societies as guests.

[daymond]

It would be a good idea if the club, before taking a booking, obtained a reference from any courses they had previously used.
Our society is entirely regular golfers all with handicaps from local clubs and our behavior is impeccible 99% of the time.

 

[GB72]

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.

How uncomfortable would I feel in that situation, a lecture before I go out, members watching and waiting for a slip up and people dispatched to issue warnings if there is any issue. What happened to the idea that paying guests are members for the day and should be treated as such. As far as I am concerned a club can make as many checks as it likes and impose whatever conditions it likes but as soon as the club takes your money then you be treated in the same way as any full member.

 

[richart]

My course has been known to have the odd dodgy society. The houses down the first were taking a hell of a pounding.

We have two or three societies some days, but always during the week so they don't affect me. Course is always in good condition at the weekend so they must be well trained.

 

[sweatysock41]

The OP seems to be tarring all societies with the same brush. I am a member of a club and also a member of our works society, which has members of varying handicaps/abilities from a scratch player to 28, not all are official handicaps. We don't have anyone who isn't versed in etiquette by the society secretary. We always play Stableford to ensure that if you can't score you pick up to ensure we delay play as little as possible. This approach has meant that we have been able to play almost all the private courses in the area and are often asked if we want to book again for the following year.

On the other hand I have seen some societies at my club that have behaved in a similarly deplorable fashion to those the OP mentioned. But as it is a proprietory club and the fees are reasonable it is something I have come to accept as being a necessary risk the club has to take when they ask to book to ensure the survival of the club. That does not mean to say I condone the behaviour of this type of society and have on one occasion reported them for wait for it and I can't believe it happened 'taking off their shirts whilst playing the course' - a quick word to the pro and, to be fair to the club they were asked to leave the course.

The behaviour of societies is very much like that of club golfers - you get good and bad. If it is bad make your club aware of it and the likelihood is they will not be allowed back.

 

[sweatysock41]

As far as I am concerned a club can make as many checks as it likes and impose whatever conditions it likes but as soon as the club takes your money then you be treated in the same way as any full member.

I agree Greg but if you saw behaviour that was totally unacceptable and it was a member would you not report it or challenge them?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How uncomfortable would I feel in that situation, a lecture before I go out, members watching and waiting for a slip up and people dispatched to issue warnings if there is any issue. What happened to the idea that paying guests are members for the day and should be treated as such. As far as I am concerned a club can make as many checks as it likes and impose whatever conditions it likes but as soon as the club takes your money then you be treated in the same way as any full member.

Greg,

Sorry that came across as quite austere. The pre-round spiel is actually quite light hearted but there is an underlying necessity because of these protected areas. As for members watching, again, they aren't all armed with binoculars, but will nudge those that venture too close to these protected areas. Sadly weve had a few in the past think the buggies were F1 cars and so rightly were reported back. I'd accept that as responsible behaviour by the members and would hope it happened everywhere

You are paying guests and so are members for the day. As such I'd have thought it would be common sense to abide by the general rules on place of play, caring for the course (littering, pitch marks etc). Fortunately even the new socieities are pretty good 99% of the time but it is that tiny majority that leave the longest impression

 

[GB72]

Yes but as a member I also do not feel that I have people checking out what I am doing as I enjoy my round. Actually, how often do your club do anything if you complain about another member or head out in a buggy if you mention an infraction on the course. I also have an issue with marshalls taking the side of members over guests. Lets take the GM final at the Forest of Arden, we were the last group and had a marshall hounding us and tailing us all the way round because a group of members behind us were not happy that they were being held up. No account was taken of the fact that it was a full competition or that we were waiting on most tees, as far as the marshall was concerned the members have told him that we were holding them up so we were harassed all the way round. Not very welcoming.

If a club takes the money of guests then they should be left to their own devices unless there is a serious infringement. They should not feel that all eyes are on them for their round and certainly they should not have people turning up in buggies to slap them on the wrist for every infringement.

 

[papyt]

i'm sorry for the confusion regarding well organised and properly run societies and the week end warriors my post is concerning.I am referring to the " must have 12-14" to get the society rate and they have non golfers making up the numbers to get a cheap deal,i still stand by my opinion that a h/c cert. is some form of how you should behave on and off the course.

 

[BramallMac]

papyt : which course is it, dare I ask? I live the the NW and am a member of a club, but also organiser for a society, so I can see both sides of the arguement.

Worst I ever saw was a coach load of Americans at my dad's course in Troon. Had all the gear, official handicaps and paid a fortune to play there, but took 5 hours+ and refused to rake bunkers or repair pitchmarks. The Secretary was standing in the car park saying "never again".

 

[Imurg]

i still stand by my opinion that a h/c cert. is some form of how you should behave on and off the course.

It's a peice of paper that proves you've joined a club - nothing more.

Golfers should behave properly on and off the course regardless of whether they've joined a club or not.

 

[HughJars]

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?

In Scotland yes, but then that probably speaks volumes as to what is wrong with the game in England. If you don't encourage people to take up the game and learn (we all had to learn its idiosyncracies) then it starts to die.