Just Shut Up!

[Fairway_CY]

I was discussing annoying things on the golf course with my friend last night, and we got to talking about the club I joined this season. Our first tournament was about two weeks ago, and even though I got paired with a real nice guy... he was very quirky. Now, I'm all for having fun on the golf course... and if you like to talk, I'm not gonna tell you to stop... but you've GOT to know when to keep your mouth closed.

This guy was non-stop. While others were teeing off, he's telling stories. Standing over a tricky little putt, he's telling stories. Talk during the walk or ride to your next shot, that's fine. Talk during a wait between shots (backed up par 3, etc), that's fine. But, please... just shut up when someone else is over the ball!

Sorry for the rant... but I've got very few pet peeves on the course... this is one of them!

CY

[rjfan91]

I'm not good enough to let this type of stuff bother me. Maybe if there is a lot riding on one shot, but this doesn't happen very often. You can talk, I don't care. Just don't touch me. This kinda goes for when I'm not hitting too.

Try not to take it so seriously. Club tournaments are basically social events.

[Randy4h]

It's just common courtesy to be quiet during a golf shot. I guess if it were me, I would set up to a shot, then if the guy kept talking, I would step back and look at him. If he didn't get the hint, I would just tell him I'll wait until he's finished with his story before I hit.

I have a similar problem with guys who stand right behind me. I will generally ask if they could move to the side. There's never been a problem.

[Fairway_CY]

Yeah... that's just it. It doesn't so much bother me when I'm playing, mostly because I've typically got my 10 year old son with me at the range and he's just a talking head... but I find it to be rude. I NEVER talk when others are at or over the ball. To me... it's a courtesy issue. I'm DEFINITELY not good enough that the talking would effect me... but as a courtesy, zip it until the shot has been hit... ya know?

CY

[killerduck]

courtesy? It's not courtesy - IT'S ETIQUETTE. Like, stepping on someone's line, or casting a shadow over someone's ball.

There's not debate, it's just not on. When someone is over their ball, you stay still and keep your mouth shut.

Simple

[Fourputt]

I know a couple of guys like that who have to talk all the time, but at least they try to curb it when someone nearby is about to hit. I try to avoid playing with someone like that. I like to be sociable on the course, but I need my time with my own thoughts too. Even if they aren't talking while I'm hitting, it can still get to be too much.

[hammer]

I can block out the talking. what annoys me is when people playing behind go for the green whilst you've only just left it! I wouldn't mind if they were pro's and know they will definately hit the green.

[jhawker23]

  killerduck said:

courtesy? It's not courtesy - IT'S ETIQUETTE. Like, stepping on someone's line, or casting a shadow over someone's ball.

It is simply wrong. One thing that makes it even more infuriating is the talking is generally cr*p and has zero importance. No one cares that you have a nephew who knows a guy who works at a club where someone on the Hooters tour plays. If you need to let a guy know you're having a heart attack, okay, aside from that it needs to be no talkie talkie.

[Bump-n-MI]

  rjfan91 said:

Club tournaments are basically social events.

Couldn't disagree more. I have never played in ANY club tournament where others did not show proper etiquette and treated it strictly as a social event. There are a few basics that everyone should know prior to entering any tournament…..and talking while someone is hitting a shot is near the top of the list.

Back to the OP, this should have been addressed on the course with the individual. I would have asked politely at first then taken more extreme measures if he continued. Perhaps he was the one-in-a-million that did not know what he was doing was wrong?.?.?

[Fairway_CY]

From what I've been told... he's just "that guy". High energy, never shuts the hell up and has commentary on EVERY shot hit by ANYBODY in the group. After about the fourth hole... I'd had enough and began ignoring him when he began talking to me. That didn't stop him though. One hole in particular pissed me off. My partner was up on a par 3 and about to hit... and he starts talking about how when he was at this particular hole last year there were geese behind the green and his ball happened to roll over some goose crap and blah, freakin' blah, blah, blah.

I brought it up to a few guys after the round and the response I got was... "Oh, you must have played with Dave (name changed to protect the guilty)." Frustrating. Second round with the club is this coming Sunday. Hopefully we draw a more informed pair of opponents.

CY

[GolfTools]

Perhaps he's seen Caddyshack too many times.



"Hey Smails! Thousand bucks you miss that putt!"

[sean_miller]

  jhawker23 said:

If you need to let a guy know you're having a heart attack, okay, aside from that it needs to be

It took 2 paper towels to properly clean coffee from my monitor, plus I had to reprint a blank form I was completing.

[Bullitt5339]

I play with a 62 year old guy that's like that, but at least he'll quit talking while you're lining up to shoot. He just won't quit talking while he's lining up to hit the ball.........lol

Funny guy to play golf with though, I play 2 rounds a week with him, and I enjoy every round because he's always got some funny commentary, a great story, or a great Viagra joke (at least I think they're jokes......lol) I've gotten so used to him, I find it hilarious.

But then again, come to think of it, he's not like that when we're playing with strangers, it's just with our normal group.

[rjfan91]

  Fairway_CY said:

Yeah... that's just it. It doesn't so much bother me when I'm playing, mostly because I've typically got my 10 year old son with me at the range and he's just a talking head... but I find it to be rude. I NEVER talk when others are at or over the ball. To me... it's a courtesy issue. I'm DEFINITELY not good enough that the talking would effect me... but as a courtesy, zip it until the shot has been hit... ya know?

I completely agree. I was just saying it doesn't bother me. I think every club has this guy. Mine is a 75 year old guy that not only runs his mouth all day, but he thinks a 5 hour round is normal. I just try to ignore him and don't let him get to me.

  Bump-n-MI said:

Couldn't disagree more. I have never played in ANY club tournament where others did not show proper etiquette and treated it strictly as a social event.

My point was that no one makes a living from a club event. The only thing you really get out of it is to brag to other members where you placed. No one cares who placed where at a neighboring club. However, it is fun to talk about it with folks that played in the event or are regulars at the club being played.

[Meddle]

CY, I think I would have done the same as you. He wasn't insulting you or talking trash, but still...I think I would have just stopped talking to him and ignored him the rest of the round, "Dave" doesn't sound like the type that would get subtle hints.

[Blades4me]

When I'm over the ball I tune everything out and just focus on the swing & ball or line, putt and ball. So I don't hear anything. Having done lots of other sports with yelling ppl I guess I've just got to the point that I don't pay any attention to noise.