Golf stereotypes

[WlliamFarrington]

Last week, I was playing a round of golf, when Me, and my friend, noticed that a fourball of retired golfers had cut 2 holes in front of us, on the 8th tee. We soon caught them up, as we had 2 less players than them, and to our surprise, They wouldn't call us through. We had to wait 10 minutes on the fairway of one hole for them to finish on the green! Even when I found one of the players balls, he did not have the common decency to thank me. Youths and juniors are stereotyped by many elderly golfers as being less important, and therefore, become ignorant of basic etiquette they should use towards us. They have to realise, that we are all golfers alike.

- William Farrington (junior golfer)

 

[leaney]

Agreed mate.

For some reason the older generation have a massive issue with the younger generation. Not just in golf but in general.

I live in Worthing and it's full of old people and their attitude is terrible.

In most cases, the younger people are very repspectful to them. But it is almost certainly never the other way round.

 

[WlliamFarrington]

that's exactly what I mean. Something has got to change!

 

[Curls]

Hi William and welcome along,

Regardless of your age or theirs this is just terrible etiquette. We've all experienced this sort of thing, and it doesn't stop when you get a bit older, the only thing that may change is that you get surer of yourself and have the confidence to say to them:

"excuse me lads but we noticed you cut through and we've caught you up, I think as there's 2 of us and 4 of you it might be appropriate if you let us through".

That's the polite version. I know you're probably a bit young to think you can say this to older guys, but you can and should. THATS the only thing can will change. You'll find most people sheepishly say "okay" as they know they've been rumbled doing something they shouldn't. If this came to it and there was a dispute in the clubhouse, as a group who cut ahead they have no right whatsoever (let alone as a 4 ahead of a 2).

Unfortunately SOME members and/or older players seem to think they have a divine right to their course and green fees/younger players are a second-class citizen nuisance. Other old boys are great to encourage youngsters, usually as they have to foresight to see that you are the future of the club.

If every golfer understood how and when to let people through the entire field would get around much quicker, but they don't. If guys are holding you up and not looking like they're going to let you through you have the right to ask, you shouldn't have to, but if they're being ignorant to you then what do you care about bothering them? You and your buddy would have been out of sight in 2 minutes, terrible form out of the old boys. Its happened to me loads of times as a junior, and now I've come back to the game and learned to open my mouth it doesn't happen any more.

 

[WlliamFarrington]

thanks for the advice. I will be sure to talk to them next time I am held up

 

[Curls]

thanks for the advice. I will be sure to talk to them next time I am held up

No worries, the trick is to not be rude or give them any grounds for recourse, they are in the wrong, keep it that way. Be overly-nice if you can stomach it

There are times it won't work, they'll just say they're being held up to etc etc, but more often than not theres a grumble, you're through and 3 minutes later the whole things forgotten about as you're long gone. Its not as big a deal as you can make it, and by staying behind them getting more frustrated it starts affecting your game, which is unfair as you have every right to enjoy yourself out there.

One more piece of advice, when you do get to play through don't get all nervous and muck up your tee shot, what I like to do is think about showing the folk you're getting through why they should let you through, and split the fairway.

Step up, take your time, and play confidently, dont rush through nervously, there's nothing to be nervous about.

 

[Leftie]

Welcome to the Forum William.

I agree with other replies where this group's etiquette was inexcusable and that you should have politely asked to be let through. You had the perfect opportunity when finding their lost ball.

Be careful with stereotyping people though. I am one of these elderly retired old farts that you are talking about and I hope I do not fit your views of older people.

You will find "Golfers" of all ages can be total knobs on the course.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Be careful with stereotyping people though. I am one of these elderly retired old farts that you are talking about and I hope I do not fit your views of older people.

You're right, he hasn't met you.

But, once he has, you will.

 

[daymond]

I too like Leftie am a senior. Trust me it's the same with two seniors trying to get through a slow four ball of seniors. It is not a generation thing.
If you ask a slow group in front thus " Would it be alright if we could go through" 90% of the time they will let you do so. If you get a rude reply you have every right to respond with a bit of the verbals.
Remember like lots of motorists there are golfers who never look in their rear view mirrors!

 

[richart]

Be careful with stereotyping people though. I am one of these elderly retired old farts that you are talking about and I hope I do not fit your views of older people.

You will find "Golfers" of all ages can be total knobs on the course.

Just make sure you keep up at Hankley old timer, and don't hold up youngsters like Smiffy.

 

[kmdmr1]

Daymond,dont think the dispute is about a group of seniors not allowing these 2 young lads through,its more about the 4 senior players,who should have known better..pushing in on the course 2 holes ahead and then slowing the lads down and then not allowing them to play through.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think the attitude of the group cutting in stinks irrespective of their age. We have a lot of seniors at our place and a lot of them will do the decent thing but there are some that would sooner pluck their eyes out with a rusty nail than acknoweldge you on the course let alone allow you through. On the whole though I don't think its fair to tarnish the older generation on the basis of a few idiots in the same way that a lot of juniors get a hard time based on the minority mucking about and ignoring etiquette on course

 

[chrisd]

I am one of these elderly retired old farts that you are talking about and I hope I do not fit your views of older people.

elderly mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm very !

Fart mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm often !

Sorry .. welcome William



Chris

 

[palindromicbob]

Sods law states that the moment you play thru a slow group you'll shank you next 3 shots and look like a tit. Does for me anyway

I know what you are talking about though. I once saw a junior (about 13) out on his own. Bless him he 6 putted. While he was putting a pair of seniors tee'd off. The kid was going to the next tee box and one of the seniors marched up to him and lectured him for "practicing" on the greens while a group was coming behind. That moment I remembered why I had never really played as a juvenile.

Next time go up and a junior is going out at around the same time as me I'll ask him to join me. I can then help try and keep him right on the etiquette of the game and some basic rules.

I do think clubs should have a mentoring system in place for junior and novice adults.

 

[Mark_G]

Welcome William, I agree with most of whats been said previously, but poor behaviour by other people on the golf course does not require you to behave badly, so don't lower your high standards just because you have been treated poorly, and remember that many members of golf clubs are justifiably very proud of young players conduct. I know, that I am, of our young players.

 

[CMAC]

shame that happened but unfortunately its been happening since before you were born, I know because I WAS that junior (this could be a good country and western song)
I was lectured by old codgers for practicing on the course
I was reported by old codgers for practicing on the course
I was never let thru a 3 or 4 ball by old codgers etc etc

put me off golf for a few years until I let my golf do the talking
try not to let it get to you, many of them are actually quite bitter that youngsters play but they will play less and you will play more as the years go on

enjoy YOUR golf William and ignore them, for they know not what they do