Jumping on someone else's booking?

[Orikoru]

Generally speaking, if I don’t want anyone else to hop into a tee time I’ll reserve the empty spaces. That’s acceptable practice at ours in normal times although, at the moment, with the course being busy we are not allowed to do this. As such we do run the risk of the practice described by the OP happening.

Worse than what he describes is what happened to me a few years ago, when I agreed to play with a mate who was a member elsewhere. Said mate asked if he could bring along a pal of his to make up a 3-ball, and I was happy to agree.

My mate then failed to show, leaving me to host his pal, who I had never even met. I was fuming.

What's so bad about that? Was the guy an *** or what?

 

[Billysboots]

What's so bad about that? Was the guy an *** or what?

Would you invite a guest to someone else’s club and then not rock up to at least make an introduction? It’s poor form.

The third fella was actually okay, but when my mate simply didn’t show up, without a word of explanation, I was less than impressed.

 

[Orikoru]

Would you invite a guest to someone else’s club and then not rock up to at least make an introduction? It’s poor form.

The third fella was actually okay, but when my mate simply didn’t show up, without a word of explanation, I was less than impressed.

Ah yeah, sorry, I thought you meant you were fuming simply because you had to play a round with someone you didn't know. Obviously that's poor from him to just not show up.

 

[jim8flog]

We book 8 days in advance and our booking system still allows anonymous.

About two a days after the booking system has gone live the office checks the booking system and removes all the silly names and anonymous bookings. 2 days is considered sufficient time for a player to book in their mates.

The manager has received emails about players wanting to play on their own , 2 or 3 balls and have been given a definite no if if other players wants to take up the spare slots.

10 minute tee intervals has seriously reduced the number of players that can play so booking slots are at a premium.

 

[rudebhoy]

Four points:
1. If this was the only time available around that time, you can't blame them.

2. They might have thought you were inviting others to add their names, they weren't to know you wanted a solo game.

3. If it's anything like my club, the prospect of having a solo round at 8am is virtually nil.

4. Personally, I'd welcome the chance to play alongside people better than me in the hope I learned something from it.

In short, you have no right to be narked. Let us know how you got on.

Like I said earlier, I was more put off than put out. The purpose of the post was not to have a moan but to ask if 3 strangers jumping onto an existing booking was socially acceptable. The consensus seems to be that it is, so I'm fine with them doing that.

I fully appreciate I can't expect to have the tee time to myself. If it had been folk I know, or one stranger, I'd have been ok with that, however the prospect of playing with 3 young lads who are all mates and about 40 years younger than me just didn't appeal, particularly with a comp being on.

Had a look late last night, and there was a free tee time at 7pm, so I've taken myself off the original booking and booked that instead. Hopefully all the spotty faced kids will be home listening to urban jungle, making TikTok videoes or watching NUFC getting beat at that time

 

[Depreston]

Tough one

Don’t mind it me and in the current climate I’m absolutely fine with it

but I know a fair few people who can only meet their mates on a golf course and use that time to catch up and wouldn’t want to engage in awkward small talk during that time which is fair enough too

 

[patricks148]

At the moment tee times are at a bit of a premium, so if you want to play on your own I don't really think it's fair to take up a tee slot during a busy time like that. I actually think it's fair enough that some other golfers have been put with you, as they want to enter the comp and there may be limited times available.

But just crack on and play with them anyway, and still use the yellow tees if you wish. If they were happy to book themselves in with a stranger then they can't really complain either way, the implication is that they're happy to play with you, so no reason why not.

Nairn Doesn't have BRS so if you book a time its yours and no one else can add to it, The kings does though and i think its quite common to add to a single name down, only trouble is a guy i sometimes play with had booked a time for him and two mates, didn't check turned up and two other guys had added to his time, lucky for him the time behind was free.

 

[clubchamp98]

The social bit is important to me, I love a good blether as we go round.

Like I said, I don't know these guys at all, but looking at the names, I'm guessing they are all young kids.

The thought of playing with 3 kids 40 years younger than me, and them bombing their drives 60 yards past me every time doesn't really have me buzzing.

I can see your point now.
But it’s a members course so it’s nothing wrong imo.
I have played with young lads who are a joy to watch and talk to.
Plus older members who are a nightmare.
And the reverse as well.
I would say ,”go play and enjoy it” It’s better than not playing.

 

[Grant85]

None of my regular PPs are around tomorrow, had a look on BRS this morning and saw there was a free tee time at 8am, so booked that for myself. Got a couple of 4 balls in front of me, so the intention was to take my time and have a little potter around.

However just got an email from BRS saying that 3 guys I've never heard of have jumped onto my booking. Had a look on the members' list, and they are all very low handicappers (2, 4 and 5). There is a comp on tomorrow, which they are bound to be in, so that means playing off the whites instead of the yellows, so all in all, my nice little knock around is kyboshed.

Is it wrong to be narked by this? I know it's a busy time, but (rightly or wrongly) I would never think of putting my name down to play with a stranger, particularly if I had 2 mates in tow. (I do make a point of asking single players if they want to join us when letting them play through, but it's always their choice).

Is there any kind of etiquette around this? I know that if, for example, a mate and myself put ourselves down to play with 2 women members, they would be very likely to take umbrage.

Absolutely no issue with this either as the 1st booking or the person who books onto someone else's round.

I'd say it is very much outwith the spirit of golf to be narked by this. Especially a 'peak' time.

If I wanted a solo round, then I'd be booking at a quiet time when there are loads of other spots around and so others can easilly pick a separate time.

Ultimately golf is quite good as a social game, but not a total disaster if you're not a big conversationalist.

If it bothers you, then it's the right move to just take up a slot at a quiet time and get on with your own game. But in my view, playing with others and potentially making friends is a good part of this sport and generally very happy with the opportunity to do so.

 

[GB72]

I can, to a certain extent, understand that it may be a bit more of an issue with a 3 ball signing in with a lone golfer as the dynamic changes from people joining your round to you forming part of theirs. Subtle difference I know. That said, at any peak time, I would expect those gaps to be filled by 3 other people, whether they are one group or 3 individuals. To me, busy times are not ideal for solo golfers or 2 balls. With a course full of larger groups there is frustration for everyone as smaller groups are held up or larger groups have to stop as smaller groups look to play through the field. If I want to go out on my own, it tends to be after work as any time before about 3.00 will be busy.

 

[jmf1488]

My playing partner and myself jumped in with 2 ladies at our golf club. It was the only space within a 3 hour period.

We had a great time. Everyone played well and had a good laugh. Ladies played off the forward tees. Our club lets you play off the tees based on your handicap.

Felt nice playing with strangers as it felt like it was a medal. Focused more and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[jim8flog]

Had a look late last night, and there was a free tee time at 7pm, so I've taken myself off the original booking and booked that instead.

7pm !!

You might find the gates closed and locked when you get in where I play. One of my mates had this happen to him and had to get his daughter to pick him up and bring him back the next day to get his car.

When we first came out of lockdown gates were closed at 7 pm, at least it has been extended to 9 now.

 

[rudebhoy]

7pm !!

You might find the gates closed and locked when you get in where I play. One of my mates had this happen to him and had to get his daughter to pick him up and bring him back the next day to get his car.

When we first came out of lockdown gates were closed at 7 pm, at least it has been extended to 9 now.

Good point. This happened a couple of years ago. 3 of us played then went up to Close House for the Hero Challenge thing the night before the British Masters. Went up in one car, got back to the clubhouse just after 10 to find they had shut early and locked the other 2 cars in!

Even more chance of it happening now with the bar being shut.

Saying that, there are bookings on BRS up to 19.50 so I guess there will be a few finishing in the dark.

 

[Orikoru]

7pm !!

You might find the gates closed and locked when you get in where I play. One of my mates had this happen to him and had to get his daughter to pick him up and bring him back the next day to get his car.

When we first came out of lockdown gates were closed at 7 pm, at least it has been extended to 9 now.

At my course the car park closes at 6pm but if you know you're finishing after that you just park outside on the road leading up to it.

 

[IanM]

If you go to Celtic Manor as a group of 6 and book 2 x 3balls, you will automatically get switched into a 4 and a 2. (unless it is v quiet) A boy, lots of folk really kick off at the starter who has no control over it! Frankly, I think that isnt on if you are away on a trip, but Celtic Manor say it is in the Ts and Cs (which no one actually reads)

If its an open booking system at your club, that's different. But you know who "not" to book in with!

 

[Pathetic Shark]

I had a guy at our place bitching about two two-balls in front of him complaining that the Pro Shop should have paired them up.
They then put this in place and the following week, him and his mate found themselves in a fourball with two others and he bitched even more about that.

Re-arrange "win" and "can't" into the one sentence to sum this up.

 

[jim8flog]

At my course the car park closes at 6pm but if you know you're finishing after that you just park outside on the road leading up to it.

Under our covid rules all players are expected to have left the property by 9pm.
Manager had a moan about players doing what you do.

 

[jim8flog]

You have a never ending list of things at your club that appear to have been designed to make the members lives as horrible as possible ?

Yes I know at lot of players at our club that would like to make everything just one big free for all, make up the rules as they go, play and when they want regardless of others.

 

[jim8flog]

Which is nothing to do with anything, and not relative to anything anyone said.

Touche.

 

[davidy233]

At my course the car park closes at 6pm but if you know you're finishing after that you just park outside on the road leading up to it.

6pm - that's early - I'm teeing off at 7.55pm tonight