Charlie Rymer Says "No Tee Times!"

[iacas]

I think Charlie's off base here. People don't get "put into a game." They play games, generally speaking, among the same group of people all the time. Maybe Tuesday is one group and Thursday another, but the point stands.

People hate showing up expecting to play at 12:30 only to find out the earliest they're going to get out is 1:15. Tee times let you know when you're playing, just like a TV schedule lets you know when your show is on, and an appointment lets you know when the person with whom you're meeting should be able to see you.

Only a few places can get away with "no tee times."

[phillyk]

I know of a few private clubs that limit rounds played per day so walking on could be really easy. But beyond that, tee times are routine.  I doubt many members at clubs actively call to make times because after a number of years, they are practically expected at certain times.  

[David in FL]

10 minutes ago, iacas said:

I think Charlie's off base here. People don't get "put into a game." They play games, generally speaking, among the same group of people all the time. Maybe Tuesday is one group and Thursday another, but the point stands.

People hate showing up expecting to play at 12:30 only to find out the earliest they're going to get out is 1:15. Tee times let you know when you're playing, just like a TV schedule lets you know when your show is on, and an appointment lets you know when the person with whom you're meeting should be able to see you.

Only a few places can get away with "no tee times."

This, exactly.

[jamo]

I don't even really understand his point. I've never been a member at a private course, but I imagine you can still show up whenever, right? They just put you out as soon as they can?

[nevets88]

If everyone just showed up whenever they wanted to wouldn’t wait times be worse? That’s what I would guess.

[iacas]

42 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

If everyone just showed up whenever they wanted to wouldn’t wait times be worse? That’s what I would guess.

They were at Downing two summers ago when they had no tee times.

[bkuehn1952]

I wonder if Mr. Rymer would prefer that all members avoid set groupings and be open to play with whomever showed up?  I have never been a member at a club but I can see where cliques will form among some members.  Discouraging pre-set groupings would tend to let all the members mingle and become acquainted.

Still, tee times and playing with your three buddies seem so standard that no one is likely to embrace Rymer's idea.

[iacas]

10 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

I wonder if Mr. Rymer would prefer that all members avoid set groupings and be open to play with whomever showed up?  I have never been a member at a club but I can see where cliques will form among some members.  Discouraging pre-set groupings would tend to let all the members mingle and become acquainted.

Still, tee times and playing with your three buddies seem so standard that no one is likely to embrace Rymer's idea.

It’s nice in theory but doesn’t really seem to happen in real life.

[David in FL]

1 hour ago, jamo said:

I don't even really understand his point. I've never been a member at a private course, but I imagine you can still show up whenever, right? They just put you out as soon as they can?

Exactly.  
 

But more importantly, I can simply open the tee sheet on my phone and reserve any available time.  Setting a specific time ensures that I don’t waste my time waiting for to get out.  

I know that I can jump on a cart, hit a few balls to warm up, roll a few putts, and be on the first tee within 15 or 20 minutes of rolling into the parking lot.

38 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

I wonder if Mr. Rymer would prefer that all members avoid set groupings and be open to play with whomever showed up?  I have never been a member at a club but I can see where cliques will form among some members.  Discouraging pre-set groupings would tend to let all the members mingle and become acquainted.

Still, tee times and playing with your three buddies seem so standard that no one is likely to embrace Rymer's idea.

I don’t need my club encouraging or discouraging me to play golf with anyone!  That’s not I pay them for.

[jmanbooyaa]

It sounds unrealistic, what prompted this? 

[Buckeyebowman]

Went to the top and realized that there was a poll accompanying this thread. I voted FOR tee times! I want to have some idea when I will be teeing off! I grew up in the days when you showed up, stuck a ball in a long metal tube, and waited for the starter to pluck it out of the bottom to announce the fact that your group was next on the tee! 

There would be 40-50 guys hanging around the first tee, and the pressure was immense! The new systems and technologies make things much easier these days! 

[Shindig]

I can only imagine what the L.A. City courses (or just about any municipal course) would be like without tee times.   It's busy and hectic enough with tee times. 

[ncates00]

4 hours ago, iacas said:

I think Charlie's off base here. People don't get "put into a game." They play games, generally speaking, among the same group of people all the time. Maybe Tuesday is one group and Thursday another, but the point stands.

People hate showing up expecting to play at 12:30 only to find out the earliest they're going to get out is 1:15. Tee times let you know when you're playing, just like a TV schedule lets you know when your show is on, and an appointment lets you know when the person with whom you're meeting should be able to see you.

Only a few places can get away with "no tee times."

100% agreed with you; Charlie is off base.  People have lives outside of golf.  Tee times are the best way to honor people's time and how they manage the countless other commitments they have in their lives.  

[vonbonds]

My club doesn't have tee times and it works really well. If 1 is open you can on up there. if it's occupied you can wait in the group or groups behind it. If you want to tee off on 10 you just tell the pro shop you're thinking of it and as long as no one is anywhere on 9 (not even the tee box) you're cleared to go on 10.

 

[iacas]

10 minutes ago, vonbonds said:

My club doesn't have tee times and it works really well. If 1 is open you can on up there. if it's occupied you can wait in the group or groups behind it. If you want to tee off on 10 you just tell the pro shop you're thinking of it and as long as no one is anywhere on 9 (not even the tee box) you're cleared to go on 10.

It can work at a minority of clubs. Not at most.

[David in FL]

35 minutes ago, vonbonds said:

My club doesn't have tee times and it works really well. If 1 is open you can on up there. if it's occupied you can wait in the group or groups behind it. If you want to tee off on 10 you just tell the pro shop you're thinking of it and as long as no one is anywhere on 9 (not even the tee box) you're cleared to go on 10.

 

If it works for you, that’s great, but what happens if you want to play with your group at 10:00 next Saturday, maybe because you absolutely have to be home by 3:00, but you get there and find 20 other guys wanting to play at that same prime time?

No thanks.  I’ll make my time well in advance knowing that it’s mine, and I can manage my own day.  I’d never join a club that didn’t afford me that courtesy.  

[geo63]

6 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Went to the top and realized that there was a poll accompanying this thread. I voted FOR tee times! I want to have some idea when I will be teeing off! I grew up in the days when you showed up, stuck a ball in a long metal tube, and waited for the starter to pluck it out of the bottom to announce the fact that your group was next on the tee! 

There would be 40-50 guys hanging around the first tee, and the pressure was immense! The new systems and technologies make things much easier these days! 

A while back I was telling my neighbor about those tubes. He couldn't believe it. 

Back then I played most of my golf at Tamer Win. Always just showed up. If the lot was full we headed to Northwood or another course that wasn't crowded. 

[boogielicious]