Golf etiquette - why is it improper to laugh at the misfortunes of others?

[dfreuter415]

Depends on the situation at hand. I've done it with friends, and have not done it with strangers. I have even laughed at some of my own really poor shots. Humor is a tension breaker, and therefore a good thing on the golf course..........in the right situation.

Agreed. It all depends on with whom I am playing and the nature of the foursome. With my friend Jim who hits it left and hits it right and hits it high and hits it low, it is impossible not to laugh at times. However, with strangers and low handicappers who like to grind, I would never laugh.

[TJBam]

@Michael Lee man you put together some strange ass thoughts that read like a choppy poem.

That being said, you have to read the other person's reaction.   If they look disappointed because they chunked an easy approach on a par 4, they probably don't want to be bothered... just say "chip and a putt for par, no big deal" if you must say something.  If they burst into laughter then jab them a little bit, they'll think it's funny and it's fun to laugh together.  If they get overly angry then remind them they're lucky to have a day job.

But really man your musings about the birds is freaky, I hope you don't ramble on about the birds at your home course... you might develop a reputation.

[shfboyroddy]

I was in a tourney once 4 people. This one guy had a warmup and routine for every shot that would have put anyone to sleep... Do your thing and hit the freaking ball!!!. However, he played very well and was -2 under at the 7th... Now comes the 7th, 550ish yard par 5 elevated tee woods on the left and about 200+ to good landing area.(flat) This guy steps up and hits his first O.B. Lets everyone else hit......steps up and rockets #2 O.B. again... we all figure he is going to take a drop (line of flight he was hooking them out)...reaches in bag #3 teed up and deep into the woods again!!! He literally starts crying and the 3 of us are just at a loss of words and because how pompous he was could barely hold back laughing at him.....He finally hit a solid 5 iron and landed the flat. Good thing for our composure we didnt all laugh out loud until we walked off the tee in front of him going to our balls.......I am sure he heard us laughing but come on man you did it totally to yourself..

[Aflighter]

yeah I know what you mean.with some guys I play with that are not exactly close friends.i do know them by playing the tournaments over the years and id say were golfing comrades but we don't hang out with each other off course.theres been some times where they will say some stuff being angry over a shot that you jusdt gotta hold your laugh in and try not to grin.i will try to say something kinda encouraging like yeah that was a bad lie or something.

[turtleback]

I was in a tourney once 4 people. This one guy had a warmup and routine for every shot that would have put anyone to sleep... Do your thing and hit the freaking ball!!!. However, he played very well and was -2 under at the 7th...

Now comes the 7th, 550ish yard par 5 elevated tee woods on the left and about 200+ to good landing area.(flat)

This guy steps up and hits his first O.B. Lets everyone else hit......steps up and rockets #2 O.B. again... we all figure he is going to take a drop (line of flight he was hooking them out)...reaches in bag #3 teed up and deep into the woods again!!! He literally starts crying and the 3 of us are just at a loss of words and because how pompous he was could barely hold back laughing at him.....He finally hit a solid 5 iron and landed the flat. Good thing for our composure we didnt all laugh out loud until we walked off the tee in front of him going to our balls.......I am sure he heard us laughing but come on man you did it totally to yourself..

Someone's got to say it.  In a tournament you can NEVER "take a drop" after hitting OB.  Instant DQ.

[Golfingdad]

Someone's got to say it.  In a tournament you can NEVER "take a drop" after hitting OB.  Instant DQ.

On Sunday, a guy in my group hit a shot that bounced 3 times on the cart path and into the flower bed ... or perhaps through the fence and OB.  Don't know for sure cuz we couldn't find it.  He then asks "What are my options?"  I felt really bad but tried to tell him as politely as possible ... umm, you don't have any.

[Michael Lee]

I sincerely apologize for my brain fart post about the Ravens; I had too much on nineteenth hole that night.

It's really not advised to combine this forum with alcoholic beverages.

My mind tends to drift from one thing to another as I think about them.

But what is seek is humour on the golf course.  Getting angry while playing

will do you no good.  Instead, if one is able to laugh

at their poor shots, anger disappears.  Try vocalizing words such as:

pathetic, oh beautiful, pitiful, that's ridiculous, oh that is so ugly, etc., all the while

smiling .  Try it!

I already have a reputation as being an intellectual freak and I like birds.

I saw one of the Ravens today humping our plastic owl

[rehmwa]

The only person I'll laugh at is myself.

Even if a friend is laughing at himself, I'll likely smile only (because he's laughing, not because of the shot) and still sympathize quietly.

I can't read another person's needs, so I just respond like I'd wish others to respond if it was me.

[Rewster66]

Agreed. It all depends on with whom I am playing.

I agree, some guys can't take a good "ribbing" or "hazing", so I am careful of how I interact with some people....., but my regular buddies are fair game cause they will not cut me any slack either...,lol

God Bless!!! Ray

[Michael Lee]

Why don't we just wrap up this thread with that - God Bless you All

[dave s]

#9 hole at my home course has a bern / moat / wall just in front of green.  10' wide water hazard, rock wall, then green.  To complicate matters, the hole is 390 from the tees we play.  A layup 2nd shot is a popular option due to the complete carry to the green.

Last year, my buddy skulls his 3rd shot pitch to green.  Ball hits the rock wall, straight back at him and you guessed it ... right in the crotch!

How can you NOT laugh about that one?!!!

dave

[Michael Lee]

Depends, had your friend been seriously hurt, breaking out in laughter would be very inappropriate; instead a more Stoical approach (grace under pressure) is needed.  I carry my cellphone in my golf bag for golf course emergencies.  After a trip to a hospital and suppose he's okay, laughter about the incident should be archived into the club's history.  For example, when I was only ten, I managed to get my hand stuck in a cigarette vending machine at my club.  At the time (Circa. 1976), some young "friend" told me to put my hand into the machine's dispenser, and push a button; a free pack of cigarettes would be mine and at the time I did not smoke.  I found this button and pushed it and the electro-mechanical machine made a loud noise and clamped down on my fingers.  The general manager was called, and he started to completely go unglued; he called the fire department and when they arrived, a firefighter turned my hand to the left and gently pulled my wrist.  Suddenly, my hand popped out completely intact.  God bless those guys.