EGU Says Relax Dress Codes and Allow Mobile Phones

[davidy233]

Not a big fan of mobiles on the course. No qualms about people carrying them, just don't look at them every other hole. In fact having one saved an old codger at our placed who collapsed and their group were able to get an ambulance out and the trained first aider on a buggy to the scene.

No real issues about jeans in the clubhouse but again, with mobiles I don't want to listen to people yakking on them all the time, watching downloads or listening to ring tones when they go off.

One of the guys at my club was saved by someone having a mobile with them last year too - I don't generally take mine with me but if I do it's on silent in the bag.

I've also just bought two pairs of jeans to wear while playing golf - they're not blue and not denim though so I don't think I'll get questioned.

 

[nemicu]

Trends change and forms of etiquette evolve over the years. Having said that, golf is also a game of tradition. There are many arguments for and against wearing jeans or using mobile phones (usually in the form of : "I don't see the problem") but as others have already noted, golf existed fine and everybody enjoyed the game long before the existence of the mobile phone and long before jeans became the mainstay of mens day attire. The biggest problem is that if you wish to play the best courses in the UK and abroad, they usually ask you ditch the mobile phone and wear trousers rather than jeans. So rather than argue the toss, I simply conform to their criteria. If you can play elsewhere in jeans whilst talking on your mobile phone and not raise an eyebrow in the process, then you have no real cause to complain.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

But your ok if they are a pair of versace couture jeans?

No jeans at all... Who the hell buys Versace jeans theses days? I don't even own a normal straight cut pair of jeans anyway.

 

[the hammer]

Mobiles should not be allowed to be used on the course at any time - period. You may well use yours discretely, but others that follow your lead may not. If you are old enough to have played the game before the advent of mobiles, did you run off the course every now and then to find a payphone....of course you didn't. So you don't need to use a mobile now. Simples.

absolute drivel.

 

[BubbaP]

....

I've also just bought two pairs of jeans to wear while playing golf - they're not blue and not denim though so I don't think I'll get questioned.

Good point, I guess it is denim that objectors object to. Cords or other cotton based are they?

I remember being not far off 18 (years) and not being allowed entry to a night club for wearing 'jeans' when I wasn't - no point in arguing with bouncers though - they did let me slope into the gents and put on a mates pair of work trews.

 

[nemicu]

Come to think of it, I'd like to see someone turn up at the 1st tee at Woodhall Spa clad in jeans with mobile phone in hand and see how long before they where politely asked to leave. Woodhall Spa ironically being the home of the aforementioned EGU.

 

[richart]

We have just been allowed to use mobile phones to ring through to the halfway hut from the 9th tee.

If I had a mobile phone I would make full use of the concession.:mmm:

 

[nemicu]

And here's the link to the visitor rules: http://www.woodhallspagolf.com/rules_and_guidelines

kind of makes the whole basis of this thread rather a moot point.

 

[GB72]

And here's the link to the visitor rules: http://www.woodhallspagolf.com/rules_and_guidelines

kind of makes the whole basis of this thread rather a moot point.

I think that the general point is that if your membership is full, plenty want to visit your course and the bar and food takings are good then you can keep doing what you are doing and Woodhall Spa falls into that category. I strongly suspect that few top 100 courses are ever going to have to worry too much about these things.

I was always told that the definition of stupidity was to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results and this is what some clubs are doing. If you want to try and attract new members or increase bar takings then you need to try other ideas. It may not be clothes, it may not be phones but the fortunes of a club are not going to change by doing or changing nothing,

 

[didsbury_duffer]

absolute drivel.

"Mobile phones may be carried on the course for emergency purposes but must be switched off or set to silent mode. The use of mobile phones is not allowed in the club house." - Wheatley Golf Club mobile phone rules circa 4/3/14.

 

[nemicu]

Good point. But is dumbing down to the masses the answer? I would say golf lost it's elitist tag a long time ago, but also managed to retain some of it's heritage for precisely the reason jeans and mobiles are banned. I think most people would be turned off by a club which had pretty lax policy on it's customer base and consequently it's business would suffer as a result. You can window dress it all you like, but if a golf course is struggling financially, it's usually not a lack of denim and iTunes that are the problem. There ARE plenty of courses which allow jeans and mobiles, but I would also hasten to add that their revenue as a going concern as a golf course with members is not high on their agenda either.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

The SGU suggested this a couple of years ago.
I remember seeing a couple of staffers and two junior golf stars on the front page of their Mag. They looked pretty embarrassed.

I think most Scottish golfers carried on as usual, I haven't noticed many adults wearing jeans on the courses I play [mainly muni's]

As we cannot tell the difference between trainers and golf shoes now are clubs going to pay someone to do a boot inspection on the 1st tee, like fitba.

As I have said many times, I have a picture of my Papa and his cousin winning the Evening Times Trophy [old Scottish Foursomes Championship] They are wearing tweed suits, stud collar and ties and tackity boots. For those who demand tradition I suggest they adopt that look.

 

[G1BB0]

I couldnt think of a worse thing to wear for 18 holes in the warmer spring/summer days than jeans. They are uncomfortable enough sitting at home when its warm or shopping down town so sod wearing them for golf.

The range I use has a gym attached so is more of a leisure facility than out and out golf club so jeans are allowed areound the clubhouse and plenty can be seen using phones. No probs with me.

If I was attending a more prestigious venue then I would alter my attire accordingly.

 

[the hammer]

"Mobile phones may be carried on the course for emergency purposes but must be switched off or set to silent mode. The use of mobile phones is not allowed in the club house." - Wheatley Golf Club mobile phone rules circa 4/3/14.

And your point Is? your saying not at all, but saying I can at my course, I already know that.

 

[didsbury_duffer]

And your point Is? your saying not at all, but saying I can at my course, I already know that.

My point is that, in my opinion, mobiles should not be used on the course, and this is backed up by your own club Wheatley. Surely this is not too difficult to grasp!!

 

[GB72]

Good point. But is dumbing down to the masses the answer? I would say golf lost it's elitist tag a long time ago, but also managed to retain some of it's heritage for precisely the reason jeans and mobiles are banned. I think most people would be turned off by a club which had pretty lax policy on it's customer base and consequently it's business would suffer as a result. You can window dress it all you like, but if a golf course is struggling financially, it's usually not a lack of denim and iTunes that are the problem. There ARE plenty of courses which allow jeans and mobiles, but I would also hasten to add that their revenue as a going concern as a golf course with members is not high on their agenda either.

I am not sure that this is dumbing down but I would add that my views for on the course and off differ. I have often said that my club could make more money from me and a number of people I play with. All of us have passed the club when we need some lunch or a drink and allhave driven past because we are in jeans or trainers. Money that we would spend at the club goes elsewhere.at one of my previous clubs I used to get up there early in the morning, have ba couple of coffers, maybe breakfast and check my emails and read the news on my phone. No phone use in the clubhouse at my current club so more money lost. Just because the rules change does not mean that everyone is going to suddenly pitch up in ripped jeans and a hoodie whilst yelling down a phone but it does allow people to dress and act in a way that is more relaxing and normal to them.

 

[davidy233]

Good point, I guess it is denim that objectors object to. Cords or other cotton based are they?

They'd probably be described as cords but they are pretty subtle in that way.

They are what I'll wear for a wander around the course normally - will put the good trousers on for opens etc.

 

[standrew]

Lots of spikeless and spiked shoes look so chavvy and horrid. A lot of golfers look bloody ridicilous in 1940s chinos and nasty coloured shirts. Just dress smart and dont look frumpy!

The only thing that i care about is performance. I prefer wearing 3 qtr length shorts in warmer weather to feel cooler and be able to be a bit more loose.

 

[stevie_r]

Lots of spikeless and spiked shoes look so chavvy and horrid. A large majority of golfers look bloody ridicilous in 1940s chinos and nasty coloured shirts. Just dress smart and dont look frumpy!

The only thing that i care about is performance. I prefer wearing 3 qtr length shorts in warmer weather to feel cooler and be able to be a bit more loose.

And you see no contradiction in your post?

 

[nemicu]

I am not sure that this is dumbing down but I would add that my views for on the course and off differ. I have often said that my club could make more money from me and a number of people I play with. All of us have passed the club when we need some lunch or a drink and allhave driven past because we are in jeans or trainers. Money that we would spend at the club goes elsewhere.at one of my previous clubs I used to get up there early in the morning, have ba couple of coffers, maybe breakfast and check my emails and read the news on my phone. No phone use in the clubhouse at my current club so more money lost. Just because the rules change does not mean that everyone is going to suddenly pitch up in ripped jeans and a hoodie whilst yelling down a phone but it does allow people to dress and act in a way that is more relaxing and normal to them.

I hear what you're saying but most clubs are looking to secure more money how? Not by the casual golfer but with membership. Members are more likely to want to eat or drink after a round in the clubhouse. Members are more likely to purchase from the proshop. Members are more likely to participate in events and functions. Are clubs really worried that they might miss out on the occasional sale because someone passing was wearing jeans? Absolutely not. Are the casual golfers in jeans likely to continue to play at the same venue and provide a solid revenue stream? Nope. Are the once-in-a-while golfers in jeans likely to alienate the fee paying members who pay for the privilege? Yes.
Attire is not the real issue. Securing an investment from a group of golfers is.
At a recent open event at a local club, they decided to open the course to anybody who wanted to try out golf. No dress restrictions where in place - a total free for all for anybody who wanted to play a round for a minimal fee was offered. Initially, quite a few people turned up. Pace of play was slow as you can imagine, but the bar was also open and the restaurant was also on hand to provide catering for anyone who wanted a meal or snack. Of the some 150 people who took up the offer of the open day, only two decided to use the clubhouse afterwards to use the facilities. Nobody made a purchase of so much as a ball or bag of tees from the shop. No new memberships were secured. About half a dozen visitors were ever seen at the club again. The members, who decided to stay away because of the perceived free for all, actually ended up costing the club lost profits.
So you see, clubs who employ a rules policy based around dress code and mobiles phones actually do it for a logical reason. If someone who wants to join a club, then a modest request to alter their dress code and attitude is a small price to pay to enjoy all a club has to offer. I've yet to see a golf course struggle financially because a small minority decided "they don't allow jeans - it's not for us".