Irresponsible, what do you think?

[Golfmmad]

Played at my course yesterday and just as we were leaving the 14th green and walking towards the 15th tee a guy was walking up the fairway, clubs in hand, with 3 kids at about the age of 6 or7. Their Mothers were also strolling up behind them.

I politely called over to them and said, "What is he doing, he shouldn't be on the course with children, has he been in and seen the Pro?" "He is the Pro", they said, to my amazement. Actually, he's the new assistant Pro.

Whilst I was putting my gear in the car, my mate who played with me went in the Pro shop, introduced himself to the new Pro and said that he thought it was irresponsible to take kids out on the course whilst other golfers were playing. He went on to say what if stray balls came over and hit the kids it could easily kill or seriously injure them.

He more or less shrugged it off and said that the kids knew what to do if that happened.

I'm thinking of reporting him next Saturday before I play in the Monthly Stableford. I certainly wouldn't have him teach my kids.

What do you guys think, am I over reacting and should just let it go, or report him?

Golfmmad.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Chill out Golfmad you've said your piece to him. What do you expect to happen if you report him?

 

[Basher]

Can't see you being too popular if you dob him in.
I know quite a few people who have a knock with their kids in tow.
Some do it as they have to look after the kids. Best of both worlds, look after the kids and have a knock at the same time.

As long as the kids aren't running round all over the place and are quiet....... can't see a problem.

 

[Screwback]

Cant see a problem with it, i used to caddy for my faitha when i was about thhat age. I am sure if there were any stray balls flying about the guy would have made sure his kids were not in the way...

Chillax i think

 

[Golfmmad]

Don't get me wrong guys, I'm all for kids playing the game and enjoying themselves. I just thought it was the wrong time and place. Surely it's safer on the putting green or the driving range.

Also, the trouble with walking up the 15th you have to be very careful of those teeing off the 18th as they can't be seen because of a grass mound obscuring the view.

Golfmmad.

 

[JustOne]

I don't have a problem with kids on the course as long as they let faster players through!

No different (I guess) than someone walking their dog with the family if the course is common land.

 

[doublebogey7]

Don't see the problem at all, and would suggest much healthier and probably safer for the kids to be taking a stroll on a golf course that it would for them to be staying in at home playing on their DS.

Just out of interest who were you going to report him too.

 

[percy_layer]

I'm thinking of reporting him next Saturday before I play in the Monthly Stableford. I certainly wouldn't have him teach my kids.

What do you guys think, am I over reacting and should just let it go, or report him?

Sounds to me like a junior lesson on the course, really can't see an issue with it at all, and it's probably what's expected of him in his job. When would you rather he took them onto the course? Chances are it's going to have people playing on it at whatever time he takes them for a few holes.

 

[bozza]

I really can't see a problem at all, aslong as they aint slowing up play or causing any problems such as putting off other players on the course they have just as much right to be there. What annoys me more is at my local course a good few months back a group of "older" gentlemen practically ran and pushed there way past 2 lads that were only about 12 and new to the game just to get infront of them on the first tee.

Golf courses really need to encourage younger people rather than scare them off with there old fashioned out dated ways.

I've had a drink, rant over. haha.

 

[Golfmmad]

Juniors?? More like infants in a kindergarden

Well, I did ask for opinions, so thanks for replies and I'll forget about it and chillout.

Golfmmad.

 

[CliveW]

Hi Golfmad,
I take it you don't have kids?
I used to take my kids out with me when they were about that age as did my father with me. It is the best age to learn how to swing a club and golf ettiquette. If we don't encourage kids into sport at that age we'll be all the poorer for it.
As long as they're supervised and behave I'm all for it.

 

[Golfmmad]

CliveW, yes I do have kids and as said in an earlier post I'm all for them taking up any sport and enjoying doing so.

I just found it strange to see a guy running up the fairway with 3 kids in tow and then start putting on the green.
Also, because they were so young, thought it would be much safer on the practice putting green.

Golfmmad.

 

[CliveW]

CliveW, yes I do have kids and as said in an earlier post I'm all for them taking up any sport and enjoying doing so.

My apologies. If my golf is anything to go by, the fairway is probably the safest place to be on a golf course.

 

[Golfmmad]

If my golf is anything to go by, the fairway is probably the safest place to be on a golf course.

I could probably say the same thing, except it can sometimes be the wrong fairway!

Golfmmad.

 

[CrapHacker]

You say 'Their mothers'.

How many mothers were involved ? And were they supervising at all, or just enjoying the walk ?

Personally I reckon you ideally need a ratio of 1 adult per child on the course itself, although that can change on the practice areas.

 

[USER1999]

I'm confused. Were they playing the hole, or walking the wrong way up the fairway, towards the tee.

If they were playing, no probs, if they are meandering around the course, in the wrong order, then they shouldn't be there.

 

[Spoff]

My lad is 6, and show a little interest on the driving range. Although he is very well behaved I wouldn't dream of taking him on an 18 hole course.

although his is a good kid his attention span is that of a six year old and at some point he would wander off.

There is a small 9 hole par 3 course near me, I am thinking about taking him in the holidays - even then I don't think he's last more than 3 holes.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I'm confused. Were they playing the hole, or walking the wrong way up the fairway, towards the tee.

If they were playing, no probs, if they are meandering around the course, in the wrong order, then they shouldn't be there.

Wot Murph said.

I used to walk around the course with my dad when I was about that age and as I recall I wasn't even slightly killed. Not once .

 

[kmc21]

I wouldn't bother as long as the kids are under control and not being unruly. I take my little girl out with me for a few holes on a regular basis, have never heard any complaints about it yet.

 

[Golfmmad]

There were 2 mothers who were walking up the 15th fairway and joined the kids and Pro on the 15th green.

We waited until they were out of driving range, which wasn't a problem, got to our balls on the fairway and again waited 'til they were finished on the green.

Murph,

The answer to your question above.

They weren't actually playing the course - I don't think they could even swing a club at that age. They then cut across to the 17th green and were, I suppose, putting whilst we teed off at the 16th. And I've often seen balls sliced off the tee on to and around the 17th green

So they were only putting, which again, I don't see why it wasn't done on the safety of the practice putting green.

StrangelyBrown,

Very funny, LOL. Have you ever been hit or encountered a near miss from a golf ball? Well I've had a near miss and it scared the s**t out of me. Walking along a fairway next to another running in the opposite direction. About 100 yds away from the opposite tee box, from the left I heard the scream, foouurr leeeft! It all happened in a split second - I saw out the corner of my eye a white flash and a noise, and just instinctively leant back and it fizzed past my face. Wow that was close!!

I've been hit as well - somebody teed off behind while I was waiting for the green to clear. And just the run out from the drive hit me on the achilles heel - boy was that painful!

I suppose I should get a job in Health & Safety.

Golfmmad.