Golf Snobbery

[iacas]

I don't think you've seen true 'snobbery' until you acquire a taste for high-end guitar gear.

Or $800 or $900 for some of the previous TaylorMade TP drivers.

Virtually every hobby has its expensive components. Stamp collecting can be expensive, photography, golf... everything. Look at the Scotty Cameron market. Some of those putters go for $5k. And then look at the old golf clubs, like OLD ones - hickory, made by some master craftsman in 1847 or whatever...

[Baraethon]

I see a bit of this, but not much - the only case I've seen is the occasional rules snob.

Still, my course (semi private) isn't very busy, so I can usually just play ahead a bit, of drop behind on purpose if I really want too.

[brandon_mcg]

yeah my 2k larrivee d-60 guitar kinda makes my golf clubs seem kinda cheap

[M2R]

Last Friday I decided at the last minute to try and get out for 18 but the course was booked solid. I went down anyway on the chance that a slot would open up for a single.

After over an hour of waiting, there was an opportunity to join a threesome of women however the starter did not offer to let me fill the slot so I asked him if I could join them if they would have me. He said "yes if it's ok with them" so I walked down to ask.

I said: "Hello my name is Mike and I was wondering if I could join your group?” One of the ladies stepped over and said: "Yes you are welcome to join us, my name is Chris." and extended her hand and firmly shook mine. She then said this is Joyce and Diane and I shook hands with each of them in turn and said hello. Chris then said what tees would you like to play and I said these are fine by me. We then prepared to tee off and I enjoyed a fine day of golf with three very fine players and golfing companions.

To me this is the epitome of how golfers can interact and I was impressed by it. In my opinion good etiquette, good manners, lack of snobbery or pretense of any kind, just a simple and clean social contract ... "hello, yes please join us.”

I understand that maybe this can't be the expected response for any number of reasons but to me it was sort of remarkable for what it lacked. No hint of well we would rather not play with you but don't really want to come out and say it. There was no hint of you may not fit in because your index is better than ours or ours are better than yours. No apparent sizing up based on social status, gender, dress, grooming, playing ability, brand or conditions of equipment or any of the other stuff that's been discussed here.

Disclaimers, ALL the girls were better than me; in fact you could triple Chris's index and still not come close to mine. Both Chris and Joyce could outdrive me and the women's tees are rated 68.9/128 so they are still PLENTY tough for someone at my level.

[niblick]

I don't look down on anyone on the course. I've gotten my ass kicked enough times by guys swinging cheap clubs to know better.

The people I have a tough time with are the rude, loud, inconsiderate, slow-playing folks. I couldn't care less what your clothes or clubs look like.

[dave s]

Or $800 or $900 for some of the previous TaylorMade TP drivers.

As you can see, I've spent my discretionary (actually earned!) income on guitar gear! Now, if I could get somebody to pay me to play golf ... well, nevermind, that'll NEVER happen!

dave

[PEZGolf]

I'll probably get flamed for this post and probably deserve it because it's a huge sweeping generalization but...

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.

[Sir Shanksalot]

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.

Snob:

One who tends to patronize, rebuff, or ignore people regarded as social inferiors and imitate, admire, or seek association with people regarded as social superiors. One who affects an offensive air of self-satisfied superiority in matters of taste or intellect. Sorry, but you sound like a bit of a snob yourself.

[iacas]

You are RIGHT---there is snobbery eveywhere, including golf. Here is how I handle it.

Sorry, but you sound like a bit of a snob yourself.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Yep.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

Oops, sorry.

Now that you've explained what a wife-beater is, is it possible you would be kind enough to explain why it's called a wife-beater?

[Doctorfro]

I can't believe this thread is still going on.

There are snobs in golf.........and lots of other facets of life. Deal with it.

[mkrolewski]

What about "tight black capri pants"??

Most guys just don't have the legs for them.

[zeg]

Now that you've explained what a wife-beater is, is it possible you would be kind enough to explain why it's called a wife-beater?

As I learned it, it's from the stereotype that the sort of person who wears that type of shirt (other than as an undershirt) is a low-life redneck who, among other unpleasant activities, beats his wife. Not a very PC term, to say the least.

[phil.smith]

I get to travel - a lot - and I have been able to play some of the best courses in the world (and a few that don't rate too highly...). My point is that I always turn up alone and join up with people.

I believe that the reaction you get can be a reflection of the way you present yourself to the group you are joining.

I am a member of private clubs (more than my wife is aware of ) 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!

Then again, maybe its an Australian thing. Fit in, keep up and enjoy. And find the good in anyone....

[Harry Longshanks]

Fit in, keep up and enjoy. And find the good in anyone....

Best post in this thread.

[bradpet]

I can't believe this thread is still going on.

Good point.

Also, it's all very subjective. Just as one person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter, one person's snob may be considered by another as 'a person with standards' (or vice versa).

[i-Guy]

Snobbery is in every sport...I have played various sports ( some at a high amatuer level) and have seen the same kind of stuff everywhere as in golf...for example cycling...I got into cycling to re-hab a knee from a motorcycle wreck (while road racing)...well long story short like with most thing I endeavor in I got serious and wanted to race.  So I bought an expensive road bike (Nishiki...no longer produced) and joined a local club that did weekend rides and had a few racers in the club...I be-freinded one of the racers (who had been selected to the Olympic trials a few years back) and he set me up with a training plan which I worked on hard...anyway to the "snob part"...my wife (at the time) and I would go to the club meetings and social events (pot luck dinners, etc...) and we basically could not get anyone to even talk to us...much less offer to train with me or tell me about any training rides other then the weekly club ride...so I continued to train pretty much on my own.  Hence comes the beginning of the race season and I placed 7th in the first race and then 3rd in the Tour De Louisiana Stage race in New Orleans...WELL let me tell you that things immediately changed...now when we walked into a social event we were basically mobbed and everyone wanted to know if they could train with me and they all wanted to be my best friend...it was weird.

P.S.  there were also equipment snobs...I was riding a bike made in Japan with Shimano components and would get weird look from guys riding Italian bikes with Campanola (Sp?) components...well at least until I hammered them in a ride or race...then they would ask me how I like my bike...Too funny!

P.S.S  Actually that is one of the joys that I take from playing PING G15 irons...in that if I am paried with some people I do not know and they look in my bag and give me that snobby look (like I am not any good because I play GI irons)...I just take even greater joy in scoring better than them using my most awesome PING irons...LMAO!

[Fraser]

Isn't there snobbery in everything? If you haven't noticed snobbishness in a particular hobby or interest you're probably not paying enough attention to notice it's there!