Etiquette

[HankMarvin]

Education and sanctions.

As with rules if etiquette isn't followed after education then sanctions to people are applied. If people can't look after the golf course they shouldn't be using the golf course

A good starting point would be to prevent anyone with a higher handicap than 18 on the course. Cant understand why anyone would want to spend money buying golf clubs and paying a membership would want to do so when its clear they cant play the game.

 

[TheJezster]

A good starting point would be to prevent anyone with a higher handicap than 18 on the course. Cant understand why anyone would want to spend money buying golf clubs and paying a membership would want to do so when its clear they cant play the game.

Yea, lets kill the game and pretty much close down every golf course in the land! That'll teach em... :-D

Coming back to normality, perhaps clubs could print off some small sheets with "Do's & Dont's" of the course to keep it simple. Any new member gets one in their joining pack and induction meeting and all existing members are emailed it and also handed one out by the pro. Could even make every member sign to show they've read it (this could easily be done at the pro shop)

Just a thought, and gotta be better than shutting down all golf clubs!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

A good starting point would be to prevent anyone with a higher handicap than 18 on the course. Cant understand why anyone would want to spend money buying golf clubs and paying a membership would want to do so when its clear they cant play the game.

Sorry but that's utter total nonsense but not surprising coming from yourself

HC has nothing to do with the etiquette side of the game so please stop turning this thread into another vehicle for you to slag off over 60% of the golfing community

Your arrogance and attitude towards high HC is quite poor tbh

 

[Hacker Khan]

Education and sanctions.

As with rules if etiquette isn't followed after education then sanctions to people are applied. If people can't look after the golf course they shouldn't be using the golf course

But how do you educate golfers then?

 

[Hacker Khan]

A good starting point would be to prevent anyone with a higher handicap than 18 on the course. Cant understand why anyone would want to spend money buying golf clubs and paying a membership would want to do so when its clear they cant play the game.

And welcome back to the troll. How's the 3 billy goats gruff nowadays?

But speaking as a high handicapper I thoroughly agree with you, so much so that I get disgusted by the sight of myself playing golf. I have absolutely no sense of self respect. And you know the worst thing, I often don't even consider the hurt and distress I am causing to those golfers who, like yourself, are better than me and should really have the course to themselves. I am so sorry, please don't judge me.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

But how do you educate golfers then?

Communication

Social media , e mails , notices , speaking directly to the members, newsletters , notices on scorecards , thought that would be pretty self explanatory

 

[Slab]

I have a problem with the educate/sanction approach

Educate is fine but to then move to sanctions for non-compliance seems a bit 'military'

I'd think the best thing is to find out why there's still non compliance and address that issue long before sanctions get rolled out

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

have seen a fair bit of this from long-standing members since I joined our place in November. Fairway protection has been in place since November, and the rule is you have to move your ball outside red lines which have been painted on either side of the fairway, but I have seen this ignored by quite a few players of a certain age.

Also, until a couple of weeks ago, there was a trolley ban in place, and you could only use one if you had a medical certificate. However I would regularly see at least 3 players in 4 balls with trolleys.

Me and my mate who joined at the same time are new to the game, and try to follow the rules, but sometimes you think what's the point, when you see other folk flouting them.

Just you keep doing what you know to be the 'right thing' and don't build up resentments over those who don't. You can but quietly and calmly point out their lapses - but only they can change their behaviour.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I have a problem with the educate/sanction approach

Educate is fine but to then move to sanctions for non-compliance seems a bit 'military'

I'd think the best thing is to find out why there's still non compliance and address that issue long before sanctions get rolled out

A lot of the issues will down to ignorance and arrogance IMO

If people don't comply then do we continue to let them mis treat the course ? Why should people who do treat the course respectfully have to suffer because others can't.

If people can't be educated then they shouldn't be allowed near the course - the opportunity is there.

 

[Capella]

The problem is that behaviour like that (or rather lack thereof) is very contagious. If one player does not rake the bunker, the next player landing in it will very likely not rake it either, because it already looked a mess when his ball hit it and so forth. It is a bit like graphitti spraying ... a pristine white wall can stay like that for years, but as soon as the first sprayer taggs it, it is going to be totally covered in paint in a matter of days.

 

[fundy]

Education and sanctions.

As with rules if etiquette isn't followed after education then sanctions to people are applied. If people can't look after the golf course they shouldn't be using the golf course

sorry im confused phil, an hour with the pro and a small test is putting barriers in play but this isnt?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

sorry im confused phil, an hour with the pro and a small test is putting barriers in play but this isnt?

Its putting a barrier in for the protection and respect of the golf course - if you can't treat the golf course with respect why should you be able to use it.

Ensuring people don't play unless they pass a test on rules ? What does that protect ?

 

[Old Skier]

At ours and many clubs around here (I can only assume it's the same country wide) juniors go through lessons on Etiquette and playing, it's a shame that for some it's not just juniors that go through this.

 

[Leereed]

Makes it sound like we asking people to go to the moon and back. It's easy you go in a bunker rake it, you take a divot replace it, make a pitch mark repair it.I bet they would not take divots out of there front lawn and leave it.

 

[Scott W]

From my POV

For my lad who is starting out, I take out and drill him on etiquette (in a nice way!) like, make sure you leave bag near next tee, ready to play etc.

For longer standing players...at my club I suspect I would be gently reminded by playing partners

We are fortunate to have limited # of societies

 

[fundy]

Its putting a barrier in for the protection and respect of the golf course - if you can't treat the golf course with respect why should you be able to use it.

Ensuring people don't play unless they pass a test on rules ? What does that protect ?

as i said it was for rules and etiquette, if you teach people up front then maybe you wont have to ban them further down the line!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

as i said it was for rules and etiquette, if you teach people up front then maybe you wont have to ban them further down the line!

It's not just new people playing the game - this is mainly from what I can see guys that have been playing a long time

 

[Fish]

Communication

Social media , e mails , notices , speaking directly to the members, newsletters , notices on scorecards , thought that would be pretty self explanatory

I disagree, those not interested to learn or be re-educated, simply won't, and that will be the large majority and especially those that have played for many years and been members for many years, many of those won't like being told what they THINK they already know and will take great offence being told, probably lead to some members actually leaving if they felt strong enough about it, club politics is how they'll think about it!

I'm sure there are plenty of notices/posters around many clubs already regarding divots, pitch marks etc, social media and emails is a waste of time where seniors (majority of club members) are concerned, a note on a scorecard is no different to an advert, it will get glanced at but then dismissed into the pocket!

The only way to educate people is directly by introducing a test of sorts and keeping a record, it's obviously easier to do with new members and could be part of the joining process, if they want to play the course and join the club, they have to abide by the joining criteria and that covers looking after the course at all times and as such understanding what is required from the membership in doing so, getting that over and introducing such a new scheme to existing members is obviously more difficult and is why notices, emails etc won't work, it has to be direct in small lesson style groups or it won't work IMO.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

So how do you test someone on their ettiquete when they have been playing for decades already ?

Send out multi choice exams ? Ask them questions

Adding in tests does nothing - someone could just adhere to etiquette to pass and test then not bother the next time and subsequent times they play - what has that achieved

And telling people the age of 50 upwards - sorry you can't play until you pass this test. They would be out the door and going to the next club.

Every golfer has their own personally responsibility to play the game within the rules and etiquette of the game - golf is self governing from the top level down and is based on trust and maturity and respect - if people break that trust and respect then action must be taken

But adding in tests adds nothing but another hoop for someone to jump through just to play a game of golf.

I don't know where this fascination with tests has come from but thankfully they are left in school

The jncrease in commjncitation and social media has proved a big success at our club and that's the avenue myself and the golf director will use - it worked with trolley and buggy use

 

[Fish]

BUT over the last 3 weeks I have seen more and more ignorant people on the golf course failing to abide by the most basic of etiquette - this morning alone people shouting and chatting whilst people playing shots , bunkers full of footprints , greens covered in pitch marks and a lot of the time it's from golfers who have been around and playing for a long time

Well IMO people should have a basic grasp of course etiquette before being allowed to play any round of golf

I don't know where this fascination with tests has come from but thankfully they are left in school

The jncrease in commjncitation and social media has proved a big success at our club and that's the avenue myself and the golf director will use

Everyone you ask about etiquette will say they comply, they will all say they do this that and the other already, but the simple fact of the matter is, a lot don't, hence your OP and disgruntled rant about your own club members, but to think those attitudes will change just with a few emails and social media messages aimed towards them, I think is very naive.

If people are like that and they know they should be repairing pitch marks and they know they should be replacing divots and they know shouldn't be talking etc, then for me they'll not take any notice of any emails or social media messages, they have personal (ignorant) issues and you need to confront them with them and ask them why they CHOOSE not to help and support the course they play on by not displaying any etiquette on it or towards it, then and only then will you come to understand any reasons for their behaviour and only then can you address it, emails & social media is gattling gun marketing, it will hit some targets but not the majority and so the problems will carry on.

People need to be able to report fellow members that they see not adhering to basic etiquette consistently without fear of reprisals, especially if they cannot address the issues directly to them personally when playing for fear of confrontation.

This is why your club, if it's as big an issue as stated in your OP, which thankfully it isn't at my club, need to show they are serious about it, emails and social media messages is not addressing it to the seriousness it requires, IMO of course.