Harrassed by Driving Range Staff

[IcemanYVR]

So last night I went out to the local driving range with a friend of mine, he'd never played golf before and asked me to help him learn how to hit balls before he decided if he liked golf and payed for lessons.

We were just working on the fundamentals (grip, posture, ball position and alignment), I'm certainly not qualified to teach the full swing but I gave him a couple of general beginner practice drills which he executed well.

During this time, along comes mister PGA professional driving range staff and rudely confronts me asking if I can't see the signs all over the place... I replied what signs. (on our way out, looking for signs, we found one, on a standard piece of paper) He said he can throw me out for teaching. I replied I wasn't "teaching" and simply just helping a friend. He said he didn't believe me, and I told him I wasn't getting paid. He said are you sure, and don't let it happen again. What a #

[muggs]

In so many words, I would have told him where to go. Money-grubbing dbag...

[1par2win]

Sounds like a D-bag to me. Can't do much about them, my friend. If you have alternative range I would use that and laugh off the experience.

[Gioguy21]

Him: "you sure you're not teaching?"
You: "actually, yes, i am teaching him. what're you doing? obviously not teaching your oh-so-many needy golfers who need YOUR professional help...here's a sign (flash the finger)...perhaps that'll teach YOU a lesson...btw, know of any good golf ranges in the area?"

that'd be what i'd have said...lol

[saevel25]

time to find a different driving range.

[saevel25]

then i would go inside to the manager, if it wasn't the pro, and tell him that your pro just lost you a patron to this driving range.

[iacas]

Y'all may not like what I have to say, but there are two sides to every story, and whether you agree with it or not, you violated the posted policy. It's pretty standard policy at any range at which there's a pro - a pro who likely pays a fairly hefty sum of money for the right to be the instructor there.

If you're a good 2.4 index player, then what you were doing probably passed for good instruction, and the guy has a point. And "teaching" doesn't mean you need to be paid - that's simply "professional." May is free lesson month - why didn't you ask the pro if he was giving free 10-minute lessons and get your friend some help that way?

Maybe you're right and the guy was completely rude. But since we don't have his side of the story, commenting is almost pointless.

[IcemanYVR]

  iacas said:

Y'all may not like what I have to say,

absolutley, that's why I sent the director of golf (yes they have one) an email politely outlining my displeasure with one of his staff members. Maybe his staff member saw it differently.

  iacas said:

If you're a good 2.4 index player, then what you were doing probably passed for good instruction, and the guy has a point. And "teaching" doesn't mean you need to be paid - that's simply "professional." May is free lesson month - why didn't you ask the pro if he was giving free 10-minute lessons and get your friend some help that way?

true... but what if said 2.4 index wants to teach his son, which I will be doing in a few years? and no I didn't think to ask if they were giving free 10 minute lessons... thought never crossed my mind. I doubt with an attitude like that they would offer anything for free.

I understand the range is the Pro's "turf" and they have several instructors on staff but it crosses the line when they threaten to throw out someone for helping a friend/spouse/child.

[PaddyHarrington]

  iacas said:

Y'all may not like what I have to say, but there are two sides to every story, and whether you agree with it or not, you violated the posted policy. It's pretty standard policy at any range at which there's a pro - a pro who likely pays a fairly hefty sum of money for the right to be the instructor there.

And what as iceman said is the difference between his situation and a man helping his wife or a father teaching his son/daughter?

Going by what you said they also shouldn't be allowed to teach their young kids/wife how to hit a ball at the range,would you think that was right just because it was the ranges policy ?I certainly wouldn't Thankfully we don't have that sort of craic here in Ireland and I have never come across that situation described by the OP,there is no way anyone could be stopped showing a friend a few tips of hitting a golf ball,also I have never seen a sign to say you can't do it in any range I have been here in Ireland,but I guess the USA is different in that respect. I don't need to hear the PGA Pro's side of the story it's pretty obvious to me he was being rude,and while it may be the driving range policy I think he could have used some common sense and been a little more mannerly,especially if he is trying to run a business.

[jamo]

Hmmm, this is actually a tough issue now that I think about it. The pro has likely paid for the privledge to teach there, but you paid for the bucket of balls. You did "break the rules" but he is your friend, they shouldn't be able to just say you can't teach them, but you are at their driving range, so they make the rules, but it's not like you made money off it, as the pro would have....... and on and on it goes. Either way, sending a complaint is a good start, I would just take your business to another range if possible.

[shades9323]

  PaddyHarrington said:

If it is the ranges policy, then you shouldn't be allowed to teach ANYONE. If you don't like the policy, find a range whos policies you align more with. Do you always(in life) break rules/laws/policies that you don't agree with?

  jamo said:

they shouldn't be able to just say you can't teach them, but you are at their driving range,

Sure they should. It is thier private business.

[jamo]

  PaddyHarrington said:

Thankfully we don't have that sort of craic here in Ireland and I have never come across that situation described by the OP,there is no way anyone could be stopped showing a friend a few tips of hitting a golf ball,also I have never seen a sign to say you can't do it in any range I have been here in Ireland,but I guess the USA is different in that respect.

I've actually never seen that here either. Here being Massachusetts.

[sean_miller]

Just remember to yell "keep your head down" and every time he tops one and you'll be fine.

[Sanzabar]

I would have made the idiot feel like a jerk. I would have said something along the lines of my friend being homesless and not having the money to pay for lessons!

[jamo]

  shades9323 said:

Sure they should. It is thier private business.

Did you read my post? I put both sides of the arguement:

  jamo said:

but you are at their driving range, so they make the rules

[shades9323]

  jamo said:

Did you read my post? I put both sides of the arguement:

I sure did. You sounded wishy washy so I was helping you out!

[Trek3]

I've played some competitive golf and taught girls jv team at a local high school. Whenever I teach someone (for free) like my girlfriend, or just a buddy, I go to a local course thats "crappy". I'd never take them to a nice course with a pro to practice or to play. In your situation it may have been the way the guy approached you. He could have handled it better instead of immediately putting you on the defensive. I don't think he was wrong to apprach you, I just think he went about it the wrong way.

[shades9323]

  Sanzabar said:

I would have made the idiot feel like a jerk. I would have said something along the lines of my friend being homesless and not having the money to pay for lessons!

What would a homeless guy need lessons for anyway? He can't afford to golf.