medwayjon
Tour Winner
Cerrunos, it is Royal St Georges who insist on 2-balls 99% of the time mate.
Should I Say Something ?
- Thread starter User 105
- Start date
Cernunnos
Journeyman Pro
Cheers, thanks medwayjon, I knew it was a course somewhere down there, but wasn't positive which course it was.
How well does the 2ball only system work?
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
I would never join, or pay to play anywhere where it is two balls only.
I would always expect to be made up to a 4 on Saturday morning.
I would always expect a 4 hour round on Saturday. If you haven't got 4 hours, don't play.
2 balls on Saturday mess up the entire course. They expect to go round in 2 1/2 hours, have to play through about 10 groups, which adds about 40 minutes to everyone elses round as they stand about, letting them play through.
To expect to be a 1 ball on a saturday is naieve at best, selfish at worst (sorry Westy, but Saturday is the busiest day of the week, even at 7.30, which some would view as the best time).
Yes, they should have told you, but if you assume they think you have experience of golf, there is no way they would think you would not expect to be made up to a 4 on Saturday.
I would always expect to be made up to a 4 on Saturday morning.
I would always expect a 4 hour round on Saturday. If you haven't got 4 hours, don't play.
2 balls on Saturday mess up the entire course. They expect to go round in 2 1/2 hours, have to play through about 10 groups, which adds about 40 minutes to everyone elses round as they stand about, letting them play through.
To expect to be a 1 ball on a saturday is naieve at best, selfish at worst (sorry Westy, but Saturday is the busiest day of the week, even at 7.30, which some would view as the best time).
Yes, they should have told you, but if you assume they think you have experience of golf, there is no way they would think you would not expect to be made up to a 4 on Saturday.
Leftie
Tour Winner
Westy
By the sound of it it's a case of poor communication on the club's behalf. e.g. "Yes. No probs if you want to go out on your own (unspoken... provided the course isn't busy..)."
The very fact that you had to book the tee time indicates that it was a busy time when other members wanted to play and it would be unfair to be a singleton at that time thus preventing others from playing.
At previous clubs where I have been a member and they had booking systems in place, it was the done thing for newer members, or those who were unable to make up a 3 or 4 ball on a particular day, to book a tee time for themselves knowing that the remaining places in that time slot would be filled. An ideal way for a newby to get to know people.
By the sound of it it's a case of poor communication on the club's behalf. e.g. "Yes. No probs if you want to go out on your own (unspoken... provided the course isn't busy..)."
The very fact that you had to book the tee time indicates that it was a busy time when other members wanted to play and it would be unfair to be a singleton at that time thus preventing others from playing.
At previous clubs where I have been a member and they had booking systems in place, it was the done thing for newer members, or those who were unable to make up a 3 or 4 ball on a particular day, to book a tee time for themselves knowing that the remaining places in that time slot would be filled. An ideal way for a newby to get to know people.
Dave3498
Q-School Graduate
Clubs receive a lot of their income from green fees, thus subsidising the annual membership fees. Taking your argument to it's logical conclusion Westy, it would be pretty sad and costly if everyone was allowed to book a tee-slot as a single player. I agree that you should have been informed by whoever controls the booking system at your Club, so that you could have decided whether or not you wanted to go that day. In answer to your question, you should certainly find out what the guidelines are concerning singles booking an exclusive tee-slot.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Littlestone (another great links course down this way) is two ball only....either singles or foursomes, they don't care which. But a fourball is a definite "no-no"...
I much prefer the banter that goes on in a fourball, but having played Littlestone a couple of times in the past I certainly wouldn't pass up a round there just because it meant I could only play a singles match.
The course is fantastic.
I have played Royal St Georges twice now, with a group of mates. Had no problems whatsoever either time knocking off as a fourball by the way.
Rob
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
I'd leave it as you don;t want to get a reputation. If you want to play solo rounds you'll know that Saturday and Sunday mornings are a no-no. I went off at 2.00 yesterday and had the course more or less to myself so could play two balls. Once the lighter nights come around it'll be easier to roll up later in the day and get out
pigmeister
Assistant Pro
Westy, am i right in saying that you booked to play at Chestfield Down? This is a pay and play course. Although you may have a membership, i would think it only entitles you to book your tee times in advance, which you did. But what you have to realise is that courses like this and Stevenage need greenfee money to survive. Like it has stated in previous posts if you have 10 singles wanting to play on their own the course is losing at leased 20 greenfees, and at £20 each thats a lot of money. Chestfield has changed hands a few times, every time due to money problems. I was also wondering why on a saturday morning you would want to play on your own inbetween 3&4 balls and take 6hrs to play a round of golf?
viscount17
Money List Winner
pigmeister, Chesfield is pay & play as you say but there are 'protected' members only times, no pay & play Sat/Sunday before 12.
Westy, I think Leftie has it, poor communication. imo, your best bet is simply to get confirmation of when solo rounds are acceptable. You will probably be asked why you're asking so don't get riled when you explain. 7:30, even 7:00 is prime time.
Westy, I think Leftie has it, poor communication. imo, your best bet is simply to get confirmation of when solo rounds are acceptable. You will probably be asked why you're asking so don't get riled when you explain. 7:30, even 7:00 is prime time.
rgs
Tour Rookie
At weekends i would not expect to get at club to allow single players early in the morning as this is the time most members wish to play.
At quiter times i would expect clubs would have no difficulty with single players.
Westy you could seek clarification on when single players are allowed play.
At quiter times i would expect clubs would have no difficulty with single players.
Westy you could seek clarification on when single players are allowed play.
shagster
Head Pro
sounds like poor comunication, but speaking from experience, where we turn up and play, i have gone out latish on a saturday morning, and taken an hour to play 4 holes then walked in. too painfull. its best to play in groups at peak times, but 4 balls can really slow things up. also, we can play from first light to dark, so plenty of time in the summer.
Herbie
Tour Winner
Westy, try and use tact but you paid your money, you are a member and especially if they gave you the clear impression that its ok to play on your own, tell them so!
A lot of clubs still have the attitude that a single player has no real clout or standing but its all rubbish, you have a right as a paid up member and you should make that clear to them.
If a Pro or particularly a well known pro turned up at any club and wanted to play on their own it wouldnt be a problem, so it shouldnt be a problem for a fully paid up member either.
You booked the tee, its your tee time and they should be doing the asking and not swopping it over so you have to re-book or play with them, it was your tee.
A lot of clubs still have the attitude that a single player has no real clout or standing but its all rubbish, you have a right as a paid up member and you should make that clear to them.
If a Pro or particularly a well known pro turned up at any club and wanted to play on their own it wouldnt be a problem, so it shouldnt be a problem for a fully paid up member either.
You booked the tee, its your tee time and they should be doing the asking and not swopping it over so you have to re-book or play with them, it was your tee.
fastmover2
Assistant Pro
Sums it up exactly. If they accepted your booking as a single then you should of been allowed to play as a single unless YOU chose otherwise.
However as a new member I would keep a low profile for the time being and see what the true picture is on this.
TBH as others have said you were a bit naive expecting to play as a single on a saturday morning though!
slaznick
Medal Winner
Hi Westy
As a fellow member of a crown golf course (Abbotsley) I was not surprised to hear that they did not inform you of the change (although as a few of the others have said pretty much everything from first light on till midday is prime time at the moment)
I have found that the membership managers (I assume there is one at Chesfield?) will say pretty much anything to get your dosh out of you and then go back on their word (I was promised a load of free stuff, shoes, jumpers etc. if I upgraded my membership this year and then after they got my money they told me they had made a mistake, very sorry but that's it)
I think that as a new member you don't necessarily want to fall out with the committee as they are fellow members (or the pro's as they can really help your game) but the membership manager is fair game!! It may be worth mentioning to him or her that this has really annoyed you and goes against the reasons that you joined the course in the first place, you never know, you may get a freebie out of it (I'm not suggesting this is what you would be after but gift horses etc)
As a fellow member of a crown golf course (Abbotsley) I was not surprised to hear that they did not inform you of the change (although as a few of the others have said pretty much everything from first light on till midday is prime time at the moment)
I have found that the membership managers (I assume there is one at Chesfield?) will say pretty much anything to get your dosh out of you and then go back on their word (I was promised a load of free stuff, shoes, jumpers etc. if I upgraded my membership this year and then after they got my money they told me they had made a mistake, very sorry but that's it)
I think that as a new member you don't necessarily want to fall out with the committee as they are fellow members (or the pro's as they can really help your game) but the membership manager is fair game!! It may be worth mentioning to him or her that this has really annoyed you and goes against the reasons that you joined the course in the first place, you never know, you may get a freebie out of it (I'm not suggesting this is what you would be after but gift horses etc)
