Where do you change your golf shoes?

[Deleted member 15344]

I just do not understand the need for a rule or request over this. Who ever decided this and then puts up a sign in the car park saying it(yes seen lots of such signs at golf clubs)

You do not have these kind of rules at a tennis club, football club, bowls club etc. Just a rule for the sake of a rule imho.

As I said earlier a lot of clubs did it to try and encourage people to go into the clubhouse and indeed the bar to spend money - there used to be a stigma about car park golfers ie turn up play golf then go home.

 

[graham64]

The problem with changing in the car park is at my club one room is often used for private functions. If people are dressed up for a wedding or something similar it's not going to be great getting out your car if there's a mess all over the carpark

 

[Orikoru]

As I said earlier a lot of clubs did it to try and encourage people to go into the clubhouse and indeed the bar to spend money - there used to be a stigma about car park golfers ie turn up play golf then go home.

Wow, I can't imagine playing a round of golf and not having a pint afterwards - perish the thought!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The problem with changing in the car park is at my club one room is often used for private functions. If people are dressed up for a wedding or something similar it's not going to be great getting out your car if there's a mess all over the carpark

I do understand that but as someone else has pointed out, you walk your trolley across the car park to your car. Debris can fall off your shoes and trolley during this. You then walk towards the club, more falls off. All that is saved is people banging their shoes together and throwing the excess on the floor. I can't say I have ever noticed a car park being excessively covered in grass and mud from a course. The club needs to protect its income though so everything helps I guess.

 

[moogie]

Car park every time. Same as 99% of golfers that I come across at my club or others that I play at. I've yet to meet anyone in person who cares about this. Only on this forum is it an issue.

This......100%

Never heard anybody mention it in all the time I've played golf until joining this forum

 

[Slime]

I should add, for those that are vexed by this issue, I have genuinely never seen a sign in any golf club car park asking people not to change their shoes in the car park. If I did I would go to the changing rooms. In the meantime, car park it is.

There's a sign in the car park where I play.
However, if I'm not already wearing my golf shoes I'll still change in the car park because when I finish my round the changing rooms are usually locked up!

 

[Imurg]

I just do not understand the need for a rule or request over this. Who ever decided this and then puts up a sign in the car park saying it(yes seen lots of such signs at golf clubs)

You do not have these kind of rules at a tennis club, football club, bowls club etc. Just a rule for the sake of a rule imho.

Same could be applied to dress codes - all hewn from the same rock...
At the end of the day, if the club require/request that you change shoes in the changing rooms then it's disrespectful to not do it..
If the club has no preference as to where you change shoes then crack on.
We're asked to change in the changing room...it's on the way to the shop where you have to check in so it doesn't cost any time.

 

[backwoodsman]

I change out of my golf shoes and into my string vest in the bar. Why waste good drinking time?

But if the bar is shut (on arrival, say) then i change in the locker room because a) that's where my locker is and my shoes are in my locker and, b) that's where the banter is before we go out & play.

I don’t know that we have a rule prohibiting changing in the car park but no-one (that l know of) does. Just seems to be the norm that folk change in the changing rooms?

 

[ScienceBoy]

Local course- car park as there is nowhere else to change.

Other courses- depends, unless there is a sign not to or I go into the lockers for any reason then it's the car park.

Nowt wrong with the car park but my preference is always in the locker room.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I just do not understand the need for a rule or request over this. Who ever decided this and then puts up a sign in the car park saying it(yes seen lots of such signs at golf clubs)

You do not have these kind of rules at a tennis club, football club, bowls club etc. Just a rule for the sake of a rule imho.

Bowls clubs have been knwon to have this type of rule, just as they have rules on dress codes....same with some tennis clubs.
If a club has a rule, then either obey it or go elsewhere thats the simple answer. It's just a respect thing.

 

[Robster59]

I always change in the locker room for a number of reasons:

• Our club requests you do not change shoes in the car park.
• By changing in the locker room it allows me to meet other members, chat to them, see how they're doing etc.
• I can check on notices in the locker room.
• I always go into the clubhouse after the game.
• I just consider it good manners/etiquette.

In my experience 'car park golfers' tend to use the clubhouse facilities less and also socialise less as a result.

 

[Region3]

Car park for me.

If there's a sign requesting you not to, I'll change shoes in my car.

I also smoke, use a huge ball marker, and have a remote electric trolley. It's a wonder anyone will play with me.


I also don't buy the argument that it's to get people in the bar.

If I am forced to change in the locker rooms, when I finish the round....

Go to car to put clubs away (if I don't want to leave them unattended while I change)
Go to locker room to change shoes
Go to car to put shoes away (if I don't want them with me in the bar)
Go to bar

That is far less likely to happen than...

Go to car. Put clubs away and change shoes
Go to bar

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think a lot of clubs will have the car park golfer who turns up, plays, chucks the clubs in and goes. Many reasons for this and while I'd rather they spent cash to help club profits it's not the end of the world.

I like changing in a locker room. Don't feel so rushed and can take my time to get ready. Have changed in car parks before where no notices to state otherwise but it's hardly a heinous crime if someone does this anyway

 

[upsidedown]

Wherever, at home club in car park but not always. We've a very small locker room with only small amount of lockers.

Away club , probably in locker room .

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I change mine where they are meant to be changed into.

 

[Hosel Fade]

Drive there wearing golf shoes if its not the roll up in winter where I will have tea/bacon or whatever first. If playing away will always change in locker room. My place isn't bothered re changing in the car park so I do change shoes there afterward

 

[Jamesbrown]

Is this actually an issue? Like really?

Get clubs out of car, change shoes if I haven't drove in them. Pay money. Play.

Finish round, clubs in car, change shoes. Have a pint.

Can't see how it gets people into the clubhouse. If a man wants a pint, he will damn well have one.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Is this actually an issue?

No, it only becomes an issue when you don't follow the rules of the club you are playing at.

 

[Copernicus]

Sitting in the drivers seat of my car usually.

 

[Orikoru]

Is this actually an issue? Like really?

Get clubs out of car, change shoes if I haven't drove in them. Pay money. Play.

Finish round, clubs in car, change shoes. Have a pint.

Can't see how it gets people into the clubhouse. If a man wants a pint, he will damn well have one.

I was just about to say this. Where I change my shoes has no bearing on whether I have a pint or not. I pretty much always have at least one after a round, changing my shoes in a different location wouldn't alter that. I think you're either the kind of guy who wants a pint after a round or you're not. Shoe changing location irrelevant.