Re: Golf Snobbery
Originally Posted by
Chief Broom 
I'll probably get flamed for this post and probably deserve it because it's a huge sweeping generalization but...
The main thing about golf that has always annoyed me is snobbery. You see snobbery everywhere, not just in golf, but golf just seems to have more than it's fair share.
There's the money issue. Are you a member of the country club or do you play at the local muni. Do you use a hand me down set of clubs (that you bought at the thrift store) or do you have the latest driver, irons, and balls. And if that isn't bad enough this snobbery comes from both directions. The country club snobs wouldn't dare set foot on the muni, and the muni snobs check you out first to make sure you aren't some country clubber slumming on their turf. The scratch golfer using persimmon woods his grandfather made looks down on the high-capper carrying a fancy new driver in his bag. The regulars at the course subtlely check out your bag to see what you're carrying, nothing is said, but the guy with nice stuff gets a bit more respect than the guy who's sporting stuff that's a few years old. And everywhere the good golfers look down on the bad golfers, and the bad golfers think the good golfers simply need to get a life outside of golf. It's crazy the amount of time and attention people put into this and if that's not bad enough golf snobbery is institutionalized. Walk into the club house at most courses and if they don't know you they cop an attitude with you right off the bat. The regulars get respect and the newbs have to wait in line and like it. Put this all together and it's enough to turn a lot of people off on this great game.
There aren't any real solutions to this problem. A lot of it is human nature, but it's always puzzled me how golf seems to bring so much of this out in people. Other sports don't seem to breed such snobbery. Snow skiing and water skiing are both sports where you can drop a load of cash on equipment and where your skill level is readily apparent. But go to the local boat ramp or ski resort and new comers are pretty much welcomed. I've never heard of tennis snobs or bowling snobs. But golf snobs can be seen at any golf course pretty on any given day. Just take your wife or kid out on the course and see how warm of a reception you get when you show up for your tee time before a couple of regular foursomes are set to take off right behind you. Don't get me wrong I'm not ignorant of the underlying reasons for much of where this is coming from, but golf just seems to accept this as a given. As a kid I learned to ignore it. I laughed when the guys at a local semi-private club looked down on me because I wasn't part of the "in" crowd. I knew that most of them weren't much better at golf than me and my money was as good as theirs. But what happens far too often is that unless someone has a connection to this sport, they'd never think twice about giving it a try and if per chance they do catching a full dose of attitude a time or two will probably be enough to steer them away from it for life. Most golf snobs are probably happy about that, and maybe that's the root of much of this: the desire for exclusivity. Golfers don't want a bunch of new people flooding their home course, but if new blood and interest doesn't keep growing golf will slowly die. But for now it's always chapped me that people cop an attitude so easily in golf.
You are RIGHT---there is snobbery eveywhere, including golf. Here is how I handle it---I have belonged to private clubs, public courses, and have played at resort courses and munis. My handicap is 4.2, and I can usually shoot between 72 and 77. When I play with a snob, who is NOT as good as me, I talk very little to him. If he asks for advice as to why he is hitting such AWFUL shots, I say, "See your pro for advice". Most rich people do not spend the time practicing the game to develop any skills, and have NO CLUE as to what to do. They want to play well (who doesn't?), but they think that buying expensive equipment and belonging to an exclusive club will do the trick. It does NOT, unless a player, any player, "pays his dues" at the practice area and the practice putting green. BUT---he does NOT have the time or ambition, so he does NOT improve. It is NOT my job to help him get rid of his bad habits. THAT is his responsibility.
) and there are people who are stand-offish in nature. But surely 5 hours in beautiful surroundings should rub off - even when you are playing awful golf!
