Club's dress code crackdown leads to a violent uprising - Weston CC near Boston

[Dave2512]

Worst part of private clubs is the politics and the assessments. That's why I don't join. I just like to golf. I don't care to spend thousands to repair fencing and stuff like that.

[Dave2512]

The course I play here is $550 for a husband/wife membership for the season.  Probably not the same level of maintenance, but it's a fun course and the price is definitely right.  A foursome can walk on most any weekday without delay.  Might have to start on 10 instead of 1, but that's no big deal.

Riverview?

[rkim291968]

See below article, and the two quotes from the article that resonates with me.   Denim/jeans are banned from golf courses b/c it is viewed as "work" or "working class" cloths.  It is an outdated view that has been changing over time.

http://www.golfmagic.com/news/golf-news/has-time-for-jeans-arrived/5201.html

• "Commented one golf fashion observer: "Clubs and courses who rely on revenue from visitors - whether societies or hotel guests - need to look closely at their dress code rules. In this competitive climate, they can't afford to turn customers away because their clothing might appear inappropriate to traditional golfers"

• "If you can play golf, jeans won't make you a poor player. Tennis had to change and traditional sports like bowls and cricket have embraced fashion changes. I'd rather see someone playing golf in a pair of well-cut jeans than some of the current Rupert trousers and pants with contrasting pockets."

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

The course I play here is $550 for a husband/wife membership for the season.  Probably not the same level of maintenance, but it's a fun course and the price is definitely right.  A foursome can walk on most any weekday without delay.  Might have to start on 10 instead of 1, but that's no big deal.

Riverview?

Yep.  And the Northeastern 18 is about the same - just a bit higher.

See below article, and the two quotes from the article that resonates with me.   Denim/jeans are banned from golf courses b/c it is viewed as "work" or "working class" cloths.  It is an outdated view that has been changing over time.

http://www.golfmagic.com/news/golf-news/has-time-for-jeans-arrived/5201.html

"Commented one golf fashion observer: "Clubs and courses who rely on revenue from visitors - whether societies or hotel guests - need to look closely at their dress code rules. In this competitive climate, they can't afford to turn customers away because their clothing might appear inappropriate to traditional golfers"

"If you can play golf, jeans won't make you a poor player. Tennis had to change and traditional sports like bowls and cricket have embraced fashion changes. I'd rather see someone playing golf in a pair of well-cut jeans than some of the current Rupert trousers and pants with contrasting pockets."

I'm with that all the way.  Why a course which depends on non member income would shoot itself in the foot over a fabric is beyond me.

[Dave2512]

Yep.

I'm with that all the way.  Why a course which depends on non member income would shoot itself in the foot over a fabric is beyond me.

About as far away from a country club as you can get. Which is why I like it. That and Val is a good guy, if he is still there.

[MrFlipper]

The course I play here is $550 for a husband/wife membership for the season.  Probably not the same level of maintenance, but it's a fun course and the price is definitely right.  A foursome can walk on most any weekday without delay.  Might have to start on 10 instead of 1, but that's no big deal.

I'm envious! You have a smoking deal in my book.

And my old course was certainly not maintained 10x better than yours. Can't be done.

I miss golfing in Colorado

[newtogolf]

And people wonder why golf is losing its appeal. . .

Side note: I would probably never wear denim clothes, but prefer to retain my privilege to do so especially if I have to pay 45,000 to join.

These are exclusive clubs that cater to a certain "type" of person.  Their initiation fees are high and their new member screening process is pretty rigorous.  In these types of clubs, golf is almost secondary, it's about socializing with the "right" people and being recognized for your "standing" in the community.  Basically these types of clubs are what gives golf a bad name at times, but as others said, you know all this before you pay your money so none of it should come as a shock.

My club isn't as ritzy but they do have dress codes and events where denim isn't permitted.  Most days "neat jeans" are allowed in the dining room and bar (never on the course or practice range) but most opt not to wear them other than the children of members and some of the younger members.    It's not that much different than going to a nice restaurant that has a dress code, if you don't like getting dressed up then pick a different place.

[rkim291968]

The course I play here is $550 for a husband/wife membership for the season.  Probably not the same level of maintenance, but it's a fun course and the price is definitely right.  A foursome can walk on most any weekday without delay.  Might have to start on 10 instead of 1, but that's no big deal.

That's cool.  A few years ago, my wife and I paid for $3000 couple membership that let us play in two different muni courses, no carts.   They probably lost money on us, and we got a lot of exercise done (walking the courses to avoid paying for cart).  But course condition was poor, and it attracted a lot of golfers who shouldn't have golf as their hobby (no patience, no golf etiquette or mind set).

[Dave2512]

I'm envious! You have a smoking deal in my book.

And my old course was certainly not maintained 10x better than yours. Can't be done.

I miss golfing in Colorado

There are a bunch of quirky courses like Riverview in rural CO. Last time I was at Riverview I saw guys playing in cowboy boots, seriously. The parking lot is dirt. We had a couple brews and the pro was tending the bar, really just a little snack counter. I play a similar place where I live in Frederick.

[ay33660]

Just a quick comment on what a "suspension" means.

At our club if you are suspended you can still come and dine, attend social functions etc.

It is your golf booking and playing privileges that are suspended.

I don't know what the consequences of a "suspension" at that club is but just wanted to point out it may not preclude them from the holiday social events.

Also as to the "stigma" of a suspension or letter from the Board of Directors. There are a couple of group of guys in our club that like to have some good harmless fun. I know they have received letters from the BOD but there is no risk of them caring about any perceived "stigma" associated with receiving a letter. I think they view it as a badge of courage.

[newtogolf]

Just a quick comment on what a "suspension" means.

At our club if you are suspended you can still come and dine, attend social functions etc.

It is your golf booking and playing privileges that are suspended.

I don't know what the consequences of a "suspension" at that club is but just wanted to point out it may not preclude them from the holiday social events.

Also as to the "stigma" of a suspension or letter from the Board of Directors. There are a couple of group of guys in our club that like to have some good harmless fun. I know they have received letters from the BOD but there is no risk of them caring about any perceived "stigma" associated with receiving a letter. I think they view it as a badge of courage.

I think it depends on the club, my club has different suspensions based on what the violation is.  If you do something wrong at the pool, your pool privileges are suspended, on the course, golf privileges suspended, repeatedly dress inappropriate in the dining room your dining privileges are suspended.  If you really mess up, all of your club privileges are suspended.

[rkim291968]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ay33660

Just a quick comment on what a "suspension" means.

At our club if you are suspended you can still come and dine, attend social functions etc.

It is your golf booking and playing privileges that are suspended.

I don't know what the consequences of a "suspension" at that club is but just wanted to point out it may not preclude them from the holiday social events.

Also as to the "stigma" of a suspension or letter from the Board of Directors. There are a couple of group of guys in our club that like to have some good harmless fun. I know they have received letters from the BOD but there is no risk of them caring about any perceived "stigma" associated with receiving a letter. I think they view it as a badge of courage.

I think it depends on the club, my club has different suspensions based on what the violation is.  If you do something wrong at the pool, your pool privileges are suspended, on the course, golf privileges suspended, repeatedly dress inappropriate in the dining room your dining privileges are suspended.  If you really mess up, all of your club privileges are suspended.

Can you suspend your payment if course is not maintained well, swimming pool water is too cold, restaurant food tastes bad, ....? ... and why not?

[newtogolf]

Can you suspend your payment if course is not maintained well, swimming pool water is too cold, restaurant food tastes bad, ....?       ... and why not?

No, but honestly I've never had even one tiny complaint about the way the grounds are maintained or the food quality in the restaurant.  If you don't like the food they will bring you whatever you want until you are happy.

[Aflighter]

I have always wondered whats the deal about golf clubs not allowing denim.Personally I don't understand why anyone would even want to wear jeans playing golf when something lighter and not as constricting works better when swinging.The only time I could see use of jeans is in the winter when its cold and jeans will keep you warmer.I think maybe jeans are associated with lower class and golf was created as a higher class game.Imagine if we all had to play with a tie,button up shirt and overcoat like back in the day.

[newtogolf]

I have always wondered whats the deal about golf clubs not allowing denim.Personally I don't understand why anyone would even want to wear jeans playing golf when something lighter and not as constricting works better when swinging.The only time I could see use of jeans is in the winter when its cold and jeans will keep you warmer.I think maybe jeans are associated with lower class and golf was created as a higher class game.Imagine if we all had to play with a tie,button up shirt and overcoat like back in the day.

I think in the past denim was associated with blue collar workers who were not considered "country club material" at the time.  Today I think it's more about all the different types of jeans there are and how they look and are worn.  My club stipulates "neat jeans" only in the dining room when permitted and defines them as clean jeans worn at the waist, without, stains, patches,  holes or tears.

On the course I just think it's a throwback to the way golf was played in the past and the whole golf is a gentleman's sport.

[Dave2512]

I think it's just a silly tradition that golf/clubs have failed to get away from. But it's because they don't want to get away from it and I understand that. Akin to uniforms at private schools. More about the culture at the time golf started to become popular than anything. When I look at old pictures of my parents I don't see them in denim regularly until late 60's early 70's. Even when I was a kid denim wasn't that popular amongst older generations. I don't think people were offended by it just that it was considered work attire but not necessarily class based work attire. Not once did I see my grandfather wearing denim and he was a truck driver. My grandmother never learned how to drive a car, never had a license, never had a job etc.

[Fourputt]

The really stupid thing is that if they really were tradition bound, they'd require plus fours on the course, and coat and tie in the clubhouse.  They quote "tradition" only as it suits their own measurement of worth.

[caniac6]

I used to be a member at a private club, and got into a discussion about dress codes, and their importance, with another member. I told him about playing with the club VP the previous week. The VP displayed a bad temper, and very little etiquette towards the rest of the group, but he was well dressed. I told the other member that I would rather play with a good guy wearing bib overalls than a well dressed jerk. The other guy got so mad he wouldn't shake my hand at the end of the round.