Public golf course etiquette?

[kzoo1]

Unfortunately, what you have/are witnessing is a sign of the times. It's not just the golf course, but all of daily life.

I have a theory on why this is happening to our society:

Way back in the first half of the 20th Century, people who worked together, tended to live in the same area as their coworkers. People would get together after work, on weekend, holidays, and special occasions. Everyone on the street knew everyone else, they knew each other's kids, pets, cocktail preferences, etc. This close association kept people civil with each other, especially when you might depend on your neighbor for you job, or you provided your neighbor a business service. You had to look your neighbor in the eye.

As our society started spreading out, in the later half of last century, it became more common for coworkers to be spread out all over a given region, you no longer had to interact with your neighbor. It is not that uncommon today to not know the people on your street. Get up in the morning, hop in the car, work all day, drive home, head to the back yard and not even see a neighbor, let alone interact with them.

This, I think is one of the factors that has led to the incivility we see today, no interaction with each other, we don't depend on our neighbors like we used to, and we don't have to look each other in the eye.

Sorry for the rambling...my wife and I have been discussing this incivility lately and I have been working on some theories as to why society has devolved the way it has...

 

[Monkeydad]

Unfortunately, what you have/are witnessing is a sign of the times. It's not just the golf course, but all of daily life.

I have a theory on why this is happening to our society:

Way back in the first half of the 20th Century, people who worked together, tended to live in the same area as their coworkers. People would get together after work, on weekend, holidays, and special occasions. Everyone on the street knew everyone else, they knew each other's kids, pets, cocktail preferences, etc. This close association kept people civil with each other, especially when you might depend on your neighbor for you job, or you provided your neighbor a business service. You had to look your neighbor in the eye.

As our society started spreading out, in the later half of last century, it became more common for coworkers to be spread out all over a given region, you no longer had to interact with your neighbor. It is not that uncommon today to not know the people on your street. Get up in the morning, hop in the car, work all day, drive home, head to the back yard and not even see a neighbor, let alone interact with them.

This, I think is one of the factors that has led to the incivility we see today, no interaction with each other, we don't depend on our neighbors like we used to, and we don't have to look each other in the eye.

Sorry for the rambling...my wife and I have been discussing this incivility lately and I have been working on some theories as to why society has devolved the way it has...

Cliff notes: Obama's fault.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

I've been a lifelong golfer. When I was a kid I didn't have much money, but there was a local course where the owner would let me pay PEANUTS (like $50 to $75, I can't remember) for unlimited golf all year long. He let me have that cheap rate all the way up until I went to college. He gave me some tips and he instructed me on the etiquette of the game. I've always had a reverence for that etiquette and it's particularly discouraging to see the antics that take place on today's course.

There have always been folks who just go out and hack around for fun and haven't learned or been instructed the rules and etiquette, and I completely respect that. However, it's become far more widespread since the arrival of Tiger on the scene. Tiger's done a lot for golf, but it's been a drag that he has lured so many Happy Gilmores out to the fairways. Many public courses have started putting small signs at tee boxes with little 'etiquette tips' and/or 'rules tips'. I think it's a great idea. There will always be jerks who don't care, but I think many people just don't understand or haven't been properly informed of the art of the behavior associated with the game.

 

[Monkeydad]

I've been a lifelong golfer. When I was a kid I didn't have much money, but there was a local course where the owner would let me pay PEANUTS (like $50 to $75, I can't remember) for unlimited golf all year long. He let me have that cheap rate all the way up until I went to college. He gave me some tips and he instructed me on the etiquette of the game. I've always had a reverence for that etiquette and it's particularly discouraging to see the antics that take place on today's course.

There have always been folks who just go out and hack around for fun and haven't learned or been instructed the rules and etiquette, and I completely respect that. However, it's become far more widespread since the arrival of Tiger on the scene. Tiger's done a lot for golf, but it's been a drag that he has lured so many Happy Gilmores out to the fairways. Many public courses have started putting small signs at tee boxes with little 'etiquette tips' and/or 'rules tips'. I think it's a great idea. There will always be jerks who don't care, but I think many people just don't understand or haven't been properly informed of the art of the behavior associated with the game.

You have a point with Tiger's popularity and the new fans he's brought to the game. For proof, all you have to do is watch a tourney on TV and listen for the morons yelling "IN THE HOOOOOOOOOOLE!" as soon as Tiger hits the ball.

 

[FreezerBurns]

... Many public courses have started putting small signs at tee boxes with little 'etiquette tips' and/or 'rules tips'. I think it's a great idea. There will always be jerks who don't care, but I think many people just don't understand or haven't been properly informed of the art of the behavior associated with the game.

That is a good idea, I haven't seen that yet. Along those same lines, I think it would be a good idea to dedicate space on scorecards for a list of tips.

Edit: Whether or not people would actually follow the tips is another matter.

 

[ClubmanRob]

That is a good idea, I haven't seen that yet. Along those same lines, I think it would be a good idea to dedicate space on scorecards for a list of tips.

Just like Putt Putt!

 

[FreezerBurns]

Just like Putt Putt!

Hahaha! ...that's sad.

 

[_JP_]

The dog walkers could actually be prosecuted on two violations: Not picking up after their dog, and also trespass because they did not pay the green fee.

The other stuff is mostly a matter of education. There was a time when the expected behaviors from someone on the golf courses was passed along by the experienced players in the group. That doesn't appear to be happening now.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I play once or twice a week. I have never seen any of this.

Even at the "cheap" or "backwoods" coarses i play sometimes, there is still a greenskeeper busting his *** to keep the coarse in best shape possible.

 

[English]

It is a matter of neighbourliness, civility, courteousness and etiquette.
Its about education and upbringing. It's also about getting a clip round the ear when you don't get the message.

But nobody educates the uneducated and nobody gives you a clip round the ear any more because the offender has his rights.
The sandal wearers are winning and the streets are covered in litter and graffiti.

Unfortunately, you are just seeing on the golf course the type of behaviour that has become commonplace in todays society. If it's not in a town near you yet, believe me its on the way.

The truth is, most of us are at work all day and just don't get to see the way life has become and the younger generation does not always have the same priorities as the one you were brought up to respect.

Sad.

 

[kwk285]

I grew up playing country club golf. There was a dress code, golf shirt and long slacks. No shorts and jeans were allowed. To this day 30+ years later I wear that on the course.

Shoes- Tennis shoes or golf shoes only. No flip flops, sandals, or bare feet.

On course etiquette- Fix ball marks, fix divots, no talking/moving while others are swinging. Booze is for the 19th hole. No yelling across the course unless you are yelling Fore.

Over the years I have seen a lowering of standards at the different courses. I think this is due to the Tigerization for the game. Tiger is the best golfer of the last decade. He has brought a lot of money any excitement to the game. He has also brought a lot of new fans to the game. Their views of the game aren't as traditional as mine. That is their right.


I just choose to play at courses that keep the standards at the levels that I like and I play with a group of guys that hold similar views to mine.

 

[FreezerBurns]

...
The other stuff is mostly a matter of education. There was a time when the expected behaviors from someone on the golf courses was passed along by the experienced players in the group. That doesn't appear to be happening now.

That's probably accurate. A shame too because (at least for me), golf etiquette is part of and enhances the whole golfing experience.

 

[scooby074]

Are there no marshals on this course?

My old course had 2. They traveled around on golf carts. Sat on the service paths like police looking for speeders Any stunts like the ones mentioned in this tread would have got you a warning first, then would get you tossed if you didnt heed.

They also kept the play moving along, by getting faster groups to play through. Although most people had the proper etiquette to let faster groups through on their own.

 

[Kratos]

It's not just golf, as has been mentioned. People just don't seem to know how to conduct themselves anymore. People barely know their neighbors these days. I think it's a mix of the general decline in manners, and the expansion of the fan base from Tiger. A lot of people jumping onto the courses without a clue.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Marshals, shmarshals, I think we need to get Ouch out there with a Shillelagh!

 

[Fnord5]

How about just drive a couple of balls at the offenders with one of your woods?

 

[Commander Quan]

The worst I have seen was on a busy Sunday afternoon. There was a group of 5 guys who all must have decided to go golfing for the first time in their lives that afternoon. Most of them where wearing sleeveless undershirts, and they looked like a bunch of Shriners in a parade driving their carts all over the place looking for their balls.

 

[BEAR DEN]

I live in a very layed back area and I have been playing golf for 2 years now...I have never witnessed anything close to what you have described. I would complain to management and or take your business other places.

 

[ClubmanRob]

The dog walkers could actually be prosecuted on two violations: Not picking up after their dog, and also trespass because they did not pay the green fee.

Now, I realize we're talking about pay-to-play public courses, but what about private/public courses such as neighborhood courses that are open to everyone in the subdivision and their guests? They may as well change the name of neighborhood courses to "dog park and teenage dope spot". In my experience the neighborhood courses are one step below public courses. They usually don't have an attendant on duty except on the weekends, and people (especially if it's anywhere near "ritzy" a neighborhood) feel it is their right, and their sworn duty, to let their dogs crap everywhere on the greens. Teens feel it's their own personal stomping ground, and don't get me started on the people that actually play there!

 

[RazorDingo]

Blaming Tiger Woods for this? Come on, people.

There is one group of people you can blame for the incidents described in the first post: The management of the course.

It is up to the the people working in the pro. shop etc. to set and enforce clothing regulations. They also need to have rangers or other course personnel out making sure that joggers, bike riders, and dog walkers aren't allowed to freely wander over the course. And when there is a danger of lighting, there should be an audible siren - as well as designated places to take shelter.

I can only speculate as to why the management of this public golf course allows this sort of behavior to take place. Maybe the course receives funding from the municipality, and has had its budget cut. Whatever the reason, you should bring these violations to their attention, and demand that they address the problems.