Walking is an integral part of the (pro) game

[Deleted member 16999]

What point are you actually trying to make ?

It's approx 4 miles walk round a golf course, to compete and win you need to be able to get round and that includes walking the 4 miles or so to do so. I suspect I would be much fresher come the last few holes if I was to take a buggy round all the way, does being fresher near the end of your round make a difference when it comes to scoring, you better believe it does. I don't even think you should be eligible to take a buggy round in a club comp.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this, I see an issue at the Pro level, but Club comps!
We’ve got a member at our place who had a heart attack late last year, he’s back playing and has the use of a buggy while he tries to get back to full fitness.
Are you really suggesting he should refrain from playing in comps as the buggy gives him an advantage!
What next, ban electric trolleys and make everyone carry!

 

[Hobbit]

What point are you actually trying to make ?

It's approx 4 miles walk round a golf course, to compete and win you need to be able to get round and that includes walking the 4 miles or so to do so. I suspect I would be much fresher come the last few holes if I was to take a buggy round all the way, does being fresher near the end of your round make a difference when it comes to scoring, you better believe it does. I don't even think you should be eligible to take a buggy round in a club comp.

The point is quite simple. Is it a test of walking 4 miles or is it a test of hitting a golf ball?

Arthritis in the back, hip, shoulder and neck stopped me playing the 36 holes in a day club championship(8 miles?). That arthritis now extends to both knees and both elbows. Add to that a heart condition and recovering from cancer.

By using a buggy I'm shooting mid 70's, with the odd round below par.

Are you saying I shouldn't play golf? Really? I wonder if that falls under the Disabilities Discrimination Act()?

 

[Swinglowandslow]

There are clearly a lot of youngsters( under 60?) posting here , seeing the game from their point of view only.
I agree re the Pro game about non buggy use. There is, of course an
advantage using one.
However,
There have been enough comments here about disapproving of buggies for the amateur game . I think that's a different matter. Essentially the amateur game is played for the aesthetic enjoyment of the game itself and the social enjoyment it brings
Are you really going to make it difficult, or embarrassing for someone to use a buggy as an amateur?
IMHO, golf is not a sport, it's a game. The essence is hitting a stationary little ball very skilfully and consistently better than the next guy. If someone can do that, why penalise them if they can't walk as well as you?
Would you feel happy claiming a match against someone who could only make the distance using a buggy, but wasn't allowed to use it 'cos some clubs demanded doctors certificates. Rules are rules jobsworths denying buggy users entry into club comps, say.?
So you get a walkover.
What a way to progress to the next round!!
All right, entry into opens by unknowns using a buggy needs some control to avoid possible abuse, ( there are such creatures who like to win opens at all costs, I understand) , but regular club members entering regular monthly comps for the camaraderie and to get a game etc, is a situation where most
blokes would have no problem with , just because they use a buggy.
As an elderly player who now has to use a buggy for 18 holes , I really wish I could walk it, because, as has been rightly said, it is more enjoyable to walk, easier to concentrate on the golf etc and enjoy the Course etc.
And Much less hassle getting a trolley ready than a buggy, too😀
Hopefully , all you young fit fellas will stay able to walk the course for many years yet till your playing days are over.
Enjoy your game.😊

 

[clubchamp98]

I have just come back from Florida and must say I find it amazing anyone can walk the course in that heat especially the caddy.
The courses are so long and the space between greens and tees is massive.
Watched Daly’s son try to qualify for the US open at Mission Hills .
He seemed to be ok walking there.

They let us play one hour after the USA open qualifiers the course was awesome.

 

[clubchamp98]

There are clearly a lot of youngsters( under 60?) posting here , seeing the game from their point of view only.
I agree re the Pro game about non buggy use. There is, of course an
advantage using one.
However,
There have been enough comments here about disapproving of buggies for the amateur game . I think that's a different matter. Essentially the amateur game is played for the aesthetic enjoyment of the game itself and the social enjoyment it brings
Are you really going to make it difficult, or embarrassing for someone to use a buggy as an amateur?
IMHO, golf is not a sport, it's a game. The essence is hitting a stationary little ball very skilfully and consistently better than the next guy. If someone can do that, why penalise them if they can't walk as well as you?
Would you feel happy claiming a match against someone who could only make the distance using a buggy, but wasn't allowed to use it 'cos some clubs demanded doctors certificates. Rules are rules jobsworths denying buggy users entry into club comps, say.?
So you get a walkover.
What a way to progress to the next round!!
All right, entry into opens by unknowns using a buggy needs some control to avoid possible abuse, ( there are such creatures who like to win opens at all costs, I understand) , but regular club members entering regular monthly comps for the camaraderie and to get a game etc, is a situation where most
blokes would have no problem with , just because they use a buggy.
As an elderly player who now has to use a buggy for 18 holes , I really wish I could walk it, because, as has been rightly said, it is more enjoyable to walk, easier to concentrate on the golf etc and enjoy the Course etc.
And Much less hassle getting a trolley ready than a buggy, too😀
Hopefully , all you young fit fellas will stay able to walk the course for many years yet till your playing days are over.
Enjoy your game.😊

Excellent post.
I must admit I am not really in favour of buggies but this post has made me think.
I am 61 and reasonably fit but would hate to give the game up because of a problem walking.
My main concern is the damage they do , after all you still have to hit the shots.

 

[Imurg]

We're not talking about club comps here though.
If, at club level, someone needs a buggy to be able to play then only the most cold hearted sonofabitch is going to deny that.
We're talking Pro golf.
JD may have osteoarthritis but, according to an earlier post, he has a torn miniscus - that's an injury.
If you're injured you can't play.
I go back to Tony Finau again.
If he'd hurt his ankle so much that he couldn't walk Augusta he would have pulled out of the event.
Sam Torrance kicked a flower pot at the RC, if I remember correctly, and had to pull out of the singles - no buggy there but I bet he could still swing a club.
Most injuries that a golfer will get will prevent them from swinging a club - back, shoulder, wrist problems etc but dodgy knees means you can still swing.
But what if he gets a dodgy stance in a bunker or on a slope and has to conjure up a gymnastic style stance - with a knackered knee that's not happening - and if it does you have to wonder why walking 4-5 miles is out of the question....
The worry was, after the Martin court case, that there would be an influx of buggy use on Tour.....can't say I've seen much.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Had it been a contender this week I'd have said yes it would make a difference but I can't see Daly contending at all. Of course there is the argument that if you give it to one then you give it to all and it does make it hard for the PGA, especially on the back of the Martin case to decide where to draw the line. As others have said, if Daly is that injured he should have politely declined the invite to play and let someone else take his place

 

[Oddsocks]

I can only echo that my point of view relates to the pro game only. If your “ job” is to earn money from professional golf, failure to keep yourself in an adequate health condition to do so is not a naturally developing health condition and as such should not come at the relief of a mobility aid.

The amateur game is a completely different category

 

[DCB]

If a buggy helps you play the full 18 holes then why not. To those who say a buggy in a club comp will give you an edge over the last few holes, the underlying physical condition that requires a buggy to start with will probably mean you are still well knackerd as you get to the end of the round. A buggy is just a means of allowing the player to continue playing the game. Without it, they may well have to stop playing the game.

 

[Hobbit]

I can only echo that my point of view relates to the pro game only. If your “ job” is to earn money from professional golf, failure to keep yourself in an adequate health condition to do so is not a naturally developing health condition and as such should not come at the relief of a mobility aid.

The amateur game is a completely different category

No one asks to get a debilitating illness or condition. And is it right to tell someone they have to limit their lifestyle/excesses, and be in bed by 11pm, or lose their livelihood?

Golf is a sport that requires a certain level of fitness but it is also an entertainment industry. I want to see the best ball strikers, and drive boomers, but I'm not that fussed at watching them walk for 5 minutes then spend minutes discussing how they're going to play the shot. Imagine how much shorter rounds would be if pros used buggies between shots.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

There are clearly a lot of youngsters( under 60?) posting here , seeing the game from their point of view only.
I agree re the Pro game about non buggy use. There is, of course an
advantage using one.
However,
There have been enough comments here about disapproving of buggies for the amateur game . I think that's a different matter. Essentially the amateur game is played for the aesthetic enjoyment of the game itself and the social enjoyment it brings
Are you really going to make it difficult, or embarrassing for someone to use a buggy as an amateur?
IMHO, golf is not a sport, it's a game. The essence is hitting a stationary little ball very skilfully and consistently better than the next guy. If someone can do that, why penalise them if they can't walk as well as you?
Would you feel happy claiming a match against someone who could only make the distance using a buggy, but wasn't allowed to use it 'cos some clubs demanded doctors certificates. Rules are rules jobsworths denying buggy users entry into club comps, say.?
So you get a walkover.
What a way to progress to the next round!!
All right, entry into opens by unknowns using a buggy needs some control to avoid possible abuse, ( there are such creatures who like to win opens at all costs, I understand) , but regular club members entering regular monthly comps for the camaraderie and to get a game etc, is a situation where most
blokes would have no problem with , just because they use a buggy.
As an elderly player who now has to use a buggy for 18 holes , I really wish I could walk it, because, as has been rightly said, it is more enjoyable to walk, easier to concentrate on the golf etc and enjoy the Course etc.
And Much less hassle getting a trolley ready than a buggy, too😀
Hopefully , all you young fit fellas will stay able to walk the course for many years yet till your playing days are over.
Enjoy your game.😊

Not every Club is inundated with buggies, we only have 2 and insist on a medical certificate for use in comps, it’s not being a jobsworth, it’s ensuring those that “actually” need them are given a fair opportunity to book one.

 

[Slab]

Not every Club is inundated with buggies, we only have 2 and insist on a medical certificate for use in comps, it’s not being a jobsworth, it’s ensuring those that “actually” need them are given a fair opportunity to book one.

Think at the local place they have 50
(it might be more the underground storage garage is quite big)


edit: I just googled the price, even the cheapest ones sell at 5 grand minimum. That's a helluva investment/outlay
Would need rented out about 200 times at £25 a pop just to recoup the outlay!

 

[User20204]

Are you saying I shouldn't play golf? Really? I wonder if that falls under the Disabilities Discrimination Act()?

I'm saying you are not competing on a level playing field, you have a clear advantage when it comes to fatigue near the end of a round. By all means continue to play but playing with an advantage in competition is wrong IMO.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

No one asks to get a debilitating illness or condition. And is it right to tell someone they have to limit their lifestyle/excesses, and be in bed by 11pm, or lose their livelihood?

Golf is a sport that requires a certain level of fitness but it is also an entertainment industry. I want to see the best ball strikers, and drive boomers, but I'm not that fussed at watching them walk for 5 minutes then spend minutes discussing how they're going to play the shot. Imagine how much shorter rounds would be if pros used buggies between shots.

Yes, that is about being professional. If they want to abuse themselves that is their choice but there is a consequence to that, speak to Alex Hales on that subject.

Golfers already have an advantage over most other professional sports people in that their careers last far longer. You don't get, on the whole, footballers, rugby players, cricketers, athletes etc playing pro sport well into their 40's. If golfers throw that advantage away because they don't look after their diet, drink too much, smoke etc then more fool them. They have a choice, live with the consequences.

 

[Slab]

I'm saying you are not competing on a level playing field, you have a clear advantage when it comes to fatigue near the end of a round. By all means continue to play but playing with an advantage in competition is wrong IMO.

That must apply to the player with a remote controlled battery trolley V's the guy carrying his bag too though

(although if every comp was played by a field with no advantage whatsoever among the players wouldn't they all shoot the same score?)

 

[clubchamp98]

That must apply to the player with a remote controlled battery trolley V's the guy carrying his bag too though

Trollies are avaliable to everyone who wants to use one , so this is not a valid argument imo.
Buggies in comps are different!
I have no problem with someone who needs a buggy to play the game.
The problem lies with people who don’t need one , but use them anyway as they think they will gain an advantage.
In my experience they don’t give you an advantage they make you stiff sitting down for four hours instead of walking which keeps you warm.

 

[Slab]

Trollies are avaliable to everyone who wants to use one , so this is not a valid argument imo.
Buggies in comps are different!
I have no problem with someone who needs a buggy to play the game.
The problem lies with people who don’t need one , but use them anyway as they think they will gain an advantage.
In my experience they don’t give you an advantage they make you stiff sitting down for four hours instead of walking which keeps you warm.

Whats that now So if someone just thinks they have an advantage despite your belief they don't actually have an advantage then the hypothetical advantage becomes a real advantage and that's to their advantage leaving you disadvantaged

 

[jim8flog]

Agreeing with Slab

Say a player cannot afford to buy an electric trolley and has to carry his clubs round the course.

Do players with an electric trolley have an advantage over those that carry?

Should clubs therefore ban electric trollies in comps because it gives them an unfair advantage over those that have to carry?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Agreeing with Slab

Say a player cannot afford to buy an electric trolley and has to carry his clubs round the course.

Do players with an electric trolley have an advantage over those that carry?

Should clubs therefore ban electric trollies in comps because it gives them an unfair advantage over those that have to carry?

I say we return to the days of Plus Fours and every Gentleman having a 9 year old boy carry his golf bag.
Then we’ll have a level playing field, and, we’re providing work for the local scamps!

 

[Slab]

I say we return to the days of Plus Fours and every Gentleman having a 9 year old boy carry his golf bag.
Then we’ll have a level playing field, and, we’re providing work for the local scamps!

Although a gender-neutral scamp surely or at least gender-undetermined