sneaking on to course behind house

[iacas]

Character is defined by that which you do when no one is watching...

I've always liked this quote. And the Chris Rock skit that includes the line "Whatchoo want, a cookie?" And Bobby Jones' quote about "you may as well congratulate a man for not robbing a bank."

[CG031]

Well, look: if you consider breaking the law "respecting the golf course," then we're going to have to agree to disagree.

Ok, well technically, you're right. It's trespassing. I obviously can't argue with that there, that's not subjective.

What is, in my opinion, subjective, is how big of a deal it is to play a few holes once in a while at 7 or 8 at night? I'm not saying "Go ahead and cut in front of some foursomes on Saturday morning around 10 a.m." No, that is completely unacceptable. But if your going out to try a few holes with no intent of damaging the golf course, I wouldn't call that person a criminal. So yeah, I guess we might as well agree to disagree, lol.

[iacas]

But if your going out to try a few holes with no intent of damaging the golf course, I wouldn't call that person a criminal.

So if someone leaves their front door unlocked, it's okay to go into their house and watch some TV for awhile?

Get real. I can agree to disagree, but the way you're justifying things strikes me as unacceptable. Is it a violent crime? No, but "trespassing" isn't typically violent. Is it a big crime? No - you typically just pay a fine or something. But it's still a crime, though, and that's pretty much the definition of "criminal" - someone who commits a crime.

[golfaddiction]

As a kid I used to sneak onto the private course behind my house every once in a while. I would only play late at night or in the winter, and never when someone was within 500 yards. I'd only play the three holes right near my house, which were pretty far from the clubhouse, and I always wore proper attire.

I knew I was trespassing and was very afraid of getting caught, but as a kid your options are limited. I couldn't drive to the range or the muni, nor could I play in my very small backyard. The rest of my family wasn't really into golf.

When I joined the golf team in high school, I always lost to the kids who grew up playing on daddy's private course. It got me pretty angry that they had 300 dollar clubs and that they've been able to play on nice courses their whole life.

Would you fault an underprivileged kid for sneaking into a university library so he could get smarter?

[iacas]

Would you fault an underprivileged kid for sneaking into a university library so he could get smarter?

More justification and rationalization. That analogy doesn't even compare, and history is full of golfers who grew up underprivileged and yet became great golfers.

But my opinion's now known, so I guess I have nothing more to offer here.

[ERC7.5]

As a kid I used to sneak onto the private course behind my house every once in a while. I would only play late at night or in the winter, and never when someone was within 500 yards. I'd only play the three holes right near my house, which were pretty far from the clubhouse, and I always wore proper attire.

Your parents didn't scold you for this? Wow! I would have been in huge trouble!

I knew I was trespassing and was very afraid of getting caught, but as a kid your options are limited. I couldn't drive to the range or the muni, nor could I play in my very small backyard. The rest of my family wasn't really into golf.

The rest of my family isn't really into golf, we had a very small back yard.....but I surely would never sneak onto a course. I'd go to the local little league fields and hit balls around there if they were open. That was my golf for probably three summers. There are definitely better options than sneaking on (breaking the law and all that goes with it....such as discrediting your families image in the area).

Would you fault an underprivileged kid for sneaking into a university library so he could get smarter?

If he's trespassing? Yes. The cause doesn't justify the means.

[kfowler]

University libraries are also public institutions (unless private of course). I've never been to one that wasn't open to the public. You may not be able to check anything out but you could certainly browse all you want.

[shankapotamus]

As a kid I used to sneak onto the private course behind my house every once in a while. I would only play late at night or in the winter, and never when someone was within 500 yards. I'd only play the three holes right near my house, which were pretty far from the clubhouse, and I always wore proper attire.

That is a terrible analogy.

[tjy355]

Would you fault an underprivileged kid for sneaking into a university library so he could get smarter?

That is a terrible analogy.

Google "Straw Man"

[iWALK18]

So if someone leaves their front door unlocked, it's okay to go into their house and watch some TV for awhile?

By your definition, I would be willing to bet that 99% of everyone in the country could be classified as a "Criminal". We all break laws all the time.

[iacas]

By your definition, I would be willing to bet that 99% of everyone in the country could be classified as a "Criminal". We all break laws all the time.

It's not "my" definition. It's

the definition: a person guilty or convicted of a crime. And I don't knowingly break any laws. Not regularly, not "all the time," and not even seldomly.

[colin007]

no courses close enough to sneak onto, but we play courses that have closed for the winter and dont think twice about it.

ive been out of college for 8 years but i still have my school ID and i use that to get a pretty good discount ($14 for 18 holes...).

[bogeyhitter25]

Do it. It'd definitely be worth it.

[Nosmada]

I Do it all the time, early in the season before courses open, or mid season when its slow. My front yard is a golf course. soemtimes i go and night putt sometimes it wedge shots sometimes i play some holes. Be respectful to the course, and clean up your mess.

[Fat Slice]

OK, so this is an interesting topic for sure. For those who say 100% it's wrong, and it would be criminal, and it shouldn't be done under any circumstances, let me ask this...


How about playing 2 balls (during a paid round) if nobody else is behind you? Is that OK?

How about replaying a hole if there's a huge backup in front and nobody behind?

How about putting or chipping practice on a green after you've finished if the hole ahead is backed up and there's nobody behind you?

Are any of those things OK?

[shankapotamus]

OK, so this is an interesting topic for sure. For those who say 100% it's wrong, and it would be criminal, and it shouldn't be done under any circumstances, let me ask this...

Yes because at least you payed money.

[David in FL]

I continue to be amazed, and disappointed by the number of people out there who struggle with the most simple of ethical questions.

[Fat Slice]

Yes because at least you payed money.

OK, just to ask then, if you go to a grocery store and buy a steak, is it OK to help yourself to the garlic salt by slipping it in your pocket and not paying for it (since, that is, you DID pay for the steak)?