Starters

[Lord Tyrion]

I see the odd post where Starters are mentioned. I've never been a memeber of a club that has a starter and can only think of two where I have played and a starter has been present.

Are they a rarity or is it me?

Are they just used for competitions?

Who, generally, is the starter? Is it someone who previously played but is no longer able? Do people take turns? Does the starter get to go off last?

Starter info required please.

 

[fundy]

Varies

Some clubs have them all the time, often the more expensive clubs, usually "elder" gentlemen. Always one at Forest of Arden when played there, Brocket used to have one too.

Only time we have one is our medals and club champs, and its done by the committee on a rota (and thats enough for me to know ill never be doing it again!)

 

[njrose51]

East Sussex National have something similar to a starter. A couple of gents in a posh hut by the first tees, confirming name and tee times and when it is okay to go. Give details of the course, score cards etc. No ide awho they are - committee, members, volunteers, paid staff etc.

 

[patricks148]

From April to the end of October we have two retired guys who are employed by the club.

They make sure people tee off at the right time, organise caddies and welcome visitors.

They also hand out the cards on comp days and make sure the right people tee off in the right groups. They are also note no shows for tee times and comps, though realistically nothing is done with that info. We are also supposedly getting a marshal this year as well.

Only other clubs up here that have them are Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch.

 

[garyinderry]

A friendly starter is a nice touch at clubs.


Bit of a joke. Maybe a bit of history of the club if time. Any course info needed. Spaces out the groups to minimise traffic jams on the course.

On the whole. Very useful.


Their duties can vary course to course. Lee park had one all the time. They would collect green fees and hand out competition cards. They didn't really go the whole hog of attending the tee. Just the office close to the tee.

 

[IanG]

We have one all the time - with the number of visitors we get they are an essential part of the whole machine. There is a team of about 4 who do it (mostly part time) and they handle all the things mentioned above and more. We are very lucky with the team we have in the Starters Box - friendly, knowledgeable, welcoming and efficient.

 

[IanM]

In 2015 I was between contracts and I did 2 months at Celtic Manor on the golf team... starters hut, course ranger and loitering outside the club house in my red shirt!

Starters duties was great fun... I just did what I'd expect if I visited a resort... warm welcome (hopefully) , hand out cards, tell folk about the yardage markers, buggy rules and stuff to look out for. And wish folk a good game and be nice!

Course Ranger was similar other than trying to diplomatically tell folk to get a move on...cos no one is ever a slow player, are they? EG. "Hi guys...how's it going. Hope you're enjoying the course. .... little bit of a gap in front, anything you can do to catch them up would be appreciated!"

Great fun, just the thing for some beer money when I retire!!

And, I did all that in 3 languages too! And for less than a tenth of my normal hourly rate!

 

[Crow]

We have one at weekends or a big society do.

Course has hotel attached and a few visitor slots so starter is good for getting people away in order and also starts groups in comps on time.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have one on an as and when basis, a guy that does it on a voluntarily. Not there for every competition but works with military precision, as per an ex forces member. Nice chap too. We did have a phase years back when we were inside the race course, when the assistant pro was expected to do it for every comp, male and female. It didn't last long. As we don't have booked tee times outside competitions, it's not a necessity

 

[Region3]

Ours is there weekends, bank holidays and first team matches.

He makes sure people get off on time, and with the help of one of the girls from the restaurant runs the halfway hut.
During the winter he also makes soup at home to sell in the hut and it's the best soup I've ever had.
He'll also run round the course in a buggy if there's a hold up somewhere.

 

[Slab]

Unusual if one isn't there but I do tend to play courses that cater for plenty tourists so not surprising

It'll usually be one of the team that take care of clubs, carts etc etc on arrival and will sort spacing and brief local rules, pin positions, changes to layout or new hazards/GUR etc and if its a comp they'll issue the scorecards

 

[CallawayKid]

We have a starter hut, it appears to be used to store dead flies and wasps though...

CK

 

[mikejohnchapman]

They always had one at Birkdale when i played - always friendly.

They also have them at the Belfrey - the one we had last time was obviously ex-military as he lined us up and lectured us for 3/4 minutes on etiquette rather than local rules. Wouldn't have minded but we were all Cat 1 players and members of other clubs. He didn't even ask - left a poor impression.

 

[User 105]

We have one at ours at the weekend and at busy times as well. Usually tends to be an older retired guy who is getting a free membership for the time I believe.

1st tee is downhill and you sometimes can't see the group in front from the back tee's so it's handy having someone to give you the nod when to go.

Only real trouble is they tent to launch the groups off like planes at Heathrow with no gap in between, so as soon as one group slows, everyone behind them slows.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I do like a good starter, especially one that gives you a heads up on the hazards ahead, what to look out for, and generally makes you feel welcome to be there