Playing Golf when the Course is closed

[nykfan4life]

I never understood how this worked. My local muni is empty, no one is there, its closed, pro shop, restaurant, offices, etc are all closed and empty. Are you allowed to just go any play golf? Or is it that you just do it and if they catch you you're in trouble?

[Want2PlayMore]

My course did that once but they put a note on the door saying that play was allowed.Walking only.

[IcemanYVR]

My friend and I did that when we were in our late teens... The course was closed, but playable, albeit in February.

We finally got kicked off, but the strange thing was the course never reopened, and is now a BMW/Jaguar dealership.

[nykfan4life]

I'm just wondering if it is kosher to do this

[tjy355]

I'm just wondering if it is kosher to do this

Most definite answer is "it depends on the course."

Some may allow it, others may not.

[pshizz]

thats funny that this thread was just made, because i just went onto a closed course like 20 minutes ago. I played around 8 or 9 holes with my buddies. No one was there and we didnt get kicked off or anything.

[Pat007]

We do this all the time here. When winter is coming, the nicer private courses close way before the public courses, so we hop on and play. Last November we hopped on at Kanawaki (private course where the movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played" was filmed) and played 36 holes in 5 hours. The course had been closed for 2 weeks, and the greens and fairways were nicer than the course we play in the middle of the summer. I'd say try it, the worst that could happen is you get kicked off.

[beachbreak]

When I was a youngster, we did it all the time at Bethpage Black. We would walk out to the fourth hole away from the roads and start playing. Funny thing, back in the 70's we did this on a rainy day and met up with a guy who was doing the same thing. He was visiting from California and the #1 player on the USC team. If the rangers or maintenance crew spotted us we were kicked off. It was well worth the embarassment.

[iWALK18]

Yeah I've been out at the local muni a few times this year. There is nobody there, the course is easily playable in terms of wetness, and the flags are even in... I guess the worst that can happen is they ask you to leave, but I heard they were giving out trespassing fines a couple years ago, which I find pretty flimsy.

[HoosierGolfer]

My home course has addressed this topic in the past. When the course is closed, the course is closed. The course closes on election day every November and opens the first day of April.
I'm sure there are exceptions but I think I would get a clear answer from the course manager so as to not get into the dog house.

[kafka01]

I guess the worst that can happen is they ask you to leave, but I heard they were giving out trespassing fines a couple years ago, which I find pretty flimsy.

Do you guys also sneak out on golfcourses in the summer without paying greenfee? Where is the difference in your opinion to sneak out on a closed course and just playing a course without greenfee. I dont see any, and imo fines are totally fine if you get caught.

[Pat007]

Yeah I've been out at the local muni a few times this year. There is nobody there, the course is easily playable in terms of wetness, and the flags are even in... I guess the worst that can happen is they ask you to leave, but I heard they were giving out trespassing fines a couple years ago, which I find pretty flimsy.

wonder if the fine was cheaper than the green fee??

[iWALK18]

No I have never ever snuck onto a course in the summer. I am always willing to pay a greens fee.

If there were a sign saying "course closed" I would not play.
If the flags were not in, (They aren't in at the other muni up the road, hence I don't play there) I would not play it. They have every flag in and every tee marker out at this course.
If it were a private course I would not play it.

It has been insinuated to me by grounds crew members that i should just walk on if the course is dry, but like I've said I have heard other stories which seem to contradict this. The first time I'm asked to get off the course will mark the last time I walk on. I'm ready to deal with any legal repercussions from my actions (although I would absolutely be fighting any fines imposed on me without some sort of warning or request to have me leave.)

[iWALK18]

wonder if the fine was cheaper than the green fee??

haha, unfortunately no. non member greens fee for 18 without cart is something like 40 dollars. Rumored trespassing fine was 75. I like your thinking though!

[RemyM]

I never understood how this worked. My local muni is empty, no one is there, its closed, pro shop, restaurant, offices, etc are all closed and empty. Are you allowed to just go any play golf? Or is it that you just do it and if they catch you you're in trouble?

Is it OK to take items from a store when the door is open and no one is in there?

[Surefire]

Is it OK to take items from a store when the door is open and no one is in there?

I like the analogy, although I guess it would be closer if the store was closed, but the door was open for whatever reason. Maybe like a builders merchants, where the store is actually a big yard, so can't be secured in the same way as a building.

In a similar vein is it ok for me to put a 4 on my card if I got a 5, but noone saw me?

[David in FL]

Is it OK to take items from a store when the door is open and no one is in there?

For those that might be struggling with the ethical dilemma here, I'll give you a hand. The answer is no.

Not getting caught while trespassing (or stealing for that matter) doesn't make it ok.

[iacas]

The course remains private property. You're trespassing.

I have no qualms about playing at the two courses listed in my signature during the winter. I'm a member at both and know the pro. I've already paid for the year's membership, in fact. And on days like that, I'm careful not to disturb or destroy anything, particularly if there's frost, soft greens, etc.

But would I just show up at a course at which I have no membership? Heck no. That's trespassing. Go find a public field somewhere if you want to whack some balls around.