What would you do?

[Tex]

Last week I was playing a well-known local course here in the Houston area. Upper end course, so the carts were fairly nice. On the 4th hole, as I turn off the cart path onto the fairway, my bag falls off the back of the cart and falls to the ground. I felt kind of dumb, laughed, and sheepishly reloaded the cart, making sure, the strap was firmly connected.
Fast forward to 16. While driving down a perfectly smooth cart path on the way to the 17th tee, by bag AGAIN crashes down onto the concrete, this time seriously scarring my 6-iron.
We were playing twilight, so when we finished up the pro-shop was closed, and the only person I said anything to was the cart attendant. He casually looked at the strap mechanism and basically said "sh*t happens."
I wasn't happy, but my playing partner cooled me down and I let it go.

A week later, it's still bugging me....would I have been right to ask them to repair my club?
What would you have done?

[ajschn06]

I would have been upset as well, but I think the cart attendant was right...

[msd3075]

What course in Houston was it?

You should at least take your complaint to the pro shop. All they can say is no.

[DaSportsGuy]

I would've just asked that they check out the strap because it faulted numerous times and your bag fell out and dinged up your 6 iron.

[pittpanther]

I would have been upset as well, but I think the cart attendant was right...

The cart attendants reply was basically "sh*t happens," and you agree with him... OK.

Are you agreeing because the only thing that happened was a scratched club? What if his brand new $300 driver was snapped? In other words, are you agreeing because the damage was minimal, or would you say "sh*t happens" regardless of how bad the damage was?

[SpoiledRotten]

They might have insurance to cover things like that. I think the biggest problem with that issue now is the time passed. I would think they would inspect the hardware on the cart you used, and if they find fault with it, hopefully, they would have enough integrity to make it right for you. If not, you have the choice to patronize their place of business or not. That is the way I handle any business. I give them the opportunity to make the right decision, then the final decision is mine. I don't think getting an attitude with them right off the bat would get you much more than a firm "get the **** out of our shop".

I wouldn't be happy with that happening to me though.

[plugged]

Did you write down the number of the cart? I would definitely call the pro shop and tell them you pointed it out to a cart attendant. The other complaint I would make in addition to the cart itself is the attitude of the attendant. He works for the course and is representing them, so to say "**** happens" is unacceptable. It was his job to bring this to the attention of the pro shop.

If the pro tells you to take a leap, bring it to the attention of the course mmgt.

[WUTiger]

Had this problem at one particular course I used to play at. Basically, their carts and the tie-down bag straps were shot. Bag fell off twice in one round - both times in fairway, fortunately.

I told them about the straps, and they said they'd fix it. Basically, I don't play there anymore - bagstraps wasn't only problem they had.

Not a bad idea to check quality and condition of straps before you accept the cart. I will probably start carrying a bungee cord in my bag in case I end up with no-go cart strap.

[Radford Wooly]

I would have called or went by the Pro Shop the next morning and stated my case! Waiting so long might have hurt your chances for restitution.

[mattttt25]

My buddies and I used to play that game when we were back in HS. Loosen the strap when the other wasn't looking. Just saying........

[Keep It Simple]

A week later, it's still bugging me....would I have been right to ask them to repair my club?

Yes it would have been right. When you pay to use a course's golf cart, you do not expect it to malfunction and damage your clubs. Green fees are not cheap and golf courses make lots of money. I would expect a level of service that would include re-imbursement of expenses - trivial to the course but not necessarily to the player - caused by the course.

[Tex]

Thanks guys...I realize that it is far too late to have an effective argument with them. I should have taken it up with them the following morning, but I didn't...partly due to the fact that the course (Tour 18) is about a 45 minute drive for me.

Gonna let this one slide......