dont fit in?

[Fourputt]

  walk18 said:

I don't know, I just feel like they should show just a little class, and at least wear some khakis or even cargos. I don't care if they're good or not, or if they tuck their shirts in (I don't), take mulligans, whatever. I just think there should be some basic respect for the game, even at the cheapest courses. In fact, some of the nicest golfers I've been paired up with wore jeans, I don't even think they were aware that it's not something you should do. I guess it's just a personal pet peeve, it's not something I dwell on though. I'll enjoy my round either way..

Um.... if you don't tuck in your shirt, then you've got no business at all telling anyone else how to dress for golf. I personally don't care if you tuck or not, but since you started it, you got to take the heat. This time of year I wear jeans quite often. It's cold, sloppy, and it's considered perfectly proper to wear them at my home course, and at most courses I play. When I play a course with a dress code, then I follow it. During the summer I wear nice looking shorts. I always wear good golf shirts. I've lived in the Rocky Mountain west for 46 years, and here jeans are considered formal wear in many circles.

[senorchipotle]

some of my best times were playing with rich frat boys back in college. i was playing scratch back then, and at our university course, could easily go under par when they decided to take care of the greens. they'd see some black kid walking the course with old clubs, a t shirt and athletic shorts, and would often let me in on their group. sometimes i'd sandbag it a few holes, and sometimes i'd come out guns blazing. it was lots of fun, though.

[lcfd42]

Don't worry about others. Just get awl backwoods and go "Boo" (Weekley) on then and pass the flask of scotch around. If they don't loosen up, drop them at the turn when you pass the clubhouse. Don't let some wannabe jackass ruin your game. I've dropped several off at the clubhouse, and fell out of several pairing because they were just too anal to have a good time. I like to visit the "snooty" courses on occasion just to see how stuck up they can act especially when I intentionally get a little loud. Just to mess with them. What is the most hilarious thing is too see someone like that tee up on the first in front of about 20 or so people, waggle and prep for 5 min. before their swing and then shank it across the opposing fairway. I have to laugh. It brings a little humility home to them. Money can't buy everything, and in a lot of cases that goes especially for the golf swing. Better yet, go to one of their courses; get paired up with some of them and whip em with a set of $50 pawn shop specials and a beat-up 10 cent yard sale putter. You can see little devils in their eyes.
Give em' hell and have fun.

[obiwan21]

You need to find a different place to play. I worked in a factory just after I graduated from college so I could pay the bills. Not only do I play golf with alot of the folks I worked with there, but they're still some of my closest friends. We are by no means refined, but we're not hillbillies either. I'm sure to some people we look "unrefined", but I could give a crap, golfing is the main way I stay connected to those folks to this day, so if you're playing somewhere that you feel looks down on you I say "screw 'em" and find somewhere you feel comfortable, even if it's not as nice of a course.

[Zeph]

Some people have mistaken the term "gentleman" with "obnoxious" and "uptight". They are best left alone and ignored.

[Greg]

I think it shouldnt matter what you wear to play, your conduct on the course means more than what you look like and what clubs you have or how much money. Most of the time when you think people are watching you, they're not even paying attention, golf is a game where you have to conscentrate on what you're doing. Now there are times when a course gets crowded and groups get backed up like on weekends and such, just try to relax and stay focussed during that time. If someone behind you is acting inappropriately, as long as you dont feel they're going to physically attack or hit into you, ignore them. Some people just like to get under others skin and if they see its not working, they'll give up. I do get impatient sometimes, especially if im playing alone and have to wait for people in front of me but usually if they hold me up too much they'll politely ask me to play through if the course isnt crowded. When im playing during the week its not crowded so it seldom becomes an issue and on weekends Ive got all the free time in the world so i dont sweat it. Im lucky a lot in that I can find an opening where I can play through and not get held up. One course I played at a lot last year very few people played at. Its not the nicest course(it used to be much nicer ive heard) but ill give no waiting and no rushing sometimes to play there. Its a pretty short 9 hole course, the greens are the big thing, they're in bad shape though they were working on trying to fix them late last year, hoping they're nicer this year. I hope the course doesnt close and I enjoyed playing there, had some holes with unique challenges and tough greens to hit, very small. You will meet all kinds playing golf, ive only met 2 people since ive been playing that i hope i never see again, the rest have been quite friendly and just out to relax and have a good time. One thing i will do this year if I decide to play on a workday before work(i work 2nd shift) is that i will give myself more time so I dont have to rush or stress out as much if Im waiting or playing slower. I think that is the problem with some, they never really had time to be there in the first place, those are times when you should go to the range and/or putting green and work instead of playing.

[Gioguy21]

I dress like i'm on tour, go about my business even keel, never throw a club, act as though i've been playing for years. Sure i have a good time, joke with they guys i'm playing with and keep good pace...but the last thing you'll see me do is hit into someone, or take any crap from someone else. I had a guy in the club championship say something to me (i'd never been a member till last year),"oh look at this guy...shows up decked out like he's at the PGA...lol...$5 bucks he puts it in the woods? anyone? anyone" when i was on the first tee...I placed 6th in the championship flight, birdying the first hole...(he took 23rd). It's a game reserved for gentlemen and ladies, which seems like more and more it's falling to the wayside b/c people pick up the game without understanding or learning more than just a swing. I hope this doesn't come across as rude or snooty but I've been playing since i was 6...and learned at an early age the value of etiquette, including the judging of others (or the lack of it)...seems like it's losing it's luster to jeans, tee shirts and less responsibility.

[MSDOGS1976]

There are 2 private clubs in my small town. One for the 'rich' or wannabe and one for the 'rednecks' or working class. I belong to the second. At one time we had a reciprocal agreement where if your home course had a tournament going on and you were not entered, you could play at the other club that weekend without playing with a member or being invited. You just showed up with ID and they verified with a member list they had from your club. Of course you paid a greens fee. Well my group did that one weekend and we went in the bar/grill afterward which was part of the deal. Ordered food and drinks which were all charged backed to my club membership with a surcharge for handling. Again, all fine and dandy. But as we were eating a group of their members came in and looked at us like we were from Mars. One even said 'what's up with this $h_t?' We all just sat there, ate our lunch and didn't say a word to them. Left with no problem on our part. And I can assure you, we were all dressed appropriately.

But the agreement ended after that season. One can still play at their club, you just have to play with a member. I know several of the members and are friends with them, but I haven't been back. Our club actually has the better course. They just have the nicer club house.

[parplease]

I play in Jersey. And you get all types of players out there. I don't have a consistent foursome, and I play as much as I can. Introduce yourself, shake hands, and play golf. The rest is up to how they act. If they're jerks, ignore them. If you enjoyed them, get their number and try to hook up to play again. But get your moneys worth and let no interrupt the fun that golf brings! Good luck.

[Gioguy21]

  parplease said:

I play in Jersey. And you get all types of players out there. I don't have a consistent foursome, and I play as much as I can. Introduce yourself, shake hands, and play golf. The rest is up to how they act. If they're jerks, ignore them. If you enjoyed them, get their number and try to hook up to play again. But get your moneys worth and let no interrupt the fun that golf brings! Good luck.

Where at in NJ? If you're not too far I'll play with you sometime...

[parplease]

I play (or try to at least) all over. Live in Edison, favorite places to play in my area: Galloping hill, Royce Brook, Heron Glen, and Knob Hill. The only place I've played in PA is Morgan Hill. Beautiful place, but a really tough course.

[senorchipotle]

  Gioguy21 said:

I dress like i'm on tour, go about my business even keel, never throw a club, act as though i've been playing for years. Sure i have a good time, joke with they guys i'm playing with and keep good pace...but the last thing you'll see me do is hit into someone, or take any crap from someone else. I had a guy in the club championship say something to me (i'd never been a member till last year),"oh look at this guy...shows up decked out like he's at the PGA...lol...$5 bucks he puts it in the woods? anyone? anyone" when i was on the first tee...I placed 6th in the championship flight, birdying the first hole...(he took 23rd). It's a game reserved for gentlemen and ladies, which seems like more and more it's falling to the wayside b/c people pick up the game without understanding or learning more than just a swing. I hope this doesn't come across as rude or snooty but I've been playing since i was 6...and learned at an early age the value of etiquette, including the judging of others (or the lack of it)...seems like it's losing it's luster to jeans, tee shirts and less responsibility.

precisely the stuck up attitude we've been talking about. of course golf is a sport of etiquette, integrity, honesty; but to equate irresponsibility with wearing a t shirt and jeans is pretty damn stupid. i've played at country clubs here in the south with 100,000 dollar initiations where guys wear jeans. i'd love to see you call them irresponsible. see, i walk 90% of the time when i play. so i'd rather be comfortable instead of cute. i always honor dress codes, but they are correlated to the club, not the game.

[Gioguy21]

  senorchipotle said:

precisely the stuck up attitude we've been talking about. of course golf is a sport of etiquette, integrity, honesty; but to equate irresponsibility with wearing a t shirt and jeans is pretty damn stupid. i've played at country clubs here in the south with 100,000 dollar initiations where guys wear jeans. i'd love to see you call them irresponsible. see, i walk 90% of the time when i play. so i'd rather be comfortable instead of cute. i always honor dress codes, but they are correlated to the club, not the game.

before you jump down my throat *coughs* forgive me sir. relax. I'm not stuck up in the slightest. My point was this, you go to a muni....people are wearing jeans, tee shirts, etc...more often then not greens are pock marked and hardly if ever fixed, divots and spare peices of sod are in the fairway. All I'm saying is this: (and i'm ssuuuuuuuure chipotle will say something) if you dress, act, respect and treat the course/game as it should be, I have no problem with you. If you cant put yourself together in a decent fashion (which btw might/probably is more comfortable than jeans), what makes me think you're going to be fixin a mark? tappin after you scuff your feet? fix a divot? Dress proper, act proper, dress lazy, be lazy...can't wait to see what comes of my opinion

*edit* just to say, I'm not talking about full on, name brand, spotless ironed, dry cleaned slacks...sweater vest...knickers or whatever. I'm just sayin a polo, shorts with or without cargo, or pants...

[Gioguy21]

  parplease said:

I play (or try to at least) all over. Live in Edison, favorite places to play in my area: Galloping hill, Royce Brook, Heron Glen, and Knob Hill. The only place I've played in PA is Morgan Hill. Beautiful place, but a really tough course.

I played morgan hill (believe it or not) two weeks ago...first time. Beautiful course and will def be back when it's nicer to play there. Ever venture up to the Rockaway/Poconos?

[sean_miller]

  Gioguy21 said:

before you jump down my throat *coughs* forgive me sir. relax. I'm not stuck up in the slightest. My point was this, you go to a muni....people are wearing jeans, tee shirts, etc...more often then not greens are pock marked and hardly if ever fixed, divots and spare peices of sod are in the fairway. All I'm saying is this: (and i'm ssuuuuuuuure chipotle will say something) if you dress, act, respect and treat the course/game as it should be, I have no problem with you. If you cant put yourself together in a decent fashion (which btw might/probably is more comfortable than jeans), what makes me think you're going to be fixin a mark? tappin after you scuff your feet? fix a divot? Dress proper, act proper, dress lazy, be lazy...can't wait to see what comes of my opinion

I'm not sure exactly what you're saying at it's kind of changed along the way. Every course has their own version of what's acceptable regarding fashion. Before playing somewhere new, my friends will phone the proshop and get a feel for what to wear. We don't want to look like trailer trash, but we don't want to look like Tour wannabes either. In Western Canada, jeans may or may not be frowned upon - "jeans" is kind of a loose term. Some people would consider dress pants with jeans style pockets unacceptable. Others may consider baggy pleated dress pants dated and somewhat gay. Even the pro-jeans people can probably imagine a style of denim trousers that would stand out like a sore thumb.

[Gioguy21]

  sean_miller said:

I'm not sure exactly what you're saying at it's kind of changed along the way. Every course has their own version of what's acceptable regarding fashion. Before playing somewhere new, my friends will phone the proshop and get a feel for what to wear. We don't want to look like trailer trash, but we don't want to look like Tour wannabes either. In Western Canada, jeans may or may not be frowned upon - "jeans" is kind of a loose term. Some people would consider dress pants with jeans style pockets unacceptable. Others may consider baggy pleated dress pants dated and somewhat gay. Even the pro-jeans people can probably imagine a style of denim trousers that would stand out like a sore thumb.

Understood it's changed along the way. This is a bit out of control at this point. I'll reiterate. Call me a fundamentalist, call me what you will. I'm not saying dress like a tour pro, and I'm not saying dress like white trash. Find a middle ground...are you guys tellin me you'd rather play in a pair of denim jeans then a pair of either (again, NOT saying slacks) pair of pants of some sort or shorts (Cargo or not) and a polo? To understand the game in its entirety; not just 18 holes and clubs with a little white thing, but rather golf itself. The game is about responsibility, etiquette, and honesty. Etiquette for the rules and the manor in which you conduct yourself in all aspects of the game, not just whos farther from the hole. Responsibility for ones scorecard, and finally honesty. Honesty not just in the sense of "yes, i hit it out of bounds" but honesty to the game. I play with all kinds of people and have never ONCE been called snooty or have an elitest view. Sorry, maybe it's hard to comprehend but there are people out there who treat golf as the game as it always was.

[sean_miller]

  Gioguy21 said:

Understood it's changed along the way. This is a bit out of control at this point. I'll reiterate. Call me a fundamentalist, call me what you will. I'm not saying dress like a tour pro, and I'm not saying dress like white trash. Find a middle ground...are you guys tellin me you'd rather play in a pair of denim jeans then a pair of either (again, NOT saying slacks) pair of pants of some sort or shorts (Cargo or not) and a polo? To understand the game in its entirety; not just 18 holes and clubs with a little white thing, but rather golf itself. The game is about responsibility, etiquette, and honesty. Etiquette for the rules and the manor in which you conduct yourself in all aspects of the game, not just whos farther from the hole. Responsibility for ones scorecard, and finally honesty. Honesty not just in the sense of "yes, i hit it out of bounds" but honesty to the game. I play with all kinds of people and have never ONCE been called snooty or have an elitest view. Sorry, maybe it's hard to comprehend but there are people out there who treat golf as the game as it always was.

I guess there are a lot of other people who don't equate wearing pressed pants, tucking a polo shirt, and looking down one's nose at others as having a propensity for fixing ball marks and a natural enthusiasm for replacing divots. Some people (me included) may actually find these attitudes to be inconsistent with observed behaviour. I've followed many groups who take pride in being pro shop fashionistas, yet refuse to fix their ball marks and scuff marks. Having said all that, I have no doubt you and your group have good etiquette and display the utmost respect for the course - that's probably why you think people who show up on the first tee in a T-shirt, hoodie, relaxed fit jeans and trail shoes are ubdoubtedly etiquetteless neanderthals.

[Gioguy21]

  sean_miller said:

I guess there are a lot of other people who don't equate wearing pressed pants, tucking a polo shirt, and looking down one's nose at others as having a propensity for fixing ball marks and a natural enthusiasm for replacing divots. Some people (me included) may actually find these attitudes to be inconsistent with observed behaviour. I've followed many groups who take pride in being pro shop fashionistas, yet refuse to fix their ball marks and scuff marks. Having said all that, I have no doubt you and your group have good etiquette and display the utmost respect for the course - that's probably why you think people who show up on the first tee in a T-shirt, hoodie, relaxed fit jeans and trail shoes are ubdoubtedly etiquetteless neanderthals.

never once mentioned neanderthals...nor pressed pants...nor looking down one's nose. and never once said that those who dress the part fix every mark and/or divot. Did I? Sorry but my point seems to be missed. How hard is it really? Didn't mean to OBVIOUSLY ruffle feathers...it wasn't me btw who correlated t-shirt, hoodie and relaxed fit jeans and trail shoes with neanderthals btw...