Fair weather golfers & the clueless.

[Parmo]

As this is my first approach to a new season as a golfer, and one that has played wind, rain, snow and hale I can not help myself with feelings of anger towards fair weather golfers & hackers (my definition of hacker is someone who has no idea of etiquette or how to play except turn up with 10 year old clubs and a four pack in summer months). The reason being is that I have such a love for the game that the only thing that could stop me playing on a Saturday morning would be HID with certain a type of blackmail!!

I am not saying these people do not love the game, but they invade our land in the summer months looking for a great course that the club and members have looked after throughout the rest of the year, they leave divots, pitch marks (not just them but the letter in GM has given me a cunning plan) and tee markers full of beer cans. I think the worst of all is the fact that they slow play down, yes its nice to spend more time on the course but not 10-15mins per hole waiting for some plonka to drive just past the women's tees as I imagine it will be.

As experienced golfers I ask you this, does this anger leave? Does the fair weather golfer or hacker bring any benefits to the course (except cash)? Will I end up by mid July dreaming of a quite winter course?

 

[viscount17]

Parmo, I think you are forever destined to the loneliness(quietude) of the dawn tee.

 

[medwayjon]

I will play in rain and wind to a certain degree, however there is no chance if it is pissing down like a monsoon or blowing a gale.

I can't see the enjoyment in playing off of mushy fairways and on temporary greens so for me, if the conditions are that bad, I don't go out.

As for the hackers, yes there are those that cannot be avoided, particularly on p&p courses. This is why I joined a members club as I can guarantee that I won't get stuck behind a group of beer swilling louts with no talent for the game whatsoever.

 

[GB72]

Agreed, the move to a private members club has been a good one for me as well. The only people allowed on the course at weekends are members and their guests. Not only is the course quieter and the etiquette good, the members seem more willing to enjoy their round whatever the pace so I do not get drives flying past my left ear when on the fairway or groups running to the tee to try and get past.

 

[EchtLoon]

I can't see the enjoyment in playing off of mushy fairways and on temporary greens so for me, if the conditions are that bad, I don't go out.

I used to be a year round golfer both in Scotland and the Isle of Man, how ironic now that having to play Muni golf in England, I have become a April - Sept only player becuase the courses are unplayable.

Card in hand I'll play in any weather, bounce game has to be dry, or at least look like it'll be dry all the way round. It's meant to be fun, I get a buzz from competing, but there's no fun traipsing round getting soaked through just for the sake of swinging the club in a friendly game. Go to the range if you must.

Don't know why this makes you so angry?

 

[Parmo]

Yep dawn golf is the way forward, I am thinking of joining a club next year once I get my hcp down to 10-15 its 20 at the moment but I have been shooting in the 80s the last few rounds so the change from municipal to club shouldnt be to long.

 

[forefortheday]

What annoys me about summer golfers is that when I try to book a tee time at a course I've played all over winter they get the same treatment in terms of tee time.

I'm not a member of any course but some kind of loyalty system should be put in place!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Sadly it is becoming the preserve of the private club if you want a quiet and relaxing round in high summer. If I go to the range at our local pay and play there is always at least three fourballs waiting to go off. YOu see the 10th and it is rammed (I'm sure some of those are people who can't be asked to queue at the 1st).

The range will be full of snotty teenagers trying to hit over the net onto the road or p****d up chavs trying to hit a bucket in record time and as far as possible with a battered Donnay driver. They infrequently hit the side wall and their best drive will be about 100 yards.

Meanwhile back on the course you will get Mr Summer Hacker and his mate zig zagging down the fairway like the red arrows as tehir mates stand on the tee, Stella in one hand, fag in mouth and shouting down to their mates now playing six to the green.

A group of decent and normal golfers will turn up and even though it is painfully obvious they are holding everyone up they summer golfer will blankly refuse to let the good guys through. Point out that it is good ettiquette and in the rules and you may be threatened with serious consequences. Ah the five hour round on a summer day. Don't you love them

This is quite obviously a huge generalisation and many pay and plays do offer a good service in summer with course wardens keeping an eye on play and players or attracting those purely there for the golf. However these problem courses do exist.

I am fortunate that I can afford to play at a private club. I know many on here enjoy the nomadic existence of not being tied to one course and that is their right and privilege but it isn't something I enjoy

 

[billyg]

What annoys me about summer golfers is that when I try to book a tee time at a course I've played all over winter they get the same treatment in terms of tee time.

I'm not a member of any course but some kind of loyalty system should be put in place!

There's your answer then - members loyalty through the pocket is rewarded with preferencial booking slots or slots closed to all but members at key times. Pay and play does just what it says on the tin.

Ive done my muni-time on a dusty summers' Saturday afternoon with the full back catalogue of JJB sports, Ratners and Threshers goods on display. It was in the early 90's though before a polite request to be let through was grounds for a good kicking followed a writ siting subjugation of human rights as it seems now.

I'm not for one slating the muni's in the main and many are fine .The ones i'm thinking of were mainly in Eastenders territory. You quite literally pays ya money and takes ya choice.

 

[Gazzery]

I spose if i am honest i am a fair weather golfer Feb>>> Oct, but no way am i a hacker, but i get your point it is annoying to be behind the 3 guy's who just got a bag of clubs from last weeks car boot sale, spend 3 min trying to balance the ball on a tee and another 10 getting out of range so you may be able to start thinking about your 1st shot, but i have come to accept this will be some days, and know the peak times to avoid them.

PS by the way drinks all round for you guys i got my handicap cut by 1 today 27 and coming down watch out Tiger

 

[backwoodsman]

Have said before - there does seem to be a general vehemence in the forum about certain "sorts" on golf courses. Yes, there are those who are pretty cr*p and very slow - but where have you all see the beer swilling groups. I generally play at pay & play and can't ever recall seeing a beer can on a course. Maybe I'm just lucky...

 

[stevo]

One of the reasons i have joined a private members club is so i can play all year round on a very well maintained course.The members make sure the course is well respected,which is a benefit to everyone

 

[ball_basher]

im a member of a private club which is also used as a pay and play , and i must say they deffo over play in the winter and summer , the course has got great drainage which means its busy in the winter when the other courses are too wet ,also seen a few beer cans just thrown on the fairway ,

i get out as early as possible now even been on the first tee at 4.30 am with my brother .

 

[grumpyjock]

In the 60's lived just off the 12 tee at a municipal course in scotland. We had our fair share of s**t heads but for the most it was quiet. Have more problems now on the course and in the driving range with younglings shouting to their mates about how far they have hit it. Normally 50-100yds and always off to the right (slice of lemon everyone).
Just say to them "leave the playground at Home " never have any cheek back. It should be up to the parents to tell them how to behave I do with my grandkids.
Where I am now a member is a local muni and yes we do get the local come on we can hire a couple of clubs and have a bash yobs, but a bit of constructive advice always brings them back to earth.
Remember its only a game.