The Future of golf

[Dave2512]

Would nice if people were more realistic about what they are capable of rather than men play here women play here. If I owned a course the starter would be a as much tour guide as just crossing names of a list. Seriously what's the harm in asking people if they'd rather have fun or spend a day inching it towards a green where you have no chance of playing the hole as it was designed. I wouldn't surprised if more than half the golfers out there any given day even know what GIR is. It's just whack ball over and over until it finally is in the hole.

Pull up the tee markers and have the guide escort them to "fun tees" or whatever. If the oblivious want to torture themselves then make them understand they must yield to fast golfers. Maybe handout an cliff notes version or etiquette, pointing out not only the good but the bad. I had some slow oblivious numbskulls hacking it up I caught on hole 18 ask me if I wanted to play through and they were and the friggin' green, of the final hole, what the...

[Aflighter]

Would nice if people were more realistic about what they are capable of rather than men play here women play here. If I owned a course the starter would be a as much tour guide as just crossing names of a list. Seriously what's the harm in asking people if they'd rather have fun or spend a day inching it towards a green where you have no chance of playing the hole as it was designed. I wouldn't surprised if more than half the golfers out there any given day even know what GIR is. It's just whack ball over and over until it finally is in the hole. Pull up the tee markers and have the guide escort them to "fun tees" or whatever. If the oblivious want to torture themselves then make them understand they must yield to fast golfers. Maybe handout an cliff notes version or etiquette, pointing out not only the good but the bad. I had some slow oblivious numbskulls hacking it up I caught on hole 18 ask me if I wanted to play through and they were and the friggin' green, of the final hole, what the...

I dont mean to sound mean but some people just shouldnt play golf.Maybe if there was some kind if test in skills you could take before you step on a golf course would be nice.I know some of the courses I started on when I first began I dont visit anymore mainly because its the cheaper more prone to have beginners or guys just hacking it around on them.

[newtogolf]

I've noticed a lot of new "golfers" at the range in the last month.   They have their new clubs and golf bags but little clue about how to grip a club or swing it.  When I practice at the range I spend a lot of time off the mat to avoid just hitting balls like a machine so it gives me a lot of opportunity to observe and engage them in conversation, usually about the weather or golf not being as easy as it looks.

Most of these people are lost and are not taking any lessons so it would seem that the golf industry and local PGA professionals are missing an opportunity to engage these people.

[RussUK]

I dont mean to sound mean but some people just shouldnt play golf.Maybe if there was some kind if test in skills you could take before you step on a golf course would be nice.I know some of the courses I started on when I first began I dont visit anymore mainly because its the cheaper more prone to have beginners or guys just hacking it around on them.

If that happened it would fall foul of discrimiantion laws. Golf is for everyone now and rightly so, regardless of ability. Long gone is the time when golf was the preserve of the well off semi retired gentleman.

Could you imaging going to play 5-a-side soccer and the guy at the pitch saying "sorry mate, you cant play you havent got a 5-a-side License". I'd be a little peeved to say the least

[mcanadiens]

If that happened it would fall foul of discrimiantion laws. Golf is for everyone now and rightly so, regardless of ability. Long gone is the time when golf was the preserve of the well off semi retired gentleman. Could you imaging going to play 5-a-side soccer and the guy at the pitch saying "sorry mate, you cant play you havent got a 5-a-side License". I'd be a little peeved to say the least

Are you allowed to call it "soccer"? I thought someone would come arrest you for something like that. Private clubs could certainly require any golfer to go through tests. Public ones not so much.

[newtogolf]

Are you allowed to call it "soccer"? I thought someone would come arrest you for something like that.

Private clubs could certainly require any golfer to go through tests. Public ones not so much.

The three private clubs I belonged to did require anyone without an established handicap to be "certified" by the club pro before booking a tee  time.  The certification basically required you are able to post a score on the first five holes that a 32 handicap would.

[RussUK]

Are you allowed to call it "soccer"? I thought someone would come arrest you for something like that.

Private clubs could certainly require any golfer to go through tests. Public ones not so much.

Lol, if id have been fully British and correctly called it football people may confuse it for the game of the same name using odd shaped balls and not much of the "foot".

Private clubs would be the exeption, e.g. Fixby Golf Club Huddersfield (neear my home), very old fashioned. Not wearing a club tie and jacket in the clubhouse is punishable by death (well, a very very stern talking to) and everyone seems to be called by their surnames. I tend to stay clear

[David in FL]

If that happened it would fall foul of discrimiantion laws. Golf is for everyone now and rightly so, regardless of ability. Long gone is the time when golf was the preserve of the well off semi retired gentleman. Could you imaging going to play 5-a-side soccer and the guy at the pitch saying "sorry mate, you cant play you havent got a 5-a-side License". I'd be a little peeved to say the least

There are sports that require skill level testing and licensing to participate, especially at more advanced levels. Bicycle racing and any number of motor sports come to mind. Many golf and tennis competitions already have minimum skill level requirements simply to register. It's been years, but I also know of one military course that required a valid hcp card and a maximum 18 hcp to play.

[RussUK]

The majority of golfers

There are sports that already require skill level testing and licensing to participate, especially at more advanced levels. Bicycle racing and any number of motor sports come to mind.

It's been years, but I also know of one military course that required a valid hcp card and a maximum 18 hcp to play.h

Hmm, i think i should have said public courses. Yes, a lot of the private courses have handicap levels you must have in order to play. I think the Brabazon at the Belfry is the one.

Obviously Motor sports as you need a minimum of a Class B national for most races and have passed the ARDS test to get it. I was refering to the more recreational sports (Footie, Tennis, tiddlywinks etc). Just forgot to actually put that im my post and realised we are only telepathic on a Wednesday

[RGoosen]

There are sports that require skill level testing and licensing to participate, especially at more advanced levels. Bicycle racing and any number of motor sports come to mind. Many golf and tennis competitions already have minimum skill level requirements simply to register. It's been years, but I also know of one military course that required a valid hcp card and a maximum 18 hcp to play.

Pretty much any tennis team league or tournament will be based on skill level. "Open tournaments" exist sometimes with age requirements but those are the touranaments where the college and pros play

[jgreen85]

You'd think movements like Get Golf Ready would be more direct in their approach. The goal for snaring new golfers seem to just be getting them out there and turning them loose after a couple vague, basic lessons. IMO these types of golfers need to be directed to courses they can handle, par 3's or maybe courses hosting a GGR night were one side is reserved for them and they put them all the way forward.

I saw a guy and his wife out there Sat and more or less they were torturing themselves. Probably never had a lesson, hitting a succession of really bad shots. On the par 3 hole I caught them on they both hit a couple balls from the tee and it never resulted in a half decent shots. The guy was hitting a ball from the tee side rough that didn't make it to where the cart path crosses the hole to head towards the side of the green not against the hazard. I can't imagine how that would be enjoyable. Not only do they struggle but they seem embarrassed.

There's no money in this though. The money is in the equipment and greens fees. "Come get golf ready and then go buy $1000 in equipment."

My brother just took up the game a couple of months ago. Per my advice, he still hasn't played a round because his swing wouldn't allow it to be enjoyable. He is a very athletic person, but $50 for four hours of struggle is tough to swallow.

[Kenny Lee]

I don't like the flat billed hats either.  I still don't really care what other people wear.

The ideal number of flat billed hats a person should own is zero.