societies as guests.

[papyt]

in these hard financial times and with revenue falling at most golf clubs has anybody else's club lowered its standards.For example we have a few societies visiting the course and to say some have never played golf before and to them its a bit of a day out drinking is an understatement,the turn up with borrowed or a half set from a boot sale and literally rip the course to bits.leave rubbish strewn around and the etiquette is non existent.I remember the days when you had to produce a current h/c cert before they let you out on the course,and i always have a copy of mine if playing at another course just in case but times have changed it seems,and how many times must i ear the excuse " we are keeping your green fees down pal!"if you say anything to them "no,i pay over a £1 ooo a year to keep the course in a condition that wants you to play here".

 

[Rooter]

i can understand some groups may be lacking in etiquette etc, but clubs need money! end of!

I am sure that a poor society who wreck the course etc, would not be welcomed back next time...

PS. are you always grumpy? every post I have seen from you is a moan! LOL no offence meant.. ;-)

 

[GreiginFife]

Can't really comment Papyt, my course hasn't really needed to lower the standards as we have full membership even at an increased rate this year.
I feel for you though if that's what's happening at your place, that sounds god awful.
We allow societies to visit however these are limited and if they are seen to be damaging the course then they are asked to leave forthwith...
I remember a year or so back at a friends course I was horrified to see someone on the course wearing denim jeans swigging from a bottle of beer on the 4th green, when I mentioned it my friend just shrugged as it was becoming the "norm" - that's just not on in my book.

 

[rosecott]

PS. are you always grumpy? every post I have seen from you is a moan! LOL no offence meant.. ;-)

Hadn't you noticed he's from the NORTH WEST.

 

[Wolfman]

Tough one this and the clubs are to blame, they want the extra revenue yet do little to filter out the rogue groups or police them while at the course ( lack of staff etc etc )

You have little choice but to accept it or move to a club that charges less and expects a lower standard of conditions but you can still enjoy a game

 

[louise_a]

I am from the North West and I am never grumpy!!!!

I dont think my club has many society days, and then membership is now full according to the new members meeting.

 

[Lump]

Our company works society is having our second outing on saturday. Out of 16 players I am the only one to have a official handicap. Some of the guys have only played 4-5 months and are very aware of not making a fool of themselves or our group.
All of the new guys are in a group with at least one 'golfer' to aid them around the course. I'm very happy to go around with any of the new guys. Since I started the society we've had 4 new people take up golf and they love it.
Not every group you see are out there to hack your course up. They do indeed aid to lower your fee's but they should respect your course

 

[papyt]

i am not always grumpy just on days with a y in them.as for memberships my club has a full membership and is financially better off than most,it just seems that money is ruling the roost at present.

 

[papyt]

Our company works society is having our second outing on saturday. Out of 16 players I am the only one to have a official handicap. Some of the guys have only played 4-5 months and are very aware of not making a fool of themselves or our group.
All of the new guys are in a group with at least one 'golfer' to aid them around the course. I'm very happy to go around with any of the new guys. Since I started the society we've had 4 new people take up golf and they love it.
Not every group you see are out there to hack your course up. They do indeed aid to lower your fee's but they should respect your course

that is my point,out of 16 only one has an h/c cert. would they have been allowed to play on a private course 10 years ago?

 

[louise_a]

The place I used to work had golf days at Mere in Cheshire upto about 10 years ago, a very expensive club to join, they didnt bother about handicap certificates although that fact that the guy who owned our company also own Mere might have had something to do with it.

 

[Andy]

So glad we don't get such behavior in Scotland.

 

[papyt]

So glad we don't get such behavior in Scotland.

do your guests have to show a certificate andy.

 

[Lump]

that is my point,out of 16 only one has an h/c cert. would they have been allowed to play on a private course 10 years ago?

But does a official handicap mean they gain the right to play all courses?
All but the newest guys have unofficial handicaps under 20 and play alot of golf... but aren't members anywhere.
Times change, attitudes change. Its no longer 10 years ago. We as members need to welcome money into our clubs with open arms.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Papyt

Your club Admin staff really need to get their act together.
Don't blame the Society, blame the club for allowing it to happen.

 

[Andy]

do your guests have to show a certificate andy.

They sure do. Pro is right on the ball. And Andy with a capital please ;-)

 

[papyt]

has anybody took a society to wentworth or the london or clubs in that status and bailed out of a s reg transit van,giving it loads on the car park etc and NOT been asked for certificates or were not allowed to play if no certificate was shown.LUMP i thought the idea of a certificate ( not a made up number ) was to prove some kind of competence.

 

[bobmac]

I would say if you know there is a society booked on your course, pick another day to play if you can.

 

[GB72]

It is something that I have rarely experienced as at my old club the rule was no societies or pay and play golfers at weekends. Only people on the course were members and their guests. This does, however, appear to have changed a little at my old club with some pay and play golfers at weekends. If I was playing in the week and saw a society booked in then I would not bother if I could not get out ahead of them. This was not for any problem with societies but rather you cannot play through one easily and it is no fun being stuck behind one.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My club does have societies but I think they tend to be repeat visitors. First time groups do tend to get quite a vigorous introduction and we usually have a committee member on hand to explain the do's and don't as we've environmentally sensitive areas which golfers are strictly prohibited from entering. There are usually enough members out and about to police the course anyway and any wrong doing is reported and a buggy is sent out.

 

[Imurg]

i thought the idea of a certificate ( not a made up number ) was to prove some kind of competence.

A handicap certificate only proves that you've joined a club and have put 3 cards in.
Nothing more.
It's no guarantee of competence or knowledge of the rules.
Anyone can join a club, hack it round in 200 and get a handicap of 28. OK not all clubs will accept it but lots will.
And no offence to those off 28, but a 28 handicap proves nothing.