Should I Say Something ?

[User 105]

ok, before I start I hope I don't come off as being a bit of an a**hole on this.

I joined my first club ever just over a week ago. One of the requirements I had was there was no restrictions when I can play as a one ball. And it was the deciding factor between my shortlist of clubs.

I know it's a bit unsociable, but sometimes I just like being by myself. I do prefer playing with other people, but there are just times when I want to be alone.

Well, I booked a tee-time for yesterday morning to play alone but when I got to the club I was told they'd put me together with another two members.

I said I'd reserved the tee time as a one ball as I wanted to play on my own today and was basically told if I didn't want to play I'd have re-book and they could't garantee they would't put me out with someone else anyway.

I didn't want to make a big thing about it at the time as I wanted to play and it was a fantastic day for golf so I just accepted it.

I enjoyed a great round with a couple of really good guys but the whole thing left me feeling a bit off.

Perhaps it's just me, but I thought if they were going to join a couple of members up with me it would have been courteous to ask me before hand, and not tell me when I show up if I didn't want to then it would be me, the person who actually booked the tee time in the first place, who would not be playing.

I hope this hasn't come over wrong. As I say I have no problem with playing with other members, but it's how this was handled has really got my back up.

Should I say something? I've only been a member for just over a week so don't want to get a bad reputation.

 

[TonyN]

Yes you should and no it's not you being an a*****e

I Am quite the same, I sometimes like to play alone. It's good to work on things with no one about, go along at your own pace and think about stuff without having to engage in conversatio. For 3 hours. Don't get me wrong I prefers playing with others but occasionally I do like the alone time.

Who told you it was ok to play alone and who didn't?

I would be telling the club that this was a major part of your decision in choosing a club as the flexability set them apart from others and that is why they got your hard earned. If they are not prepared to carry out there promises then you should be looking at another club.

I can see why you wouldn't want to say anything but at the end of the day you paid your money like everyone else and have the right to enjoy the club how you see fit. I take it they have no policies in place to stop you as someone told you it was ok.

Good luck however you go about it. Keep us informed!

 

[Smiffy]

I've got to be honest...if it were me I would have been only to pleased to have played with a couple of members having only been a member myself for a week. My whole reason for joining a club in the first place is to get to know other people and join in the club "atmosphere".
Had I wanted to play on my own I would have not booked a tee time, and just turned up at a quieter time of the day and gone out alone.
I'm not saying it wasn't handled incorrectly. They should have advised you that this might happen when you initially booked the tee time.
But in my first few months of joining the club I would be looking to integrate as much as possible into the club....
Rob

 

[madandra]

Rather than say something I would simply ask if there is a policy of not letting singles out? I am guessing that because the weather has improved that the starter was just trying to please as many golfers as possible. The starter or committee member may say that singles can go out but only if there is not a lot of people gagging for a round while the sun shines.

 

[User 105]

Smiffy, I enjoy meeting new people. Last weekend I went out as a one ball and met up with a couple of members on the 1st tee, got talking and we joined up for the round.

They've invited me to join up with them every Sunday if I want to, and will do next weekend.

It was more the way this was dealt with that got my back up. If they had have asked me if I minded if they join me up with a couple of members I'd have probably said yeah, love to.

It was more the fact I wasn't given the choice, and even worse, if I didn't like it then I was the one who would have to give way, even though I was the one who reserved the tee time.

There's an electronic booking system and they have all our contact details on file, it couldn't be too much of a problem to give me a call.

I'm going to give them a call on Monday to find out where I stand.

 

[Smiffy]

I didn't have a pop at you for not wanting to play with new people Westy, I did say that I felt it wasn't handled correctly and that you should have been warned that if either could, or had happened. As you have only been there a week I would be inclined to keep my powder dry so's not to ruffle any feathers, and watch out for it happening again.
Rob

 

[DCB]

It's not uncommon at certain places for them to pair up or make up fourballs so that they can get as many onto the course as possible. These tend to be commercial concerns or larger "big money" courses though.

As a new member you need to bed in gently at the club, find out how it all works and what is and isn't acceptable.

Don't take this the wrong way, but, I think it is a bit niave turning up to play as a single on a Saturday morning. Saturday will probably be the busiest day of the week and I imagine it would be frowned upon to go out by yourself on a busy course.

I certainly wouldn't expect to play alone on a Saturday morning at my own club.

Ask the question next week and see what the club says. look on the up side though, you've met new folks and had an invite to join them next week.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[Macster]

I cannot imagine being a member of any club where you have to 'book' a tee time at all.
Its only Medal's at ours that require a booking, quite simply any other time/day/week, I can turn up and play either alone or with people.

Yesterday i turned up alone for a few holes, and ended up pairing with 2 members who I'd never met or played with before, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I do know exactly what you mean, and sometimes I like playing alone too.

But, if I were you, I'd tread carefully, you certainly dont want to ruffle too many peoples feathers so soon, so perhaps a call to the office to ask exactly what the club;s policy is, and whether the Pro shop are aware of it too etc.
That said, if it was yesterday morning, on a beautiful day, its hardly surprising that they wanted to get people away smoothly.

 

[Cernunnos]

One of the clubs I play insists upon building up groups into fourballs. Tbh, its meant i've not played as much as I'd have liked, as there are days I like to go out & enjoy my own company & be working on my own game. That said, building up groups into fourballs does give a chance to meet new people, but I do think that occasionally not a great deal of thought has gone into who the club groups together.

I do think something needs to be said, as regards not being forwarned about this. Though I wouldn't make too much of a fuss about it.

I fyou want to play on your own all it really needs is a quick word or two to the players who you've been grouped with & ask if you can split into two groups after the first few holes if you really want or need to be playing on your own.

 

[User 105]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the guidance.

I'm new to golf and this is my first club so I'm not sure what's acceptable and what's not.

As a new member I don't really want to get peoples backs up but I would like to know where I stand on this. Hence the post.

I was told by the membership advisor that this wouldn't be a problem, but reception\pro shop, might think different.

So I'll make a polite enquiry on Monday to find out where I stand.

 

[DCB]

Take it as an opportunity to play with other members and to get them to mark cards towards your handicap. That then opens the doors to playing in the comps as the season gets under way.

 

[mansell]

if this upsets forum members so be it
there is no way on this earth i would have any golf club telling me who to play with if you want to go around on your own then you are perfectly intitled too was it explained to you that they could team you up with any tom, dick or harry
i am going to stop now before i say something. you go back to that club and tell them you will decide whether or not to play alone

i need to take a chill pill

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
I think at the weekend if the course is busy that they should be able to join u up withother groups how would u fee if u rang up for a tee time and were told that there were none available because there were 10 1 balls going out,i know i would be pissed off.
Mike

 

[DCB]

Mansell, what club do you play out of ?

Must be murder on a Saturday with 9 or 10 tee times an hour all filled with single golfers !

Solo golf is fine, but not at the busy times, ie Saturday and Sunday mornings. Mosy clubs will have some sort of ruling or procedure for these peak times.

 

[mansell]

Mansell, what club do you play out of ?

Must be murder on a Saturday with 9 or 10 tee times an hour all filled with single golfers !

Solo golf is fine, but not at the busy times, ie Saturday and Sunday mornings. Mosy clubs will have some sort of ruling or procedure for these peak times.

then they should have explained that to him,
before he booked is tee that there would be a possibility of playing with others.

 

[mansell]

how would u fee if u rang up for a tee time and were told that there were none available because there were 10 1 balls going out,i know i would be pissed off.
Mike

WHY? They paid for their membership just like you

 

[SammmeBee]

I'm with DCB - it is a bit naive expecting to get out on the first really sunny Saturday morning as a one-ball but they should have told you when you booked that this might happen....

Play with others though, it's much more fun and you become a better golf too...

Just remember it's Crown Golf you're dealing with and TBH they don't really 'care' about the members that much they just want as much money through the till as possible....

 

[golf_bug]

Hi Westy
My club has a policy of no one-balls before 12pm on weekends. This is to ensure that they can get as many people as possible out on the course, and hence, make as much money as possible! Maybe your club has the same policy, but it hasn't been communicated to you. That is unacceptable, especially since you asked specifically about this when you joined.
I like you spend a lot of my golf time alone. That way I do not feel under pressure and I can just play and try new shots etc.
Having said that, I do think there is a time and a place for playing alone e.g. in the evening when it is a bit quieter. You'll get plenty of opportunity to do this in the summer, so just enjoy meeting new people at the course and learning from the good ones!

 

[Smiffy]

WHY? They paid for their membership just like you

Doesn't that sound a little selfish Mansell???
I'd be pissed off as well if all the "prime" tee slots had gone to single players.

 

[mansell]

Hi Westy
My club has a policy of no one-balls before 12pm on weekends. This is to ensure that they can get as many people as possible out on the course, and hence, make as much money as possible! Maybe your club has the same policy, but it hasn't been communicated to you. That is unacceptable, especially since you asked specifically about this when you joined.
I like you spend a lot of my golf time alone. That way I do not feel under pressure and I can just play and try new shots etc.
Having said that, I do think there is a time and a place for playing alone e.g. in the evening when it is a bit quieter. You'll get plenty of opportunity to do this in the summer, so just enjoy meeting new people at the course and learning from the good ones!

I couldn't agree more, and like you said they have not told him. the point I am making is he booked a tee for one and turn up to be told who he is playing with.