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What's your worst experience as a guest?

Perhaps we need an Irish speaking mod to ensure that Crawfy and Bladeplayer are not using unacceptable sweary type words.
 
Perhaps we need an Irish speaking mod to ensure that Crawfy and Bladeplayer are not using unacceptable sweary type words.


:D:D:D.... you should hear us talk real time in the english language , ask Phil & Gibbo. even more confusing than the cupla focal as gaeilge ...

Mods i promise focal is not a bad word :D
 
The trouble is people are not. And the game in the long term will suffer.

To quote GM's esteemed editor in this months GM "I believe they (dress codes) can contribute to putting off newcomers off getting into the game and discourage golfers from spending more time (and money) at the club."

In this months Todays Golfer a survey of 1000 of their readers found 71% thought it was time to ditch dress codes. To quote their editorial "Whilst the process of modernising may be difficult in some circumstances, clubs need to wake up and realise that the long term future of the game is more important than the length of someones socks'

And I am pretty sure if I dug enough back copies of Golf World out I could find much the same quote from their editor.

To quote the MD of the Centurian Golf Club in this months Todays' Golfer " We are more concerned with running a business than the length of someones socks. Telling people off for their dress shouldn't have a place when you are trying to create an inviting ambiance which encourages people to spend money". I think we have a member of this club on here, may be they could tell us if this has resulted in the club being invaded by hooded youths in flip flops as seems to be the extrapolated scenario when you relax dress codes, according to some on here.

To quote Dennis Pugh " Being told how to dress is a crazy concept in a game for enjoyment. What someone wears won't spoil my enjoyment of the game, but their poor knowledge and bad manners will. The game must attract new people or become a niche sport for snobs."

So all the major golf publications seem to think it is an issue, as does the MD of one of the most high profile new clubs that has opened recently.

So just taking the Canute like and in my opinion myopic stance of 'If you don't like the rules then that's your problem' may possibly not be the best thing for the future of the game. And actually you could argue it's more the game's problems.

Depends entirely on your viewpoint. If I want to sit in a lounge with a load of guys in cut off denims and football shirts I can do that in my local boozer. I don't expect it at my golf club. There is plenty of smart trendy golf gear available at reasonable cost so absolutely no reason whatsoever for people not to conform.

TBH all this talk of stopping people playing the game because of dress codes is rubbish, if you cannot be bothered to wear a reasonable shirt and trousers, them what else could you not be bothered to do?

Some clubs want to maintain a standard, if you don't want to do that... fair enough play some where else.;)

Well said that man :thup:
 
Depends entirely on your viewpoint. If I want to sit in a lounge with a load of guys in cut off denims and football shirts I can do that in my local boozer. I don't expect it at my golf club. There is plenty of smart trendy golf gear available at reasonable cost so absolutely no reason whatsoever for people not to conform.



Well said that man :thup:

Yes, because that is what will happen. As if you say that people can wear what they feel comfortable in then all the kind of people who wear football shirts and cut of denims whatever the hell they are will be gagging to go for a drink in a golf club bar. I bet they spend all their time saying 'this townie pub with it's high proportion of young females and banging tunes is great, but I'd rather be sat with a bunch of middle to old age men in a golf club bar. Taxi, take me to the golf club bar post haste"

Get real, the majority of people will still dress the same in their same golf uniforms, as currently golf attracts that kind of person. And talk of the vast majority of clubs being over run with hooded youths, football shorts or whatever other apocalyptic scenario you chose to bring up to try and prove your point is just an antiquated fantasy.

It's nothing to do with being trendy, but to do with treating people who want to spend their hard earned money with you like mature adults who are able to make a decision themselves on what is appropriate to play a sporting pass time.
 
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Yes, because that is what will happen. As if you say that people can wear what they feel comfortable in then all the kind of people who wear football shirts and cut of denims whatever the hell they are will be gagging to go for a drink in a golf club bar. I bet they spend all their time saying 'this townie pub with it's high proportion of young females and banging tunes is great, but I'd rather be sat with a bunch of middle to old age men in a golf club bar. Taxi, take me to the golf club bar post haste"

Get real, the majority of people will still dress the same in their same golf uniforms, as currently golf attracts that kind of person. And talk of the vast majority of clubs being over run with hooded youths, football shorts or whatever other apocalyptic scenario you chose to bring up to try and prove your point is just an antiquated fantasy.

Thats exactly what you see people wearing at Tilsworth Golf Club near here digging their way around the golf course - it has a very relaxed dress code and people take advantage of that.

Golf clubs have dress codes because they like to keep to certain standards. If people feel those standards are not for them then dont play at those golf clubs - quite simple.
 
And who is that hurting?

The other golfers who would rather not seen them digging up the golf course whilst acting like footballers - because that is exactky what you see on that place.

And it hurts the golf club because it struggles to attract members.
 
The other golfers who would rather not seen them digging up the golf course whilst acting like footballers - because that is exactky what you see on that place.

And it hurts the golf club because it struggles to attract members.

On the other side of the coin I've seen plenty dressed like this at local munis. As this is the easiest option for people to get into golf and enjoy a game should we really be driving them away with quibbles on what they're dressed in. I guess you could argue as they progress and join a proper club there's a need to respect the code and traditions but as an starting point do muni's really care about dress codes and should they anyway?
 
On the other side of the coin I've seen plenty dressed like this at local munis. As this is the easiest option for people to get into golf and enjoy a game should we really be driving them away with quibbles on what they're dressed in. I guess you could argue as they progress and join a proper club there's a need to respect the code and traditions but as an starting point do muni's really care about dress codes and should they anyway?



I tend to agree with this.
My club is a muni and we see all kinds of dress.
In the summer there was a guy with no shirt on at all.
I don't like jeans,football etc on the golf course but surely its down to the quality
of the establishment.
I always dress smart,and when im invited to an away course I always adhere to the rules.
I believe that people who start in golf dressing down soon realise that its better to dress smart
and change their attitudes accordingly.
 
I do think the dress code argument is a red herring. This year a 'smart' Jean was allowed in our clubhouse, the world is still spinning on its axis:o

It's more of a green fee issue. No one is going to come to ours and chop it up, wheel spin buggies etc because it's £60 a round, that tends to keep the riff raft out:D

Our visitors tend to be limited to societies, corporate days, guests and a few twilight deal fellas. It works well.
 
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Thats exactly what you see people wearing at Tilsworth Golf Club near here digging their way around the golf course - it has a very relaxed dress code and people take advantage of that.

So are you saying that if they wore 'Golf' clothing they'd suddenly stop 'digging their way around'? Because NONE of those wearing 'Golf'' clothing 'dig their way around'!

And that ALL those who wear 'non-Golf' clothes dig their way around?

Seems a bit snobby/snooty to me!

Seems like a 'starter' course where Golf can be experienced without a huge outlay. Those who become hooked will almost certainly come to realise that 'Golf' clothing is actually much better to play Golf in anyway!

The Shire has only a couple of Dress Code items (no Denim; Soft Spike Golf shoes required) that apply only on the course (doesn't apply to kids) and I've not seen anyone 'take advantage' of that minimal code - poor taste excepted. :rolleyes:
 
I've not had a bad experience as a guest. Lucky me!

One old chap gave me a bit of a look when I was a youngster though.

I had never been on a course previously, knew nothing about course etiquette and had decided that a bench next to the 9th tee was a rather pleasant spot to partake of my peice n cheese (cheese sandwich) and can of coke. A group of elderly gents approached, one of them looking aghast at 2 young oiks having their 'peice' on the bench, before asking if they could play through.

Play through???? What's he talking about thought I with a puzzled look on my cheese smeared face.

The look of disgust grew.

'Can we go in front of you' asked one of his more genial friends?

'Certainly, no problem, I didn't know what you meant there, we've just stopped for a peice cos we're starving' was my response.

'Bloody shocking' says the one with 'the face on'.

'There ye go', says the decent gentleman as he threw a brand new bright orange ball over to me (that I hadn't taken my eye off as I'd never seen one before), 'you have that and thanks for letting us play through'. The words play through accompanied by a wink.

I was delighted, I only had around half a dozen balls and they were all 'tatties'. Plus, I had just been taught my first bit of course etiquette into the bargain.


So, a possible bad experience as a youngster (not as a guest granted, but I think it's relevant) was actually turned into a very pleasant and eternally memorable one due to the friendliness and (I would suggest) ability of someone to notice an absolute novice with no clue of course etiquette but a desire to play the game.


I suspect quite a few folks could learn a lesson from the decent gentleman. :)
 
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So are you saying that if they wore 'Golf' clothing they'd suddenly stop 'digging their way around'? Because NONE of those wearing 'Golf'' clothing 'dig their way around'

Didnt say that at all
And that ALL those who wear 'non-Golf' clothes dig their way around?

Seems a bit snobby/snooty to me!

Again not saying that at all and it will appear "snobby and snooty" when you try and make out im saying something when im not
Seems like a 'starter' course where Golf can be experienced without a huge outlay. Those who become hooked will almost certainly come to realise that 'Golf' clothing is actually much better to play Golf in anyway!

The Shire has only a couple of Dress Code items (no Denim; Soft Spike Golf shoes required) that apply only on the course (doesn't apply to kids) and I've not seen anyone 'take advantage' of that minimal code - poor taste excepted. :rolleyes:

roll your eyes all day long

My thinking will always be the same - if you dont want to wear the standard of dress that some courses require then go and play on another course but if you wish to play at the courses that require a dress standard dont cry and bleat when someone pulls you up on your dress if someone has failed to wear the attire in the correct manner for that course.

i like dressing smart - i think it gives someone a sense of pride in themselves and i like that golf clubs have a sense of standards and a dress code.

I like the fact that golf itself has tradition and standards and people take pride in that .
 
Didnt say that at all


Again not saying that at all and it will appear "snobby and snooty" when you try and make out im saying something when im not


roll your eyes all day long

My thinking will always be the same - if you dont want to wear the standard of dress that some courses require then go and play on another course but if you wish to play at the courses that require a dress standard dont cry and bleat when someone pulls you up on your dress if someone has failed to wear the attire in the correct manner for that course.

i like dressing smart - i think it gives someone a sense of pride in themselves and i like that golf clubs have a sense of standards and a dress code.

I like the fact that golf itself has tradition and standards and people take pride in that .

Im glad its getting colder,perhaps those horrible shorts will go away now:D
 
Turned up a couple of mins late to the first tee and a three ball jumped on the tee and teed off. It was not a problem at all as I was late. Three other guys who were waiting with them saw the first three guys play there second shot onto the green and saw them putt out. I heard one of the guys say when so and so coming. Another guy so oh he's here. That turned there three ball into a fourball and me and my mate thought hang on a minute. I said very politely, " gents we were late so it was not a problem to let you go, but your friends late so would you mind if us two teed off before you four. One of the guys effed and blinded for 30 secs. I told him if it upset him that much to tee off. He then effed and blinded for another thirty secs about how he was gonna. His mate who was late then put a spanner in the works by saying. Your right tash, I,m out of order so please tee off. His mate looked disgusted.

it proper wazzed me off but I shot my lowest ever round that day. What proper gripped my poo was that I mentioned it to the club captain who I knew well and investigated the "incident" and said his 20 yr member never saw the incident in that light. Fair enough and that is why I never joined Rufford.
 
I've not had a bad experience as a guest. Lucky me!

One old chap gave me a bit of a look when I was a youngster though.

I had never been on a course previously, knew nothing about course etiquette and had decided that a bench next to the 9th tee was a rather pleasant spot to partake of my peice n cheese (cheese sandwich) and can of coke. A group of elderly gents approached, one of them looking aghast at 2 young oiks having their 'peice' on the bench, before asking if they could play through.

Play through???? What's he talking about thought I with a puzzled look on my cheese smeared face.

The look of disgust grew.

'Can we go in front of you' asked one of his more genial friends?

'Certainly, no problem, I didn't know what you meant there, we've just stopped for a peice cos we're starving' was my response.

'Bloody shocking' says the one with 'the face on'.

'There ye go', says the decent gentleman as he threw a brand new bright orange ball over to me (that I hadn't taken my eye off as I'd never seen one before), 'you have that and thanks for letting us play through'. The words play through accompanied by a wink.

I was delighted, I only had around half a dozen balls and they were all 'tatties'. Plus, I had just been taught my first bit of course etiquette into the bargain.


So, a possible bad experience as a youngster (not as a guest granted, but I think it's relevant) was actually turned into a very pleasant and eternally memorable one due to the friendliness and (I would suggest) ability of someone to notice an absolute novice with no clue of course etiquette but a desire to play the game.


I suspect quite a few folks could learn a lesson from the decent gentleman. :)

That's a great story, a real heart warmer.
 
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