Mobile phones at golf clubs - your view?

[MikeH]

afternoon all
next issue our GM debate will be on whether or not golf clubs should relax rules on mobile phones being used on the course and in the clubhouse.
I'm keen to feature a few soundbites from the forum on the page so if anyone has any views they'd like to share and would be happy for them to possibly be featured in the magazine do post away!
Thanks in advance

 

[M1tch]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

i dont think its a big deal ! i think golf clubs should have it because say its a emergency and the people need to get the person on the course.

 

[Cernunnos]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Personally I don't use mobiles on the course because if I'm playing golf I'm playing golf & I don't use them in the clubhouce because that's the rules & I take a dim view of people who use them in the club house when they are not suposed to.

However, now this is the big however I really don't see the use of mobiles need be a big sticking point, just so long as it doesn't interfere with the round & not too much of a disturbance is made & as long as calls are kept reasonably short.

 

[M1tch]

i dont use them on the course or in the clubhouse because i am there to play for the day... its just if its a emergency and someone needs a person on the course or in the clubhouse i think they should let them have it.

 

[KeefG]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Phones should be banned from the course but not banned in the clubhouse is my opinion.

Its all well and good saying what if somebody needs to get in contact in an emergency, but what did people do in the days before mobiles? There is nothing worse, and trust me it happened to me last week, than taking your back swing and someone's phone launches into a rendition of the star wars theme and puts you right off. Or someone walking around the fairway in front of you on the phone whilst you're stood waiting on the tee.....this has also happened to me recently!

I know its not exactly the same vein, but you wouldnt see a footballer answering his phone and running down the wing whilst organising Saturdays roasting at the same time would you?

There is a time & a place for mobile phones, golf courses are not one of those places!!!

 

[Twire]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Ban them from the clubhouse...Ban them from the course...But allow them in the car park.

What on earth did we do before mobile phones? Ah I know, we got on with our business without interuption.

Must admit, I took mine out on the course a couple of weeks ago while I was supposed to be at work, just incase customers wanted to get hold of me, and was quite embarassed when it went off........Sorry Wackygolfer

 

[mikeyp74]

Afetrnoon guys, thought i'd jump in on this one!

It's all well saying what did we do before mobile phones, but do you still play with wooden shafts as they used to do that before too you know!

On the course - kept in bag, if needed then text or answer and keep it short, no interference with anyone else in front or beyond.

In the clubhouse - phones should be allowed on, again keep it short and sharp.

My wife was due last November and i played golf every Sunday, believe me my phone was on and nobody was going to tell me otherwise! Should i just have stayed at home?

 

[M1tch]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Banned from the clubhouse...Banned from the course...But allow them in the car park.

What on earth did we do before mobile phones? Ah I know, we got on with our business without interuption.

Must admit, I took mine out on the course a couple of weeks ago while I was supposed to be at work, just incase customers wanted to get hold of me, and was quite embarassed when it went off........Sorry Wackygolfer

why ban them in the clubhouse ! there is TV'S going and people talking and thats, there is so much noise so whats the point of banning them?

 

[Wilts]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

I completly understand why you would ban mobile phones you dont want load mouths shouting to their mates down the phone or stupid ring tones echoing through the course as your trying to tee off, however relaxing of the rules should be thought about.

Most (if not all) phones have a vibrate/silent option for emergencies and also some phones have shot saver golf applications. I respect the notion of no phones in some clubs but do confess to useing the internet sometimes to get yardages of the clubs website course guide save money on buying one!

I am not making any noise but am using my phone and would be peeved if was told i couldn't!

 

[haplesshacker]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Interesting question.

Shouldn't be used in the clubhouse. Nor on the course. I'm there to get way from all that nonsense. However I do worry about my young family, and don't like the idea of my wife not being able to get hold of me. Though at our club the Orange reception is virtually non-existent. So I'm cut off anyway.

Ban 'phones' from golf courses is a bit 'backward'. I'll explain. I use my phones in built GPS antenna and a piece of sofware called Freecaddie. It does the same thing as most stand alone GPS systems available today. Only difference is that for the full package mine only cost me 25 dollars. To have a ban on mobiles on the course would limit me and any one else that utilizes their phone in this way. (Blackberry, i-phone etc.)

So would it be a ban on phones or using them to make calls? I know it's just terminology, but I've come across so many badly written rules in my time, that are wide open to interpretation.

The solution is to switch off the radio signal or stick the thing on silent.

 

[Twire]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Banned from the clubhouse...Banned from the course...But allow them in the car park.

What on earth did we do before mobile phones? Ah I know, we got on with our business without interuption.

Must admit, I took mine out on the course a couple of weeks ago while I was supposed to be at work, just incase customers wanted to get hold of me, and was quite embarassed when it went off........Sorry Wackygolfer

why ban them in the clubhouse ! there is TV'S going and people talking and thats, there is so much noise so whats the point of banning them?

Because a lot of people tend to shout when talking on mobile phones as if the person on the other ends deaf...and I don't want to listen to the ramblings of 2 people who are going to see each other 5 mins after they leave the club house.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Got to have them i'm afraid. If more golf clubs moved with the times instead of ignoring it they wouldn't be struggling so much to fill memberships! In this fast paced world we live in, most of us need to stay in contact despite being busy with other things.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

I have mine in my bag on the course and check it once, when we're at the tea hut.
In the clubhouse, I have it in my pocket on silent and go outside if I have to use it.
Sensible policies for a sensible Britain.

 

[freddielong]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

They should't be allowed on the course.

I know people will say what about emergencies but the problem is everyone's idea of what constitutes and emergency is different. There is nothing worse than being unable to tee off, because the guy who's got the honour is being asked to buy fish fingers on the way home.

I don't see a problem with them in the clubhouse as long as they are turned off for presentations.

 

[bobmac]

I agree Mikey.
As far as I know, most phones these days have a vibrate setting.
Use this and keep it on you everywhere.
At my course, your fined 50p for charity if your phone rings in the clubhouse bar. (Do phones still ring?)
I dont have a problem if someone takes a quick call and says 'phone you back later'.
I really dont understand Golf clubs in general being so anti Moby

 

[Twire]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Shouldn't be used in the clubhouse. Nor on the course. I'm there to get way from all that nonsense. However I do worry about my young family, and don't like the idea of my wife not being able to get hold of me. Though at our club the Orange reception is virtually non-existent. So I'm cut off anyway.

I had this problem a about 6-7 years ago. One of my little ones was taken ill.......My wife phoned the club house and they came out to tell me.

We managed before them, so i'm sure we can manage 4 hours without them.

 

[haplesshacker]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

They should't be allowed on the course.

But as I've pointed out. Is that to make calls or for using as a GPS?

Interpretation.

 

[Twire]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

Got to have them i'm afraid. If more golf clubs moved with the times instead of ignoring it they wouldn't be struggling so much to fill memberships! In this fast paced world we live in, most of us need to stay in contact despite being busy with other things.

Yep, I can see your point there. We have a Ban on the course and in the clubhouse. We also have a 4 year waiting list and a £1000 joining fee.

 

[KeefG]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

My wife phoned the club house and they came out to tell me.

We managed before them, so i'm sure we can manage 4 hours without them.

Exactly the point i was getting at!

As Hapless has pointed out, the interpretations are what need spelling out. Using your mobile for GPS is fine, I personally have no issues with that at all. I do however, have issues with people making & recieving calls whilst on the course. No need for it at all!

 

[Tommo21]

Re: Mobile phones/golf club - your view?

I have mine in my bag on the course and check it once, when we're at the tea hut.
In the clubhouse, I have it in my pocket on silent and go outside if I have to use it.
Sensible policies for a sensible Britain.

I do about the same, have it on silent out on the course and the clubhouse. Ready to take my tee shot in last sundays medal and the other guys phone goes off. Not good.