Dont learn to hit a golf ball on a course............

[user2009]

Hopefully!

Some are very slow learners!

Maybe some will never "learn" (define when you're deemed to have learned), maybe I'll never break 115, it shouldn't be an issue how good or bad you are.

 

[garyinderry]

While this sounds absolutely reasonable - especially if they are members - there are other aspects of the game to consider beyond etiquette and notwithstanding they might just have a competely miserable time. Also I'd add that damage they might do to the course is, IMO, a red herring of an argument because any damage done will be minimal in the context of a golf course. I can only assume with hope and expectation that they would know that they don't take great swings at the ball with a wedge when on a green.

However - the safety aspect should not be ignored - as much as we might dismiss the risk of injuries as being 'very unlikely'. Let's not forget that we mostly play on golf courses where players have at least a basic knowledge of the game and level of ability. And whilst the danger to one and all on a golf course is therefore minimal - serious accidents do occur. Only a couple of years back a member at my place lost an eye through being hit by a wayward drive from an adjacent hole.

So imagine being on a golf course where balls are rocketing left, right and centre at knee, groin and head height; and where those hitting the balls don;t have much uidea where the ball is heading, and may forget or not know to call 'FORE' or be able to give a 'directed' call of fore (e.g. FORE LEFT!!!).

Example taken to extreme. Yes perhaps. But be careful what you wish for.

Take a little time to get used to swinging a club and hitting the ball (just because some precocious child is filmed doing it and posted on Youtube doesn't mean that a beginner adult can do it); then Pitch and Putt - or Par 3 Course, plus lessons; then a full course accompanied by someone who plays.

Today's society get's itself tied up in knots with everybody having 'rights' to do this that and the other, when in many situations there are good reasons why they can't or shouldn't. Often - as in this golfing example - the rights to something of one group (to play on a 'full' course) is at the expense of the rights of another (the right to be safe on a 'full' course).

sounds like a great rant from my uncle. i agree with alot of it !!

 

[cack_handed]

Sounds about right, with the local kids swimming in the ponds and diving for golf balls. I always thought it was a cracking course though, just needs a bit of TLC.

Ill agree with that dont know how much has changed now as i heard the members have taken over the running of the course now. I always have to try and go for the green on the longer water hole even tho i have never managed it yet

 

[DCB]

Now I haven't got a problem with people taking up the game but for crying out loud go to a range pay your dues and then find a golf course,

Wonder how we managed in the days before driving ranges then ? I learned to play this great game as a youngster. As a youngster all I wanted was to get onto the course, We didn't have a driving range, they probably hadn't been thought off then. We hit balls on the football pitch until chased off by the 'parky', we chipped and putted for hours on make believe greens and then we went and tried to play the course. It probably wasn't pretty to watch but we thought it was magic.

Seemed to manage fine... and ... courses were busier back then as well

 

[Whee]

Why is it always assumed that people out on a golf course must be striving for better, seeking out perfect ball striking etc?

Some people really do just go out for a laugh once every few years as something to do. Not everybody swinging a club is going to get the bug.