lost the will to live!!!!!!

[Jungle]

Well this thread has cheered me up.

What I didn't like about the OP is this could be me in a few weeks if I enter a medal. however
As a newbie myself I won't enter any comps until I feel I know the course like the back of my hand. On the full rounds I've played I've been hitting around the 100 mark and feel I can take 5 off that in any round. I'm struggling to even imagine how you would put 130 strokes on a card.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

how does someone join a golf club without having a proposer or seconder. what if you are new to the area?

I joined with knowing anyone in the club as we were new to the area having just moved from Bristol. I had my handicap certificate (8 at the time - those were the days). I had to play a 'play-in' round with the then Club Captain as a 'test' of me, my golf and my etiquette. I passed . We still do those for all members joining (43 have joined this year so we are not too bad).

If you are new to golf and fancy joining a club we run an academy. A very good package of tuition, lessons, reduced green fees on a local Henry Cotton designed) Par 3 Course; and a few (half doz?) rounds of golf on the course (accompanied). Members of the academy only get allowed to play on the course when our Pro is satisfied that they understand the basics of the game; the rules; etiquette and will be able to cope playing a 'full course'. Academy membership lasts up to two years. Develops new members and they know what they are getting and paying for. We are getting quite a few new full members this way - they are all mad keen and great new members. It really seems to be working.

So what happened to the OP wouldn't happen at our place. Real failure by the club towards it's members I'd say. Not on.

 

[Foxholer]

Well this thread has cheered me up.

What I didn't like about the OP is this could be me in a few weeks if I enter a medal. however
As a newbie myself I won't enter any comps until I feel I know the course like the back of my hand. On the full rounds I've played I've been hitting around the 100 mark and feel I can take 5 off that in any round. I'm struggling to even imagine how you would put 130 strokes on a card.

H'mm. I reckon you'll be fine.

However, consider going out with an experienced mate/mates and play as if it was a Medal. There'll be a few things that come up for the first time - like swapping and marking/signing a card. All this sort of 'noise' - or even the energy involved in 'looking' for these - can be quite distracting first time out in a Medal so the more 'surprises' you can eliminate, the better.

 

[beggsy]

I have marked and would mark anybody's cards if they are new so what it's better than sat in the house I think you need to get off your very high horse and imagine if it was you in that situation

 

[Jungle]

H'mm. I reckon you'll be fine.

However, consider going out with an experienced mate/mates and play as if it was a Medal. There'll be a few things that come up for the first time - like swapping and marking/signing a card. All this sort of 'noise' - or even the energy involved in 'looking' for these - can be quite distracting first time out in a Medal so the more 'surprises' you can eliminate, the better.

Hopefully, although I fear it will be nerves more than ability.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

On the subject of joining, our club has done away with proposing and seconding and its about submitting an application, having a meeting with the captain and being asked to join and pay up. Much quicker and enticing to prospective members

 

[Fader]

as a side note,how many on this forum would take a complete novice out and play with them in a medal comp.

I would take one out in a round with me. I've been that complete novice that someone took out and showed me the ropes so to speak. Ok so I didn't ask about my swing etc as i'd had lessons before I started, but everyone has to start somewhere, we've all been there and no-one is going to take up the game if they are made to feel like a burden.

 

[Whereditgo]

Absolutely I would take a complete novice out with me whether it was a medal comp or not. And nor would I let his lack of ability or knowledge of etiquette bother me in the slightest. As has been stated several times before, you were slotted in last minute and I'm afraid you takes what you get!

Maybe you should read the article in this months mag about mentally dealing with slow rounds and focussing on something useful.

I wouldn't have thought the giving of advice would be relevant as the unfortunate chap wasn't actually a FC?

 

[garyinderry]

when was the last time you brought someone who has never played before out on a golf course? how some people think that this is ok for a complete first timer to play with seasoned golfers in a monthly medal is mind boggleing!

 

[Snelly]

when was the last time you brought someone who has never played before out on a golf course? how some people think that this is ok for a complete first timer to play with seasoned golfers in a monthly medal is mind boggleing!

I agree - it is not fair on either party.

Failure of the club to properly integrate a new member in a correct manner.

That said, not sure I would want to play with the OP either.

 

[CMAC]

I took out 3 American clients once who were over for a week, lovely people and the 2 ladies were very attractive- not that that had any bearing on wanting to play around fnaar!- but when I saw the fresh air shots at the first, and 10 shots later we were halfway to the first, I thought I've made a serious error here but I was patient and made sure anyone remotely near played through, plus I told anyone catching up at a green just to shout and play through, didnt want anyone especially my clients not to have an enjoyable game.

 

[garyinderry]

i have no qualms about bring out the new guys but not it a medal. its not fair on them either. i know id feel like a clown if i was taking airshot after airshot whilst people sniggered at me on the first. this can happen to a first timer.

 

[matriga]

I totally understand your feeling! Come on let's stay real here. It's completely ridiculous to play your first 18 during a comp! It's the best way to make someone crazy... Plus, if you're modest you don't buy shiny shiny stuff when you start off. Sorry guys, i'm totally agreeing with6"

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

i have no qualms about bring out the new guys but not it a medal. its not fair on them either. i know id feel like a clown if i was taking airshot after airshot whilst people sniggered at me on the first. this can happen to a first timer.

Agree completely - can't understand how anyone could think it acceptable - not the guys fault - but the fault of whoever allowed the entry into the comp. Surely a new member who hasn't played (much) golf - must have a mentor for at least the first few rounds he plays. It's not fair to put that onus on others.

 

[garyinderry]

buying the nice clubs doesnt come into it! if you had the doh, why would you go and pick up a knackered set of dunlops. of course you want to look and feel like a pro. thats why we all get suckered in by these new clubs. plus its a confidence thing. if its good enough for rory etc!

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I agree - it is not fair on either party.

Failure of the club to properly integrate a new member in a correct manner.

That said, not sure I would want to play with the OP either.

Just about sums it up perfectly!

 

[Khamelion]

After reading this entire thread, it's very apparent that the OP is in no way going to get any sympathy, but he does make some relevant points.

• The club put him in group with a complete novice and an elderly gentleman
  • Not the OP's fault, he should have been told by the club what the situation was and giving the option of taking up the spare slot or not playing.
  • The OP was not told this and subsequently had a hissy fit. Put you big boy pants on and suck it up, **** happens from time to time.
• The OP comes across as having a chip on his shoulder about the novice and the gear the novice had.
  • Perhaps a little bit of jealousy creeping in here, but then who on here hasn't coveted somebody elses gear at one point or another?
• The OP states that the novice is 'minted',
  • I mean really? You have the audacity to make that comment and then proceed to tell the forum audience that it costs nearly £2,000 to join your club. I may be a little out of touch, but I think the majority of clubs have dropped the membership fee and just charge a green fee. The clubs that still charge a membership fee are those who would like a certain type of member, by certain type of member I mean those lucky people with a little bit extra disposable income.
• The OP makes no bones abot the fact he was annoyed with being grouped with the eldery gentleman and the novice. The novice being the target for his vitriol, the objections being:-
  • Explaining golfing etiquette.
    • So what's the problem with that? Explain why the eldery gentleman always went first on the tee box, being polite costs nothing.
  • Giving advice
    • Okay grey area and probably the only one where people may agree with you, you're in a comp, you give advice you get disqualified. Tough call, but there may have been some leeway given the circumstances, but again be polite offer advice and tell him to go see the club pro for lessons. I mean we've all done it on the course when we've told a playing partner to slow his/her backswing down or offered some other words of encouragement.
  • Playing slow
    • You were bound to play slow, the guy was a novice, so were you once upon a time

All in all the OP has come on the forum expecting to find like minded people, elitist wealthy golfers, golfers full of their own self importance and golfers who would have read the OP only to reply with "well said" or "Totally Agree"

What he actually found was a forum full of diverse opinion and a hole from which he could not get out of, there were a few tries but the hole just got deeper. Most of the replies were forthright and without sympathy and of the OP which was a cry for that sympathy, those cries were ignored.

I seen my share of dickheads out on the course, I've played with people who have made my blood boil because of one thing or another, but I've taken it with good grace, sometimes played well and sometimes played badly because of how something they have done has affected me, but at the end of the round, it was some gentle exercise a natter with my mate and a pint in the bar afterwards.

 

[bladeplayer]

Ive read most of the replys ,i gota agree with Gary & Snellys last few comments , personaly , i think the Pro was very unprofessional here .. put yourself in the newbies (very expensive top of the range ) shoes, would you have wanted your 1st ever game to be a medal ? i wouldnt .. i think the pro failed the new member , he should have suggested the guy play a few holes a couple of evenings , get use to the course & maybe have played with him, or had one of the committee play with him .. i think sometimes clubs are too quick to take dosh & point you in direction of the 1st tee & forget you ,

 

[6inchcup]

After reading this entire thread, it's very apparent that the OP is in no way going to get any sympathy, but he does make some relevant points.

• The club put him in group with a complete novice and an elderly gentleman
  • Not the GOP's fault, he should have been told by the club what the situation was and giving the option of taking up the spare slot or not playing.
  • The OP was not told this and subsequently had a hissy fit. Put you big boy pants on and suck it up, **** happens from time to time.
• The OP comes across as having a chip on his shoulder about the novice and the gear the novice had.
  • Perhaps a little bit of jealousy creeping in here, but then who on here hasn't coveted somebody else's gear at one point or another?
• The OP states that the novice is 'minted',
  • I mean really? You have the audacity to make that comment and then proceed to tell the forum audience that it costs nearly £2,000 to join your club. I may be a little out of touch, but I think the majority of clubs have dropped the membership fee and just charge a green fee. The clubs that still charge a membership fee are those who would like a certain type of member, by certain type of member I mean those lucky people with a little bit extra disposable income.
• The OP makes no bones about the fact he was annoyed with being grouped with the elderly gentleman and the novice. The novice being the target for his vitriol, the objections being:-
  • Explaining golfing etiquette.
    • So what's the problem with that? Explain why the elderly gentleman always went first on the tee box, being polite costs nothing.
  • Giving advice
    • Okay grey area and probably the only one where people may agree with you, you're in a comp, you give advice you get disqualified. Tough call, but there may have been some leeway given the circumstances, but again be polite offer advice and tell him to go see the club pro for lessons. I mean we've all done it on the course when we've told a playing partner to slow his/her backswing down or offered some other words of encouragement.
  • Playing slow
    • You were bound to play slow, the guy was a novice, so were you once upon a time

All in all the OP has come on the forum expecting to find like minded people, elitist wealthy golfers, golfers full of their own self importance and golfers who would have read the OP only to reply with "well said" or "Totally Agree"

What he actually found was a forum full of diverse opinion and a hole from which he could not get out of, there were a few tries but the hole just got deeper. Most of the replies were forthright and without sympathy and of the OP which was a cry for that sympathy, those cries were ignored.

I seen my share of dickheads out on the course, I've played with people who have made my blood boil because of one thing or another, but I've taken it with good grace, sometimes played well and sometimes played badly because of how something they have done has affected me, but at the end of the round, it was some gentle exercise a natter with my mate and a pint in the bar afterwards.

i posted my experience NOT to feel the love of my fellow forum members but to give my honest thoughts,like it or lump it deep down that's what 90% of people would have felt but few on here actually write it because of the bad post's they get back,YES i have a few quid so what,YES my club is traditional and not for everyone (expensive?),but why should i be expected to spoil my enjoyment because a fellow member needs his bottom wiping and bottle fed,you say i have a chip on my shoulder ? what chip ? i play social golf for fun and play in comps to better my h/c and merit points are YOU saying this chaps actions were correct in depriving me of my aims.

 

[chris661]

are YOU saying this chaps actions were correct in depriving me of my aims.

It wasn't this chaps fault. Why can you not realise this? It was the pro, if anybody, that was at fault.