... at the risk of opening a whole can of worms... what about GPS Apps on smartphones? Again, I'm a user of it on the course (saving £50+ on a decent Garmin Golf GPS watch / device or equivilant). Is that (outside of a competition) acceptable?

 

[Hobbit]

I understand that is your personal choice, but that isn't everyone else's view or choice. By telling people they can't use their phones because you don't like it is a bit off. If it affects the game (holds up 3 groups on the 5th tee because the group with said 'offender' isn't putting) I totally agree. However, is it harming anyone if a call is made walking from the tee to the 250yd drive each of the 3 ball all hit...? Forget if you think that is rude or un-gentlemanly, is it affecting your game?

I'm in the 'no I don't like it' when out on the course. Using your example, and I've experienced this a few times, the 4 ball on another fairway are walking to their balls and one of them was on the phone. Its intrusive... BTW I'm partly deaf and still found it instrusive.

What's wrong with conversing with those in your 4ball? Why do you have to ring someone, or receive a call? How do you think we all survived for donkey's years without a mobile?

 

[Fader]

On course GPS device useage, as long as its allowed under the local rules is a different matter. No issue personally with it, though with using a phone to make calls totally against that.

 

[MadAdey]

I think this is one of those things that people will never agree on. There are valid reasons put forward both for and against having a phone on the course with you. My attitude towards it will not change. If someone is using one and it is not affecting me then what is the problem. It has been mentioned that someone gets allowed to use one as he is an "on call doctor", which is something that I have highlighted as someone who may need it on the course. But what about the next man who asks for a concession, because he needs to be in touch with the office or what ever reason he has for having a phone with him. I do not htink you can start having double standards at a club, they are either banned or not. If I go to a club that are really against them then I would abide by that rule. Plenty of things on the course to wreck your enjoyment, what about people that have foghorns for voices and walk down another fairway when you are trying to play a shot. Or the person that walks past with his clubs rattling around in his bag. Golf to me is all about showing consideration to others around you and not wrecking their enjoyment of a round.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I think this is one of those things that people will never agree on. There are valid reasons put forward both for and against having a phone on the course with you.

I can think of no valid reasons for allowing general use of mobile phones on a golf course if their use irritates other players - as it does. In fact I can't really think of any valid reasons full stop. Easy enough for a call to be left with the pro shop and for them to come out and get you.

My attitude towards it will not change. If someone is using one and it is not affecting me then what is the problem. It has been mentioned that someone gets allowed to use one as he is an "on call doctor", which is something that I have highlighted as someone who may need it on the course. But what about the next man who asks for a concession, because he needs to be in touch with the office or what ever reason he has for having a phone with him. I do not htink you can start having double standards at a club, they are either banned or not.

A GP on 'serious incident standby' is not your normal situation and him being contacted would be a rare occurrence (obviously) so a completely different set of circumstances than a 'business' call. And please let's not get into the semantics about whether or not a GP on 'serious incident' call is business or not - the differentiation is very obvious so we are not talking double-standards in any way, shape or form - 'either banned or not' is a neat attempt at a bit of moral blackmail given the case I mention - bit like the Aberdonian on money and death - if I cannae take it with me I'm no goin'). Besides the man who suspects that the office may urgently need to be in touch with him shouldn't be on the golf course if a pending call could be so critical as to need dealing with instantly.

If I go to a club that are really against them then I would abide by that rule.

If they are banned in what way would a club not be really against them [/QUOTE]

Plenty of things on the course to wreck your enjoyment, what about people that have foghorns for voices and walk down another fairway when you are trying to play a shot. Or the person that walks past with his clubs rattling around in his bag.

Yes - quite agree and at my place such things are mentioned to these miscreants at the time

Golf to me is all about showing consideration to others around you and not wrecking their enjoyment of a round.

Indeed - QED

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

However, I must ask... at the risk of opening a whole can of worms... what about GPS Apps on smartphones? Again, I'm a user of it on the course (saving £50+ on a decent Garmin Golf GPS watch / device or equivilant). Is that (outside of a competition) acceptable?

Very much depends upon what other Apps are on the phone. Your verbal declaration that you won't use other Apps that may be deemed to be a source of additional playing information may not be good enough, and you may have to disable them - some clubs may not even accept that. Always check with the pro shop.

 

[MadAdey]

I am with people on a lot of things that are being said regarding phones at the club hogan.To me it is one of those things that if it is not bothering me then I do not care. I have mine with me as I use the golf GPS app on mine, but it is left on silent and I would never use it on the course, as I do not need to. I might make a quick call from the clubhouse if needed, but I would go outside away from others. My club has a ruling that they are not allowed in the clubhouse, so go outside if you need to use it. I agree that some people need to be contactable, like doctors and have used them as examples in previous posts. My regular playing partner is a senior prison officer and is riot trained. He had a call once on the course and had to leave immediately as there was a riot and some officers where being held by prisoners in a cell. To me that is a good reason to be contactable, as it was a matter of urgency. But when it comes to some people can have them and some can't you create a grey area as to who can and can't carry them and how do you make a list of people that can. For me a lot of people can be on that list, policemen, Firemen, ambulance drivers, prison officers, armed forces personnel, doctors, surgeons, nurses etc etc. These people are all involved with emrgency situations of the great importance, so they could all justify having a phone with them. So at what point do you say who can and can't use a phone at the golf club?

 

[Hobbit]

Just a slant on the emergency on-call scenario. I was the on-call medical engineer for many years. When it was my on-call week I didn't play for 2 reasons. I didn't want to spoil someone else's round by walking in, and it would take the thick end of an hour by the time I walk in and drive to the hospital.

The question that arises from that is are you really an emergency on-caller if you can afford the time to be out in the middle of the course?

 

[dufferman]

I'm a web developer, and have to keep an eye on our customers websites that take £1000's worth of business on weekends. What happens when one of those website goes down, and my email system starts sending out urgent repair emails to me? I would say that my customer losing £1000's of business is important. And let me tell you, if I said I was on the golf course so I couldn't fix it (and by fix it I mean either sort the problem out OR delegate the problem to a member of our team) I wouldn't have a business to run. However, others would say that emergency Doctors or Prison Riot Officers are much more important than my customers - it's all opinion.

However, it does seem that almost all the arguments against phones are people who believe they are some sort of better person for not wanting to use one and 'enjoy the company of the people you're with'. That's nice for you, but who are you to tell someone else what they can and can't do?

Does it affect your game is the only question that needs to be asked. In the clubhouse is a different story, that I've quite openly said how I feel, that many disagreed. But banning them on the course because you're not the kind of person who uses a mobile is like stopping 4x4's driving on the road in towns because you drive a Toyota Prius.