Is it a big issue at your club.......?

[Bigfoot]

Surely, the main point is to not disturb someone elses game. Firstly, by making sure the ringer is off and then not talking too loudly. The trouble is that any chat on another hole that is close by will disturb a player. If there are a couple of trees in the way and you don't know someone is playing a shot then you may well cause a problem.

I think that overall it is better to leave mobiles in the car. It could be difficult to call for an ambulance in an emergency though.

 

[GB72]

Yeah - how did people pass the time.before mobiles, Mp3 players and PC's were invented.

played golf, had a life and unlike Gb72 used it to take the opportunity to escape the office.

I did not say I liked it or encouraged it, it is just a fact of life that I, together with many others, have to live with. Simple fact is that if the club was to take disciplinary action if I have to take, and bear this in mind, the occasional and short phone call then I would have to stop being a member. However much I love playing golf, the job and career has to come first. Also bear in mind that the phone is on silent and in my bag and I only check it at opportune moments, I am not walking down the fairway talking and sending texts. A little bit of leniancy on this rule allows me and quite a few others that I know continue to be members and play golf.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Not really an issue I've encountered. If you need to make a call in the club house you just need to be discrete. I always carry my phone on the course in case of emergency.

Point in case, my Dad slipped and fell quite heavily stepping off of the 18th tee. As we were next to the club house he was able to walk in. If we were at the far point of the course I'd almost certainly have had to call the clubhouse to get someone to bring a cart to drive him in. We've also had members have heart attacks and generally become unwell on the course. If that happens to me or any of my mates i'd certainly want to be able to quickly raise the alarm. Carrying my phone is the best way to do so.

 

[viscount17]

I don't even tell work my mobile number. my time is my time.

my place doesn't enforce any rules, or not often - the club doesn't own the course, it likes to impose club rules but is undermined when the course manager doesn't bother. the pro's don't bother either, a sale is a sale and I've seen people out in street shoes let alone trainers.

Carry mobiles yes, but switched to silent and vibrate, then step off the tee (and play through) if you must take the call.
Same in the clubhouse, go outside to make/take calls - I don't want half a dozen conversations going on all trying to talk over the guy at the next table.
and what happened to privacy? your business is your business - why do you want to announce to all and sundry? and in such glorious detail - soon complain if it was in print!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

.
Alot of people have families and businesses etc. where 3-4 hours with no contact is just not possible.

This is probably why golf clubs are struggling so much as they are stuck in the stone age!

Ash!!

But I remember people on the golf course before mobile phones were invented
How did they mangage
smoke signals from the clubhouse?

In those days work etc did not expect to be able to get hold of you on a day off. Now they do, simple. Jobs have changed, 24 hour permanent communication means that employers and customers or clients expect more. They reply 'sorry they are not in the office' used to mean that you called someone back later or the next day. Now that people have mobiles, texts and emails on smartphones, it is expected that an office can contact a member of staff at any time.

Only if you allow yourself to be contacted at anytime, no workplace can expect to contact a member of staff during time off and you shouldn't have to respond. If I'm required to be available outside of normal hours I don't play golf, if I'm not and I'm called it waits until I'm free. You have to have a balance between work and life, you work to live, not live to work.

 

[bobmac]

I wasn't really questioning whether you should use a moby on and around the course, I was more interested in what your club's attitude was towards using them. I find it amazing how so many club's are so against them. It's only a phonecall.
The bar staff will serve you your 4th pint, knowing you're driving home but if you're caught making a quick call home in the changing room it's 40 lashes


Disclaimer...Our club does not give 40 lashes for using mobys.

 

[Basher]

Mine goes on silent and slips into a pocket in my bag.

Time on the course is precious.

Today, I checked my phone as I went back to the car on finishing my round. 2 messages (no missed calls) One from one of the lads from work (not too important) The other from HID asking for some milk on my way home!

Once played with a guy who was never off it! He did apologise but stressed he was checking his e mails and MUST make a few important calls. Personally I thought he was an ignorant knob! Quite tempted to report him but what the hell, it was only a game of golf.

Switch to silent, lob it in the bag, check it if you need to, you never know, could be a family emergency. Otherwise save the calls until you've finished.
I only take mine off silent once I'm back in the car after my round.

 

[stevie_r]

My Club is in North Ayrshire where the mobile phone has yet yet to impact on society - maybe in 10 - 15 years

 

[daymond]

The only time to use a mobile on the course is to call for an ambulance.

 

[RGDave]

Surely if you have to take a call on the course you shouldn't be out there.

Hmm, not so sure about that. I think our armed forces and firemen might like to disagree.

 

[jammydodger]

I have no idea what our courses policy is on mobile phones and see no reason to find out. I leave mine in the car and couldnt give a stuff about other peoples as long as its on silent on the course.

I dont care about the clubhouse which is just like a bar anyhow so whats the difference.

 

[RGDave]

I have no idea what our courses policy is on mobile phones and see no reason to find out. I leave mine in the car and couldnt give a stuff about other peoples as long as its on silent on the course.

I dont care about the clubhouse which is just like a bar anyhow so whats the difference.

Spot on.

 

[Del]

Not sure about my club, but my phone comes with me on the course at all times, being self employed its on 24/7.

I always have it on silent and I would never make a call, unless it was a SOS call.

If I get a call I will only take it if it does not stop or hold up play in anyway.

Walking between shots I cant see a problem.

Del

 

[SharkAttack]

I take it you players who must use their phones on the course don't play at a course if there is no signal? Anyone who can't go for 4 hours without being in contact with the outside world really should get a life. Are you the people who can't go anywhere and enjoy yourself in case someone is trying to call or text you and keep checking your phone, or for that matter enjoy a weeks holiday abroad just in case there is no signal.

In answer to Bob- My club don't have a problem with mobiles but out off courtesy most people take there calls outside the main lounge. It is a council run course and there is no restriction on use, but I find most people who do use them do so discretely. I have saw a few people being asked by their playing partners to turn their phones off as they were contantly on the phone and distracting them.

All I would say is enjoy life and have a bit of relaxation time, it can't be good for you constantly thinking you are going to get a call.

Shark

 

[granters]

When i play with my bro he's on it constantly, drives me bananas sometimes to be honest. Absolutely bananas. But he's self employed with a family to feed and it's usually customers phoning him. It's a toughy in that situation as there's a decent chance he can miss a good job if he doesn't pick up.

I certainly see plenty of folk chin-waggin on the moby on the way round, but as long as it doesn't affect play then no problem for me. It's just part of the fibre of society now. I think trying to prevent it is futile, better to try and manage it with guidelines in my opinion.

I don't even look at mine during a round, but have it in the bag anyway

 

[RGDave]

Anyone who can't go for 4 hours without being in contact with the outside world really should get a life.

A little harsh. Although I see where you are coming from (and I am an "old grumpy" myself about some of these folks that see themselves as too important to never be out of touch) but I wouldn't tell my Captain to "get a life". He's a surgeon. No-one's ever seen him use his phone, but sure as hell it's on in his bag, and he checks it from time to time.
He saved a 7 year old's life last week, called in on emergency.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Although our website says mobiles should only be used in the car park, I've regularly used mine in the locker room without a problem. Personally I think they should be on silent mode once you are in the 19th itself and if you do have to make/take a call then go outside to do it. If there is no one using the patio I wouldn't be adverse to people going out there (as smokers do) to use it but if it's in use then it should be treated as part of the clubhouse and you should go out to the car park or locker room.

For me it comes down to a bit of common courtesy. I use to play with a guy who would regularly be checking his mobile, not for work but for calls/texts from mates down the pub. I found it a real pain in the neck but he was so thick skinned he never took any heed of any comments. In the end he left and it wasn't a great loss.

It's like anything. Common sense tells you where and when it is appropriate to use one.

 

[Mungoscorner]

If i was playing in a comp,and somebody in my group had there phone ring,and/or made a call on the course,i guarantee the phone wouldn't make it to the 19th.
My mother in law had a heart attack a few years ago,my wife rang the clubhouse and the assistant pro came out on a buggy to find me.I was informed as to what had happened and was back in my car and on my way home within 5-6 minutes.
There really isn't an excuse for disturbing other golfers with a mobile phone.