Quiet Please!

[TWM]

It is good that dads will help their youngsters to get started in our sport but there is one little thing they should think about.
This morning I got to the range, totally empty so I got to my favourite bay at the far right end.
I was just getting going when in he came with his little daughter. Why did he choose the bay immediately next to me? His instructions to the little girl were continuous and very disturbing to me so I moved away and went outside to the grass.
Another dad came in later with two boys and I hardly heard a word from him.
I hope all you people are like dad number two.

 

[JustOne]

Wear an mp3 player, playing Bob Rotella audio books.

 

[owalker]

Even worse, the other week I had to listen to a girl's mother talking about the previous night's TV.

 

[RGDave]

It is good that dads will help their youngsters to get started in our sport but there is one little thing they should think about.
This morning I got to the range, totally empty so I got to my favourite bay at the far right end.
I was just getting going when in he came with his little daughter. Why did he choose the bay immediately next to me? His instructions to the little girl were continuous and very disturbing to me so I moved away and went outside to the grass.
Another dad came in later with two boys and I hardly heard a word from him.
I hope all you people are like dad number two.

I'm like Dad number two.

I think some people simply forget that there are folks at ranges who are properly practising/working and need a chance to make their time worthwhile.

Would the people who insist on making noise/disturbing others do the same in a snooker club or on the next tennis court?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There are two types of parent I hate at the range I use. Its a very tucked away location so fortunately everyone there is there to practice (no noisy teenagers just there to smash balls and muck about) but we sometimes get:

Parent A who will let their kids run around the bays, potentially getting in the way of others or who will let them sneak out to pick up any nearby balls - basically no control or idea that people are hitting balls and trying to work on their game

Parent B will coach their coach to death and make a lot of noise and not many sensible comments and will look for a scapegoat or excuse if little Johnny hits a bad one. I stopped hitting (I always take a break after three or four shots) and this kid hit a wicked slice and I got blamed for watching!

Luckily the outside bays tend not to get used by kids as its in front of the clubhouse and the teaching pros or staff tend to be around so less opportunity for parent A or B to get away with anything.

I love it that parents are encouraging their kids to play the game as we need a new generation coming through and love to watch those that obviously play the game (or at least watch it a bit) let the kids learn naturally and make their own mistakes. They encourage and are positive and will only give simple tips.

 

[andiritchie]

At least you dont get asked for balls or 'can i have your big tee'

That why i swapped ranges to a new one which like Homer is off the beaten track and needs a car to get too

 

[Yerman]

You really need to chill, if some kid and parent can put you off on the range, what are you like on the course when you meet a real hazard. Try viewing such distractions as a challenge to improve you concentration, it might even work in your favour

 

[colint]

I'm with NJD on this one, the range I go to almost always has varying degrees of kids and parents making all kinds of noise, but so what ? If you can't focus with some background noise that's you're problem. I focus on what's happening in my booth, nothing else. The range is a lot of peoples first intro to the game, so you've got to accept kids, newbies, people just going for a laugh etc

 

[Imurg]

Focussing on the job in hand has never been a problem for me. I used to play a lot of cricket and was neber upset by someone walking behind the bowler's arm or Concorde going over etc etc. Same in Golf. Talking, moving, wahtever doesn't seem to put me off - I can focus enough. So a noisy range isn't a problem for me. When I take The Boy down to ours I encourage him as much as I can and if I'm a bit loud for others - well sorry. But he's my Boy and I want him to

A. Enjoy himself - otherwise he might not come back
B. do as well as he can - if I have to tell him to move his feet a bit then so be it.
C. Feel like he's doing well - probably as important as "A".

 

[justhitthething]

When I take The Boy down to ours I encourage him as much as I can and if I'm a bit loud for others - well sorry. But he's my Boy and I want him to

A. Enjoy himself - otherwise he might not come back
B. do as well as he can - if I have to tell him to move his feet a bit then so be it.
C. Feel like he's doing well - probably as important as "A".

[/QUOTE]


D Learn that the world doesnt revolve around him and that other people who are trying to concentrate deserve treating with respect.

 

[Imurg]

When I take The Boy down to ours I encourage him as much as I can and if I'm a bit loud for others - well sorry. But he's my Boy and I want him to

A. Enjoy himself - otherwise he might not come back
B. do as well as he can - if I have to tell him to move his feet a bit then so be it.
C. Feel like he's doing well - probably as important as "A".

D Learn that the world doesnt revolve around him and that other people who are trying to concentrate deserve treating with respect.

[/QUOTE]

A public driving range isn't the same as a public library! You've got the noise of other golfers drives - the sound from modern drivers is enough to put most people off - so a bit of talking isn't going to get in the way. Our range is next to a busy road so you get traffic noise, its on a flight-path to Luton Airport and a local aerodrome so you get constant plane noise. If you want to practice there in peace and quiet - well you can't!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't mind a bit of noise. What I find off putting is when the kids start running out of the bay next to me and then look like they are heading into yours. Its a concern that I'm going to swing back and hit one. I don't care who you are that is definitely going to put you off. I'm all for youngsters coming down the range but the parents need to be aware that it is a dangerous environment

As for the noisy dad trying to teach his son then I'm more often than not too busy trying to stiffle a giggle as yet another piece of terrible advice comes spurting out. If I hear a dad giving sound advice (not too much) and encouraging the kid I'll often stop and watch as I think its great to see the delight on kids faces when they get one right and it sails away with no effort.

 

[USER1999]

What I find off putting is the idiot in the bay 5 along from mine, who while trying to drive 400 yards with Charles Berkleys swing, keeps hitting the roof. Once, ok, fair enough, but 50 out of 100 balls? It was like the beginning of saving private ryan. Incoming!

 

[Spoff]

What I find off putting is the idiot in the bay 5 along from mine, who while trying to drive 400 yards with Charles Berkleys swing, keeps hitting the roof. Once, ok, fair enough, but 50 out of 100 balls? It was like the beginning of saving private ryan. Incoming!

At a recent demo day I am sure this bloke was there, and only for the free balls.

(I think) he was with Callaway when I was a few bays down with TM and the reps were all laughing at him, he had a driver in hand and was trying to put the ball in the woods, the trees were over the right fence, not the back one.

He moved more during his swing than I do on the dance floor, the rep had clearly washed his hands of him.

As for kids at the range, I take my five year old. The first thigs he was taught there were to not shout and not run about.

 

[JustOne]

What I find off putting is the idiot in the bay 5 along from mine, who while trying to drive 400 yards with Charles Berkleys swing, keeps hitting the roof. Once, ok, fair enough, but 50 out of 100 balls? It was like the beginning of saving private ryan. Incoming!

Smiffy was at your driving range?