Playing golf with your dog in tow?

[Bruce Lynn]

Golfing with dogs seems to be much rarer in the USA.  It has a very strong tradition in here the UK.  All the top courses welcome dogs - Muirfield, St. Andrews, Wentworth, Turnberry.  Sunningdale actually has a menu for dogs at its restaurant.  It comes from the days when gentlemen shot guns in the colder months and shot golf balls in the warmer ones, and they wanted to take their guns dogs out with them on the course.  I'm going to Boston to visit family in May and would love to do a round (with my sister's dog who is very biddable), but I can't find any.
 

[cooke119]

3 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I've only seen one and it was the course owners dog that was used occasionally to chase geese away. He was always with a ranger and they made sure he was only out when it was safe.

You're right, I've heard that some of the courses here hire a guy with a dog to chase geese away, but that is really early in the morning before play begins I think. Never saw him or the dog on the course. It appears to have worked because there is less geese poop on the courses now.

[No Mulligans]

Del Mar Country Club is a high end country club in San Diego that allows dogs on the course as long as they are well behaved.  The owner, Madeline Pickens, grew up in France and England.  Her father was a golf course designer.  She married Alan Paulson, the founder of Gulfstream, and later T. Boone Pickens.

Quote

Pickens grew up with golf — and with dogs on the course. She recalled a time at the storied St. Andrew’s course in Scotland, when play was halted because a dog was crossing the course. “I loved it!” she said.

 

[tdiii]

My golden retrievers are well-trained and well-mannered and I would love to have them accompany at my course.  They wouldn't be a distraction at all.  I've contemplated pushing my club for a dog day or limited times where dogs would be allowed. 

And then I remember that our members (or at least a sizable minority) can't be trusted to fix ball marks, rake bunkers, or replace/fill divots. 

[No Mulligans]

2 hours ago, tdiii said:

My golden retrievers are well-trained and well-mannered and I would love to have them accompany at my course.  They wouldn't be a distraction at all.  I've contemplated pushing my club for a dog day or limited times where dogs would be allowed. 

And then I remember that our members (or at least a sizable minority) can't be trusted to fix ball marks, rake bunkers, or replace/fill divots. 

+1 - exactly

 And it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone.

[golfdu]

I own a dog and I would not take her on the golf course. Golf courses are man made and so are streets, walking your dog on a golf course is like walking your dog on the street avoiding the sidewalks, you are going to bother the cars (other golfers) driving on the street (playing on the golf course). 

[RussUK]

I would'nt. For a start she would get bored very quickly and secondly the wife really doesnt appreciate being called my dog . Thank you, im here all week (until the mrs skins me alive that is).

[The Recreational Golfer]

If the dog stays with its owner politely, doesn't bark, and doesn't chase squirrels, it should be welcome. The owners of the course I played on had a small dog that roamed over the course to accompany whatever group caught its fancy, and was always well behaved. It made the outing much more enjoyable.

[Moxley]

I've joined the ranks of Golfers taking their dogs round. My course allows it and a lot of members take dogs. 

Played a few holes with my Labrador last night, she pulled my bag over a couple of times at the start , but quickly learned and was really well behaved. 

The problem I have is that I also play a lot of golf with the dogs in the garden, so they are used to chasing after the balls - it's good that the lab can understand the different environment and behave accordingly, but I'd have no chance with the other dog. 

 

[Groucho Valentine]

Ive never played with my dog. But I've played with people who have had their dog along. It wasn't a problem. Never even knew it was there most of the time.  

[fishgolf]

This sure sounds like fun, but I honestly don't think having dogs on a golf course is a good idea.  That said, I could really see where a retriever would be a big advantage .

[Buckeyebowman]

I've played at several places where the "course dog" has free run of the place. They have never been a bother, but seem to know how to behave around golfers. But I've never seen anyone bring their own dog.