Etiquette - What would you have done?

[3offTheTee]

Before finishing reading this post I KNOW what they should have done however:

Played twice over the weekend; the first time held up from the 7th by 3 Seniors', ours was a 2 ball, also 8th through until 18th where we had to wait on every hole. On the 10th they proceeded to have coffee from their flask and we had walked off the 9th and they had not even played their shot to the 10th which is a short par 3 as they had not finished their coffee!

The next day we were in a 4Ball playing Match play where putts were conceeded. Similar situation when we came to the 7th where there was a 5 BALL, REPEAT 5 BALL. We were held up again all the way round on every hole although on 2 holes twice.When we reached the 16th we came off in disgust. What made it worse was that one of the 5Ball was a Past Captain during 2007 and another was on the Handicap and Competitions Committee who encourage fast play and letting people through.

Need I say more!

 

[Herbie]

Before finishing reading this post I KNOW what they should have done however:

Played twice over the weekend; the first time held up from the 7th by 3 Seniors', ours was a 2 ball, also 8th through until 18th where we had to wait on every hole. On the 10th they proceeded to have coffee from their flask and we had walked off the 9th and they had not even played their shot to the 10th which is a short par 3 as they had not finished their coffee!

The next day we were in a 4Ball playing Match play where putts were conceeded. Similar situation when we came to the 7th where there was a 5 BALL, REPEAT 5 BALL. We were held up again all the way round on every hole although on 2 holes twice.When we reached the 16th we came off in disgust. What made it worse was that one of the 5Ball was a Past Captain during 2007 and another was on the Handicap and Competitions Committee who encourage fast play and letting people through.

Need I say more!

Doesn't matter where you go, you will always come across golfers who talk up good golf and good etiquete, yet show absolutely ZERO concern for anyone else on the course other than thmselves and their nearest and dearest lovers (the group they are with) and worst of all are officials who do this! They deserve throwing out of golf clubs as they bring the game into disrepute but sadly they will never see it!

 

[Dodger]

Why didn't you just ask the 5 to let you through?

 

[TonyN]

Yeah why didn't you just aks to play through? Thats what I would have done. And if they said no, then I probably would of anyway when they were sipping coffee!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would have asked politely initially to play through and by the time they were drinking the coffee told them you were playing through AND reporting them.

In the case of the five ball I think the fact you were a fourball takes precedence over their 5 ball in the same way as a singleton. I know the rules have changed to state they do have standing on the course but I'm sure it also says they should concede to quicker games.

 

[toyboy54]

WTF! Just blast one straight thro them,smile,and say thanks for waving us thro,blah.blah(in other words....f..k them,how stupid can people be.or just so selfish!!!)
Sorry.these d*******s get on my t**s and should not be on a course...along with anyone who does'nt repair pitch marks)

 

[thecraw]

I would have accidently nailed one right up their backside! For 4 holes running or however long it took to get the message through.

 

[toyboy54]

Moderators............sorry for tone of last post,,,put it down to hormones..Have had a bad weekend,cost my(ex)buddythe pro prize yesterday thanks to me missing 5 gross par birdies nett stroke/points4 to lose by 4
Showed up today for tee off ..........and Jimmy no mates!!
wound up out with 2 juniors..lovely guys,hit the ball for 2 miles(barstewards) but so polite...you know,,for your age you hit that ball not bad!!!!

 

[JollysHeld1]

#1 The coffee drinkers! I'd have walked onto the tee thanked them for calling me through and played on!

#2 the 5 Ball! I'd probably have a word but only with the consent of my partners,if I was playing alone I would have just skipped a hole and walked straight through them to the next tee! informing them on the way through that I would be speaking to the secretary upon finishing and drafting a letter of complaint to the club and comittee.

JollysH1

 

[mono217]

A FIVE BALL THATS RIGHT A FIVE BALL LOL

 

[HarryMonk]

I would have smashed drives right up them until they saw I was there!

Or maybe asked politly if they fancied a shortbread to go with there coffee!

 

[Cernunnos]

As regards to the coffee drinkers I can only assume they would be waiting for me to play through & thank them by saying. "Many thanks for taking a break to allow us to play through.

As for the 5 ball, it doesn't matter who they are, any faster group has the right of way through a group like this no matter what local rulings on group sizes may be. I'd certainly want to know who'd allowed a five ball out on the course if there is only suposed to be maximums of fourballs.

Someone mentioned about firing balls up close to the healls, or through the group. Now as well as being dangerous, it is as bad etiquette wise as any form of slow play, infact imo its far worse. I know we've all been tempted on a number of occasions to do just this, but its really not done. & cannot be condoned of anyone.

If anyone starts firing balls into any group I'm in, then my reaction is to make sure they do wait; instead of inviting them through as I might otherwise have done. And I'll actually make sure pace of play is slowed down up to the 17th & then make rapid play down 17 & 18 to make the point. Especially as I'm normally a quick player, but I cannot abide bad manners & dangerous play in others. And will simply report dangerous play of a following group to club officials.

 

[Herbie]

Lot of responses indicating agressive tactics and poor etiquette too. How can anyone promote good manners yet display poor ones. Other than politely asking and being invited through, I dont think there is any option if you stay within the rules of etiquette other than accepting their action until such time as correct and appropriate action taken. Two wrongs never make a right and aggression towards such people often ends in a stalemate or the complainant ending up in hot water.Maybe such culture is the reason we have such people anyway

 

[Cernunnos]

Indeed HNJ.

Nothing worse than playing so agresively to endanger others, especially when they would have been invited through before the agresive behaviour on the next anyway.

When one of my usual groups of mates were out the other week, I called through a number of groups because a couple of my mates spent more time in the undergrowth than a platoon of Gurkas. To be honest I was getting a bit fed up with one of my mates constantly needing assistance to find his ball. Especially when he never gives me any help to find my balls. Irony of it is that our fourball wasn't playing any slower than the following 2 ball groups we let through. & we were actually held up by the 2 balls we invited through. But either way, they didn't need to ask.

I Think many of us get afraid to ask for what we are entitled to for feer of the reaction of the group infront. And here in lays the problem.

 

[Herbie]

I think you are right cernunnos.

I get as angry as hell with these people if they dont allow through when asked, or become agressive, but I dont take action on the course as its best to let it go enjoy your own game as much as poss then put a letter in to the committee.

 

[Cernunnos]

Its best to let it go really if the group following or as the followed. I'm certainly normally so easy going its unbelievable & will let a lot go. I can be simply resign myself to a long round when following those who show no sign of wishing to give way, & will normally let those through who I feel are stating to press, at least those not acting dangerously.

I will admit to instances of bad etiquette on my part in the past, especially when faced with pure bad manners on the part of others. Once had some years ago a party of buggy riders a group behind the group behind us be very rude to myself & my partner even though we were well up with the groups infront of us. I saw red that day & made sure I pressed the buggy riders when they passed through for several holes, much to the amusement of the group that had initially been following us who we specifically let through even though we didn't need to, & then let through the rude lads. Then pressed heavilly, playing iron clubs I knew good distances with to be far enough back to be safe, but audible enough in landings to show they were not quicker then either myself or my other half, I think its mostly that guys rudeness to my other half that wound me up the most. If he'd have simply asked nicely I'd have had no problems.

Two wrongs certainly do not make a right & I will not condon my actions that particular day. & would not recommend anyone do that. I'd actually recommend, patients & good will to others no matter how they behave. Maybe I've mellowed over the years, but no-one insults my missus.

 

[Parmo]

arrr the wonders of fairweather golfers...

I played with an 81 year old yesterday, he was slow and even the women behind kept the pressure on!! but it was a nice day and finished after 4 hours and i wasnt bothered in the slightest about time, just enjoying my game.

 

[DCB]

Don't worry guys, this coming week will be the worst week to be out on the course. With the annual start to a season, The Masters just having been shown on tv, anyone with a set of clubs somewhere in the house will be dusting them down and heading off to their nearest course.

The joys of post Masters golfing !

 

[DCB]

Lot of responses indicating agressive tactics and poor etiquette too. How can anyone promote good manners yet display poor ones. Other than politely asking and being invited through, I dont think there is any option if you stay within the rules of etiquette other than accepting their action until such time as correct and appropriate action taken. Two wrongs never make a right and aggression towards such people often ends in a stalemate or the complainant ending up in hot water.Maybe such culture is the reason we have such people anyway

HNJ is correct. If there are problem groups on the course it is up to the club to deal with them. Getting involved in some of the tactics described in previous posts will only bring trouble upon yourself. If someone was playing a ball into the back of my group on more than one occassion then I wouldn't be too happy ! Busy courses make for slower play. We just have to chill out and smell the flowers!

 

[Leftie]

Lot of responses indicating agressive tactics and poor etiquette too. How can anyone promote good manners yet display poor ones. Other than politely asking and being invited through, I dont think there is any option if you stay within the rules of etiquette other than accepting their action until such time as correct and appropriate action taken. Two wrongs never make a right and aggression towards such people often ends in a stalemate or the complainant ending up in hot water.Maybe such culture is the reason we have such people anyway

Completely agree with you on this one Herb

Ye gods. I must be coming down with something nasty. Better take 2 aspirins and retire to my bed.