Biggest problem on the golf course today?

[Gresh24]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

You don't understand.  You don't have to vote for this as a major problem.

But then you make comments that since you aren't experiencing it, that nobody else should complain about it.  Then you state that you shop at a place like Wal Mart or Target.

All good.  You do what you want.  But I don't shop at Wal Mart or Target, and I expect more from my pro shop staff.  You can expect less, I don't care. I don't even know what you are arguing about at this point, besides trying to explain to me that Wal Mart is great.

And NYC Golf Center is not like Wal Mart.  It is a high end retail distributer with a fantastic selection focused on a wealthier market (it is not a heavy discounted inventory).  It is not a jack of all trades discount store targeting the lower class.

You don't get it at all.  I never said no one should complain about it, nor did I deny it is happening.  I do have the opinion that if you do complain about it, and it effects your golf, you're just a pretentious douche bag... but complain away.  I don't care.

I also never brought up Wal Mart or Target or stated I shop there.  Nor did I ever say Wal Mart is great.  Your comprehension skills are very lacking.

If NYC Golf Center is not like Wal Mart, fine, but you also mentioned Golf Galaxy - they pretty much are the same.  If it makes you feel better to buy the exact same merchandise at a higher price from a place that caters to the 'wealthier class', have at it.

[eich41]

Some of these posts/votes are unbelievable.  One of the biggest problems on the golf course are people wearing cargo shorts??????  Does that somehow make your round slower or less enjoyable?  All because some guy two groups ahead of you is wearing a pair cargo shorts instead of some addidas golf shorts?  I can understand the tanktop/tshirt crowd, but cargo shorts aren't that big of a deal.  Some of you are way too picky and must just look for things to complain about.  I mean is it any worse than people who wear polos that look like they were made out of curtains from 1975 or the guy with quadruple pleated pants with a 4 1/2" inseam?  Must be hard to be such a fashionista that you can't enjoy a round of golf if there are fashion faux pas on the course at the same time as you.  Just for the record, I don't wear cargo shorts on the course, I'm just dumbfounded that someone actually would think that that is one of the biggest problems on a golf course today.  Unreal.

[Gresh24]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

My bet is that gresh is not exactly known as a desired loop on the caddy bench at the club.

Ha.  Whatever.  You'd be very surprised actually.  I just don't need to stroke myself on an anonymous message board and tell people what class I'm in and how important I am, while putting down others.  To each their own.

[divot dave]

I voted slow play... but there needs to be an option for inconsiderate play. Now I would admit this is entirely subjective. But I play on a 9 hole public course that honestly doesn't receive a whole lot of traffic, so there's often people practicing their golf instead of playing a round. I have no problem with this except when there is someone behind you. While someone is waiting, DON'T hit more than 1 ball at a time, and DON'T work on various approach scenarios. Let the person by, or move to another hole.

[MrSandman]

Hey gresh, enjoy the dumbing down of america and the wal mart nation.

I'm going to continue to better our country and support those who put a little pride in their work.

is that fair?

now go mow my lawn!

[jamo]

Slow play. Don't care what you wear. Don't care what you smoke. Don't care what you drink. Don't care if the pro shop isn't stocked. I do care if my round is 5 1/2 hour long though.

QFT. (Repair your divots too. That'd be nice.) [quote name="MrSandman" url="/t/59595/biggest-problem-on-the-golf-course-today/0_30#post_729291"] You really don't see this as a problem? You don't think better service is preferred?  Better assistants.  Staff/cashiers/starters who know a little more about the game and can help the customer or remedy problems easier is not preferred? [/quote] No, I don't. Because I do my research, I read reviews, I get input from people I know and meet who use those clubs. It's the same thing I do when I buy anything worth paying money for. I'd rather rely on my own research than whatever the minimum-wage salesman is trying to move. I enter the store, hit all of the clubs that my research has indicated might fit me (and a few others for good measure), whittle the list down to those that I like in person, and make my decision from there. I quite frankly don't need the employee input. [quote name="MrSandman" url="/t/59595/biggest-problem-on-the-golf-course-today/0_30#post_729288"]Golf nerds also make me laugh.  Most of them aren't that good, but they try to dress like Dustin Johnson or Justin Rose.  Nerds!! [/quote] You say the word "nerd" like you expect it to inflict pain. Congrats on being the bigger person. [quote name="MrSandman" url="/t/59595/biggest-problem-on-the-golf-course-today/30_30#post_729391"] I actually have no idea what a "Target" compared to "Wal Mart" kid joke is, but anybody making that joke needs to look in the mirror, as there is really no difference between Target and Wal Mart. Both are low class places. [/quote] I only get my shelves and plastic bins custom-made by hand from Sharper Image and Skymall, thank you very much.

[phillyk]

Originally Posted by jamo

QFT.

(Repair your divots too. That'd be nice.)

No, I don't. Because I do my research, I read reviews, I get input from people I know and meet who use those clubs. It's the same thing I do when I buy anything worth paying money for. I'd rather rely on my own research than whatever the minimum-wage salesman is trying to move.

I enter the store, hit all of the clubs that my research has indicated might fit me (and a few others for good measure), whittle the list down to those that I like in person, and make my decision from there. I quite frankly don't need the employee input.

I'm not saying your wrong, but at my course, we have all the club companies come and teach us about their product so that we can properly tell people about what we have.  It's our job to not just sell you the product, but make sure you know why you are choosing that club.  If you have done the research, great! But, some "minimum-wage salesman" may know a lot more than you do, so I wouldn't go blowing them off expecting them to be less competent.

[MrSandman]

Originally Posted by phillyk

I'm not saying your wrong, but at my course, we have all the club companies come and teach us about their product so that we can properly tell people about what we have.  It's our job to not just sell you the product, but make sure you know why you are choosing that club.  If you have done the research, great! But, some "minimum-wage salesman" may know a lot more than you do, so I wouldn't go blowing them off expecting them to be less competent.

Do you work at a course?  Do you feel as though you are properly trained and the pro does a good job taking care of you?  If so, do you think the members appreciate this added service?

Kudos to you.

[Dave2512]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

Spending a little extra for quality service is something that people with means tend to do.

Absoultely but it is necessary to have some perspective. You've complained about the level of service at the muni level because that's what your situation allows. When you are spending less you should expect less. I think it goes without saying that we live in a different world now. The days of knowing the name of our postman and the jolly old past have slipped away. It's not unique to golf. If you understand that the level of service is better at your parents club because you pay more I don't understand why you expect the same for something that cost less.

The market for golf has changed along with everything else. I too prefer the past. Not just for golf but everything. I liked independent record stores, the neighborhood grocer and being friendly with the club pro. Though it helped that I was on the jr golf team. Lots of things have changed. I'm surprised you haven't adjusted, this didn't happen overnight. I'm not sure how old you are but I don't consider this a recent problem.

[MrSandman]

the NYC municipal courses are a little different than other munis.  It's not so much a cost thing that attracts people to those courses, it is a location thing.  You get a lot of people there on weekday afternoons who belong to nice courses outside the city, but couldn't realistically go play them on the time restraints while working in the city.

It's not like there are 10 courses in the area, a few private, some high end greens fees, and some munis that are run down.  Marine Park and Dyker Beach are the only courses somebody working on Wall St can get to and tee off on in under an hour from leaving the office.

[phillyk]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

Do you work at a course?  Do you feel as though you are properly trained and the pro does a good job taking care of you?  If so, do you think the members appreciate this added service?

Kudos to you.

I'm in the pro-shop as a clerk, and our head pro makes sure we all know what we are selling.  I talk to people all the time about the difference between certain drivers, wedges, and balls.  This is not the case for all courses, of course.  In my case, I love the game of golf, and want to know everything I can about the game.  If I don't know something, I'll ask or go somewhere where I can find out.  I like to spread the wisdom so that people feel they can enjoy the game more.

[MrSandman]

Originally Posted by phillyk

I'm in the pro-shop as a clerk, and our head pro makes sure we all know what we are selling.  I talk to people all the time about the difference between certain drivers, wedges, and balls.  This is not the case for all courses, of course.  In my case, I love the game of golf, and want to know everything I can about the game.  If I don't know something, I'll ask or go somewhere where I can find out.  I like to spread the wisdom so that people feel they can enjoy the game more.

That's great.  I'm sure your course regulars appreciate having a knowledgeable pro shop staff.  Kudos to your pro for maintianing high standards and educating his staff.

It is really not too much to ask.  Yet so many courses/pros are not making this effort.  And there are way too many golfers out there who are too accepting of the dumbing down of pro shop staffs.

[Dave2512]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

the NYC municipal courses are a little different than other munis.  It's not so much a cost thing that attracts people to those courses, it is a location thing.  You get a lot of people there on weekday afternoons who belong to nice courses outside the city, but couldn't realistically go play them on the time restraints while working in the city.

It's not like there are 10 courses in the area, a few private, some high end greens fees, and some munis that are run down.  Marine Park and Dyker Beach are the only courses somebody working on Wall St can get to and tee off on in under an hour from leaving the office.

I get it, you've mentioned it several times, and it appears you understand it's a different situation. It's not a nation wide issue but something unique to you. You don't have any reason to assume we have accepted less based on your unique experience. Does that make sense? Move to CO, you won't have that problem. I can drive to no less than 50 public courses in 20-30 minutes. Some far nicer than all but the most exclusive clubs. Seriously, there are courses here with $40-50 green fees that would blow your mind.

[MrSandman]

I would love to play the courses in Colorado, and you are probably right.  Unfortunately, I enjoy making a lot of money so I live in New York City.  Occupy my bank account, bitches!!

[phillyk]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

I would love to play the courses in Colorado, and you are probably right.  Unfortunately, I enjoy making a lot of money so I live in New York City.  Occupy my bank account, bitches!!

ahaha, i hope you're being sarcastic...

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by phillyk

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamo

QFT.

(Repair your divots too. That'd be nice.)

No, I don't. Because I do my research, I read reviews, I get input from people I know and meet who use those clubs. It's the same thing I do when I buy anything worth paying money for. I'd rather rely on my own research than whatever the minimum-wage salesman is trying to move.

I enter the store, hit all of the clubs that my research has indicated might fit me (and a few others for good measure), whittle the list down to those that I like in person, and make my decision from there. I quite frankly don't need the employee input.

I'm not saying your wrong, but at my course, we have all the club companies come and teach us about their product so that we can properly tell people about what we have.  It's our job to not just sell you the product, but make sure you know why you are choosing that club.  If you have done the research, great! But, some "minimum-wage salesman" may know a lot more than you do, so I wouldn't go blowing them off expecting them to be less competent.

Sounds like you're talking about being coached on how to interpret the brochures and answer typical FAQs.  I'm sure there are a few guys who have actual knowledge and can speak beyond what the OEM's want you to say.

Sounds exactly like Golf Town.

[phillyk]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Sounds like you're talking about being coached on how to interpret the brochures and answer typical FAQs.  I'm sure there are a few guys who have actual knowledge and can speak beyond what the OEM's want you to say.

Sounds exactly like Golf Town.

Maybe so, but if what you say is true, that "few guys" know this knowledge, then I'll assume that the knowledge I have of our product is more than enough.

[The Tin Man]

Biggest Problem: Too many golfers using the courses I can afford.  (The ones that don't sell clubs and don't have grass ranges to try the clubs they don't sell.)