I Know it is Tradition but it is Still Annoying

[GB72]

It was pretty cold this morning and there was a fair queue on the first tee. I was with 5 others teeing off as two 3 balls. We had been standing around for half an hour or more waiting our turn and were just about to walk on to the first tee when the captain walks up in a mixed four ball. 'Sorry gents, we have time constraints today in our group so we are going to tee off next, we will try not to hold you up on the way round'. Now do not get me wrong, our captain is a decent chap but he has walked up, used his privelege to play a larger group ahead of our 3 balls and a number of smaller groups behind us who have all been waiting in the cold for some time in a mixed 4 ball (which is the slowest type of group on our course due to the position of some of the ladies tees) and also basically informed that we are not going to be playing through them either.

Now I know that it is a long held tradition that the captain can jump the queue (though I have never seen it applied before) and I am a person who likes to uphold tradition and I know he had time issues (as did 2 members of our group who are sports teachers who had to be at school rugby matches in the afternoon but that was brished aside when mentioned) but it still really annoyed me.

I am ready to take the flak from those who say that the captain works hard for the club and deserves some traditional priveleges but that does not make it any less frustrating when you have been out in the cold for half an our to have someone come out of the warm club house and jump to the front of the queue.

 

[Bobirdie]

it a pain i know,but if you make an issue of it you will be largley out numbered,by all the ppl who suck up the captains ass lol

 

[GB72]

I have no intention of making an issue of it as the captain is fully within his rights to do what he did and could do it every week if the wanted. Just needed to have a bit of a vent as it just left a bitter taste in my mouth.

 

[Bobirdie]

i dont blame you

 

[stevek1969]

He's only the Captain not the bloody Lord Mayor he get told where to go if he tried that nonsense with us,thats the thing about golf clubs at times where these guys think they can do what they want,they pay there fee's the same as us so we should have the same rights

 

[rosecott]

A tee booking system needed?

 

[connor]

i never heard of this rule/tradition... hmmmm seems a bit dated i would also be annoyed if i had waited like your self in the cold for so long. Do you not have specific tee time slots at your club?

the other week a group of 20+ arrived early and tee'd off but was told soon as me and me dad arrived for our slot they had to let us go as they was all meant to be after us. Much to there credit they did and also kept inviting us through but we was happy to play behind them as was in no rush.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say Captains at our place would get pretty short shrift if they tried that at my place. I'm all for honouring and respecting the position but I'm glad we don't have such a daft rule. What's to stop him rocking up halfway through the monthly medal because he can't be bothered to wait for everyone to tee off.

 

[davek]

I agree why should he jump in, tee booking system required!!

 

[GB72]

A tee booking system needed?

I know of another club in the area that has a tee booking system but the captain retains the right to tee off straight away.

 

[bladeplayer]

i know you say he is a decent bloke , but surely a decent bloke would have walked up by himself , explained his situation & asked would it be ok to play next , he may be captain but manners & etiquette cost nothing , if he is as sound as you say nobody would have minded & he would have got the same result without all that "im the captain" craic .. as for the captain doing alot of work & stuff he could have not accepted his nomination for captainsy , its not forced on him , proper people in charge set good example all around the course & in the clubhouse , we are blessed our captain is one of the most decent guys ever & would never do that whether he was allowed to or not ..

 

[Crow]

Taking his privileges too far in my opinion, as blade says, a polite request was what was needed.

At our place the Captain has privilege on tee booking and can book before the booking becomes open to everybody else, which is fine in my view.

 

[Wayman]

i know its a rule at my club but never seen a captain do it
although when i was a younger junior people would just walk up on tee and say "your a junior you have no standing on 1st and 10th" so basically telling me im not getting off next.
havnt had a problem with that for a few year now after a little arguement kicked off

 

[sweatysock41]

It's also in our club rules - the captain has privilege on the course but most of the time they don't even bother. Usually its a case of carry on guys I'm not in a rush.

 

[chrisd]

The Captain has the right at our Club and certainly many have used it without any issues. It goes with the position and we all know and respect the Cpatains right.

This years Captain is a total pr**k but luckily he plays on a Saturday genarally and I play on a Sunday. I recently had a big row with him but if he walked to the tee as I was next group to go we would still invite him to play - it's tradition and its what sets golf apart.


Chris

 

[stef92]

I played in St Andrews, in March, with a member of the R&A, and although they have courtesy of the New Course, (they did build the thing!) we still waited in the cold and rain just like everyone else.

Traditions can still exist, and some are excellent, but some are just plain outdated!

I personally could never just walk up and play in front of anyone… usually because of 1st tee nerves!

 

[thecraw]

Oi, Mr Captain, jog on!

That would have been my response. Couldn't give a flying duck who he is. I pay the same fees as him, just because he's a crawling ass licker who wants a bit of an ego trip by getting onto committee and ultimately captain is no concern of mine.

Wait your turn.

 

[Basher]

surely a decent bloke would have walked up by himself , explained his situation & asked would it be ok to play next , he may be captain but manners & etiquette cost nothing

Amen to that, bang on the spot Blade.

I can't think of anyone who would refuse a polite request from the Captain. Using the "Do you know who I am" tactic just stinks of snobbery and worthy of a respectless captaincy for the knob!

 

[SocketRocket]

You join a club and accept the rules. In my club the rules say that the Captain has priority on the first tee, that's it. If I, you or anyone dont like it then either get over it or get out, too many people seem to have lost respect for the traditions of the game.

If you want to play golf in a club that operates a system where those that are prepared to put in the work to create a nice environment for you to enjoy then show some respect or try doing it yourself. But dont just insult the people that do.

 

[thecraw]

You join a club and accept the rules. In my club the rules say that the Captain has priority on the first tee, that's it. If I, you or anyone dont like it then either get over it or get out, too many people seem to have lost respect for the traditions of the game.

If you want to play golf in a club that operates a system where those that are prepared to put in the work to create a nice environment for you to enjoy then show some respect or try doing it yourself. But dont just insult the people that do.

So you bring up the subject, stating you found it frustrating and annoying so you clearly don't agree with what happened to you, why else pubilcise your frustrations on a public forum? . I think you are the one who's lost sight of what is "tradition and respectful" and are confusing it with an out dated pathetic privilege which actually shows a complete disregard and lack of respect to the paying members. The same members who probably put your captain in office.


Taditions of the game have nothing to do with your golf club making up a (my opinion) snooty nosed local rule in their clubs constitution giving the captain priority on the first tee. Pathetic!