Lucifer MorningStar
Well-known member
Is house burnt down a colour as that’s what would happen if you lit mine
Golf Licence
- Thread starter Neilds
- Start date
SteveJay
Head Pro
Definitely a German thing. You also need to pass some sort of similar test to go fishing in Germany.
Oops!
Hacker
And it still won't be read....
You should work on your attitude—it's just too negative!
Or as my father, who sadly passed away far too early, used to say:
“Don't get angry! Anger makes you ugly! Laughter makes you beautiful!
I laughed a lot in my life...!”
Oops!
Hacker
You even need a license to keep certain breeds of dog. OK, that's not too unreasonable.
However, I think it's a bit excessive that you also need a license to walk dogs from the shelter, regardless of their breed!
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Not a terrible idea but I'd remove the bit about having to play to a certain score. If it was just an etiquette thing and maybe a few general rules that would occur frequently - and maybe just something you do to join a club rather than to pay and play - then it would make sense to me.
JayB
Newbie
Oops!
Hacker
What can I say : He just nailed it ! 
BTW, I started playing golf at the course in Düsseldorf (“Lausward”)!
As I said, back then it was run by the city. There was no clubhouse, the pro shop consisted of a discarded shipping container, and the groundskeeper - he who decided who was allowed on the course and who wasn't - his wife's homemade cakes “on the side.” The atmosphere was simple and friendly: everyone was one big family.
At some point, the city handed over the operation of the course to the current club. They then built a large clubhouse with a restaurant, changing rooms, showers, and a “proper” pro shop, and since then, things have gone downhill. The atmosphere changed, people became arrogant, snobbish, and “elitist.” What a shame !
Nevertheless, the course looks simple - no water hazards, hardly any bunkers - but it's tricky : You have to be able to play very precisely, otherwise you'll be hit constantly with penalty strokes. The course is located on the floodplain of the Rhine, one of the largest rivers in Germany, and as a result, the fairways are very close together and you can quickly end up out of bounds. As I said, it looks very easy, however it's a challenge!
If you're in the area, you might give it a try!
BTW, I started playing golf at the course in Düsseldorf (“Lausward”)!
As I said, back then it was run by the city. There was no clubhouse, the pro shop consisted of a discarded shipping container, and the groundskeeper - he who decided who was allowed on the course and who wasn't
- his wife's homemade cakes “on the side.” The atmosphere was simple and friendly: everyone was one big family. At some point, the city handed over the operation of the course to the current club. They then built a large clubhouse with a restaurant, changing rooms, showers, and a “proper” pro shop, and since then, things have gone downhill. The atmosphere changed, people became arrogant, snobbish, and “elitist.” What a shame !
Nevertheless, the course looks simple - no water hazards, hardly any bunkers - but it's tricky : You have to be able to play very precisely, otherwise you'll be hit constantly with penalty strokes. The course is located on the floodplain of the Rhine, one of the largest rivers in Germany, and as a result, the fairways are very close together and you can quickly end up out of bounds. As I said, it looks very easy, however it's a challenge!
If you're in the area, you might give it a try!
GreiginFife
Money List Winner
My Father in Law spent 11 years teaching in Germany at Weinberg (later Paragon Sportakademie) in Frankfurt. He loved it there (until Paragon took over that is) and was a big fan of the Platzriefe and in giving people basic rules and etiquette lessons as well as playing ones.
IanM
Journeyman Pro
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I like the idea. You wouldn't expect to just pitch up at the local rugby club and play in the front row of the 1st XV immediately.
So why expect folk to just go out in a comp before they are "ready?" Doesn't mean clubs shouldn't give every support to help folk get ready quickly!
And by ready, I'd suggest a pass at level 1 online rules (it’s really simple) and a basic level of play. That "level of play" might be course dependent
So why expect folk to just go out in a comp before they are "ready?" Doesn't mean clubs shouldn't give every support to help folk get ready quickly!
And by ready, I'd suggest a pass at level 1 online rules (it’s really simple) and a basic level of play. That "level of play" might be course dependent
Equally, you don't expect to turn up to a golf club on day one and expect to play for the club team.I like the idea. You wouldn't expect to just pitch up at the local rugby club and play in the front row of the 1st XV immediately.
So why expect folk to just go out in a comp before they are "ready?" Doesn't mean clubs shouldn't give every support to help folk get ready quickly!
And by ready, I'd suggest a pass at level 1 online rules (it’s really simple) and a basic level of play. That "level of play" might be course dependent
To use your analogy, you would turn up to the rugby club, go to some training sessions and then start off in the 4th/5th XV. Same with with all other sports.
The German test gives you a h/c up to 54. Lots of people on here don't think that is competition ready but it is according to the test. That's about 5th team level isn't it?
RichA
Well-known member
It won't happen in the UK. It would be a backwards move towards golf appearing elitist and up itself again.
I have never witnessed anyone needing to prove their knowledge of football or cricket rules to play in formal leagues at a higher level than that of the local recreational golf club.
Football and cricket clubs I've been involved with have always welcomed newcomers with open arms and educated them about rules, etiquette and tactics as we go along.
In either of those a new to the game yoof could find themselves in the second team within a couple of weeks of joining and the first team within a month if they were useful and available.
And bearing in mind that the vast majority of amateur golf isn't in a formal competition it would be like needing a licence to kick a football around the park.
I have never witnessed anyone needing to prove their knowledge of football or cricket rules to play in formal leagues at a higher level than that of the local recreational golf club.
Football and cricket clubs I've been involved with have always welcomed newcomers with open arms and educated them about rules, etiquette and tactics as we go along.
In either of those a new to the game yoof could find themselves in the second team within a couple of weeks of joining and the first team within a month if they were useful and available.
And bearing in mind that the vast majority of amateur golf isn't in a formal competition it would be like needing a licence to kick a football around the park.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
I like the idea. You wouldn't expect to just pitch up at the local rugby club and play in the front row of the 1st XV immediately.
So why expect folk to just go out in a comp before they are "ready?" Doesn't mean clubs shouldn't give every support to help folk get ready quickly!
And by ready, I'd suggest a pass at level 1 online rules (it’s really simple) and a basic level of play. That "level of play" might be course dependent
You dont go from buying clubs to playing a comp
You still learn how to play the game first before playing the game
You don’t take a rules quiz to play rugby etc
Backache
Assistant Pro
I'm not intrinsically for or against it.
If it's low cost and provides a gentle introduction why not?
My only observation is that from the very small numbers of Germans who I've played golf with (3 that I recall) it is not a guarantee of fast or ready golf.
If it's low cost and provides a gentle introduction why not?
My only observation is that from the very small numbers of Germans who I've played golf with (3 that I recall) it is not a guarantee of fast or ready golf.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
I find it a little strange that a lot of people think it would be a barrier to people starting to play. Given that golf is often seen as stuffy and elitist with stupid, over complicated rules I think there would be a lot of potential newcomers would welcome the help that gaining the licence would give and make them feel more confident to enters competitions and get involved with the club. If a club offered group sessions to prepare, it would also integrate the newcomers into the club and make them feel more welcome instead of trying to scramble around to find playing partners, etc. If the licence also included things like how to enter a competition and use the booking/scoring computer it would be a big benefit to some.
I think it's the idea of something formal that is off putting. I suspect many clubs will already offer a buddy system or some sort of introduction to golf for a complete newbie. Womens golf has a very good 'Get into Golf' system that many clubs, including my own, do which is equivalent to this test. It is about doing it in a friendly way, not something that is off putting. The word test is immediately intimidating for some.
Lucifer MorningStar
Well-known member
That sums it up pretty well imo. The golf buddy or perhaps an academy style membership for new members where they can’t play comps for a couple of months not to restrict them but to help them during that time can play as much as they want get to understand the course, the game, pace of play and basic etiquette.
It’s an intimidating game for many and people that have been playing years often forget how nervous they were when they started and whether meaning to or not often look down on newcomers who don’t know everything straight away.
Mrs M has no idea about rules , she knows she likes hitting the ball and being out on the course. At the moment she won’t play with anyone but me a) because of nerves when others are watching her she feels intimidated especially when it’s middle age men staring at her like she needs to hurry up, b) she wants to have a better understanding of the game and its rules before she plays with others, c) wants to improve enough that she feels she won’t embarrass herself or feel intimidated in future.
Whatever clubs need to do they need to be welcoming, understanding and helping people new to game learn and understand its nuances after all it’s got so many bloody rules you can’t expect everyone to know them all. The last thing newcomers need is more pressure and people pulling them in a way that makes them not want to come back.
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Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
My wife was the same when she started, even tried us both sitting with drinks just watching players on the first tee to show her some of the horror shows from ppl who've been playing a while (we've all had a mare off the 1st at some point) That didn't have the effect I hoped for she just thought when it was her up there... other folks would be sitting with drinks watching her
RichA
Well-known member
I was new to golf club membership and formal golf in 2020.
I only became aware of the stupid, overcomplicated rules when experienced golfers I was playing with brought them up to use them to their advantage or my disadvantage. It was then that I started reading the Rules of Golf every time some little scenario cropped up and realised that the majority of those experienced golfers didn't know the rules at all.
I might be in favour of a test for anyone who has been playing golf for 20+ years and thinks they know the rules.
Lucifer MorningStar
Well-known member
Well that back fired didn’t itMy wife was the same when she started, even tried us both sitting with drinks just watching players on the first tee to show her some of the horror shows from ppl who've been playing a while (we've all had a mare off the 1st at some point) That didn't have the effect I hoped for she just thought when it was her up there... other folks would be sitting with drinks watching her
Last time we went out it help there were quite few other ladies playing with their partners who she could see were not better or worse than her. She realised well if they play like that and they’ve been playing a while she hasn’t got much to worry about. Then proceeded to get annoyed at herself for hitting a bad shot
Oops!
Hacker
I Like the idea of a „Golf Buddy“ - I wish I had one here at the club where I‘ve startete to play, even if it would be to show me the course : Where to go next after finishing a hole, what‘s the fairway layout etc. ! 
I think golf in Germany is still considered a “sport of the upper class,” i.e., people with (a lot of) money. I may be wrong, however I get the impression that this is not (as much) the case in the UK and the US - what do you think?
And I think it makes a (big!) difference whether it's “old money,” the nouveau riche, or wannabes.
“Old money” was and is not a problem: you have money, however you don't talk about it. The only problems are caused by the nouveau riche and the wannabes, and the latter in particular not only like to turn up their noses, they also like to let others know that they think they are better than them.
And many who, like me, “just want to play golf” don't play in tournaments either - simply because they “just want to play golf”!
I think golf in Germany is still considered a “sport of the upper class,” i.e., people with (a lot of) money. I may be wrong, however I get the impression that this is not (as much) the case in the UK and the US - what do you think?
And I think it makes a (big!) difference whether it's “old money,” the nouveau riche, or wannabes.
“Old money” was and is not a problem: you have money, however you don't talk about it. The only problems are caused by the nouveau riche and the wannabes, and the latter in particular not only like to turn up their noses, they also like to let others know that they think they are better than them.
And many who, like me, “just want to play golf” don't play in tournaments either - simply because they “just want to play golf”!
