First round of 2009.

[ademac]

Played my first round of 2009 today at Badgemore park, Henley-on-thames. Not sure if I enjoyed it or not to be honest! On the plus side, It was a beautiful day and I had great company. On the negative side, I played the worst golf I've played in a long time and we got a bit of grief from some other players, which I've never experienced before.
I was contemplating joining said club but it's a definite NO now! :I'll explain:

As we tee'd off on the tenth,( which runs alongside a practice area) there was a bloke having a lesson with a young pro on his driving. We all tee'd off and started walking towards our balls. We looked over and saw that the guy was going to wait for us to get out of sight before he hit another ball. we had walked about 150 yds when we heard "whack" and "FORE". I duck my head and saw the ball land about 30 yds in front of me 5 yards away from my friend! I could not believe what he had just done! Only an IDIOT would drive a ball down a shared fairway when there are four people easily in range! I'd like to say that I was calm and had a quiet word, but I wasn't! I then had the hump for about 3 holes!
Then when we were playing the 14th a guy came strolling over, with a nasty, snobby attitude and said that we had to hurry up because we were holding up the group that were holding up the group that were holding his group up. The group behind us only caught us up on the 12th and when I asked them if they wanted to play through, they said "no" and they were happy with they pace we were going!

I'd like to say that I was calm, but I wasn't! In fact, I told him to f%%k off!

I know that I was wrong and I'm really not an aggressive bloke, but what are you supposed to do when someone is as rude as that!

BTW, the round took us, as a fourball, 3hr 50 mins.

As I said, not sure wether I enjoyed it or not? At least it didn't rain!

 

[flandango]

I agree with you mate. If the group behing you aren't waiting and your not holding anyone up I to would have also told him to F#CK OFF and chace him off the fairway with my kicking ass iron!

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Don't let that guy spoil your round mate there's always one who thinks he owns the course. You probably shouldn't of swore at him but you cant let people speak to you like crap.

If the course was right for you, i would join and make a point of speaking to him and put him straight.


BTW 3hrs 50mins for a 4ball how many times did you all stop for a drink and a chat?

 

[ademac]

BTW 3hrs 50mins for a 4ball how many times did you all stop for a drink and a chat?

I didn't think that was too bad to be fair.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

BTW 3hrs 50mins for a 4ball how many times did you all stop for a drink and a chat?

I didn't think that was too bad to be fair.

Haha was only jestin mate not a bad time at all

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I quite like Badgemore. Ascot plays them in a friendly match home and away each year and the guys they have sent over or who have been picked for their home game have all been pretty decent guys.

I had a similar experience at Temple just after Christmas where we were told to hurry up as we were holding up the whole course even though the group complaining hadn't even reached the green and we were already down the next fairway. The ninth at Temple is right by the 8th green with HUGE signs saying do not play until the tee is clear. What did the group do? Tee off and one flew it straight over our heads. Words were exchanged. Sadly I think it boils down to members thinking they have some sort of extra rights over green fees merely because they are members.

I like Badgemore as a course and as I said the guys I've met are good. I'd make some polite enquiries about membership but make a note of mentioning it to the committee or captain if you get an interview. I'd also check out things like the monthly competitions to make sure they are drawn so you can get a game easily and start to get your face known.

 

[rgs]

Played my first round of 9 yesterday-Weekly S/ford competition.
Had not played since the beginning of December--Drove reasonably well, iron play ok, short game a bit off and pace putt left a lot to be desired.

Happy enough at the end with 31 pts and only one blob, which came on a par 5. Par 5's were my main problem as i only scored 4pts on the four par 5's.

 

[HTL]

3hour 50min is OK mate, dont worry about it, you get bell ends like that at all clubs.

Dont practise too much before our round!

 

[theeaglehunter]

Its strange that a number of people have had similar occurrences on the course post christmas- maybe with the hard times people are venting their general life anger on the golf course by being intolerable prats, to put it politely. I would just forget about it to be honest.

I wouldn't want to join said club anyway if the practice ground is one of the fairways, doesn't sound like the facilities are very good at all.

 

[andiritchie]

Dont you just love a******* like that thinking they own the place.

I played my first round of 09 yesterday well 11 holes in the afternoon,did alright,new driver working well which gave me a chance to hit both par 5s in 2,good around the greens but not so good on them.

Just nice to get out for a hour or so

 

[HomerJSimpson]

To be fair practice grounds sharing fairways is pretty common. At Wimbledon Common the practice area WAS the 2nd fairway and you used an area to the right hand side where the rough from the tee met the fairway which was protected by trees. It meant in theory you could be seen as players exited the 1st and knew you were there. The downside would be that people would drive (or hit their 2nd) and unless the practice balls were marked it would take an age to find the right ball. Not the most thought out practice area but as it was commonland it was all that was available.

 

[ademac]

I quite like Badgemore.

I did like the course, although not the best I've played tbh. Lot of blind tee shots made it tough! The par 3's were dull & uninspiring. I think to be fair, I'm being a bit biased because I played so crap! I may give it another go and I'm sure it will be a better day!

 

[theeaglehunter]

I will take your word for it then Homer. In my limited golfing experience I have always played at places where there is a separate practice ground, plus I am pretty spoilt with the practice area at my club where there is an area large enough for 10 people to comfortably practice without interference with one another in terms of the width and collecting their balls and also it is nearly 300 yards long. In addition to the range where people can save themselves the hassle of collecting their own balls. There is also a large practice green of 'course' standard with bunkers surrounding and the ability to play 40-50 yard pitches into it if you so wish.

I guess I am a little misguided then in terms of my perceptions. It definitely makes sense I suppose with space issues on courses that fairways would have to be shared- it just wouldn't appeal to me in the slightest! I have obviously been spoilt during the 2 years I have played the game and with my first club that I joined a year ago s facilities.

 

[ademac]

It definitely makes sense I suppose with space issues on courses that fairways would have to be shared- it just wouldn't appeal to me in the slightest!

It doesn't appeal to me either. If I'm going to be splashing out close to a bag of sand then I want it to be pretty much perfect! Or am I being too fussy?

 

[theeaglehunter]

No I don't think you are being too fussy. I am sure you can find better practice facilities in the area for the money, although it depends on what the going rate is in the area. I would expect more for my cash though. Do you know of any courses that have good facilities and a decent course near by? I am guessing they are quite a bit more expensive if such a place exists?

My course has very good facilities and full adult membership is £1000 so if you are going to be paying near that you should be looking for facilities like what I mentioned.

 

[ademac]

I think you're right Eaglehunter. I think the price is high is because its in Henley-on-thames, If you know the place then you'll know what I mean.

 

[Herbie]

Although you may experience this anywhere you play, if you experience a number of similar cases in one round or a short number of visits,you have likely stumbled on a club that has that attitude entrenched in a significant number of members.

I have been a member at a significant number of clubs to know that members behavior and attitude can be addictive to some, often a charactor flaw in my view, but it has been clear to me over the years.

Some clubs I have been a member of have had a great membership of decent people, some clubs have had a very significant number of complete a******s who seem so frustrated with the chore of breathing each day that it makes them trouble causing, aggressive w*****s. It only takes a significant number to ruin a membership. I have been a member of some very noted clubs in the past as well as the not so noted, the quality of club and course had little to do with members attitude. You only need a handful of a*****es joining and possibly gaining support from the gullable, the naive or the weak and it can ruin peoples pleasure, Ive seen it happen from scratch.

Its possible you may have just visited such a club, or it may have been a one off, its worth treading carefully before joining such a place though, nothing worse than expectation of misery caused by a third party ruining your game and wasting your investment. But please please make sure of the feel one way or another as it could quite possibly be just a one off bad day comming across a couple of dick heads, so give it a second chance and try chat to others there about your unfortunate experience.If its still negative feel then, kick it into touch.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I don't know it mate but get your drift- some places just exude affluence and obviously prices of services in the area (such as golf courses) are inflated as a result.

Good luck in your club hunting though!

 

[ademac]

Making sense there Herb.

I'll give it another go and speak to the pro, who seemed ok, and hopefully I'll enjoy it. although, I've never been a member of a club before and I do want the best for my money and the facilities don't seem great so I think maybe my mind is made up!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How long did it take you to get to Badgemore. Are there no clubs in Oxford (excluding the Oxfordshire) which would offer the quality of facilities you are after and at a reasonable price.

I agree with your comments regarding Badgemore and the kudos attached to the name of Henley. Sadly Ascot suffers from the same stigma and although expensive it offers a realistic alternative to its neighbours (Mill Ride, Swinley, The Berkshire)