If you think about it, golfer interaction on the course can be a bit curt…and it all starts pretty much as soon as you take your clubs out of the trunk.
It might not always be exactly like this, but…
The first whiff of unfriendliness is usually in the parking lot as you’re walking to the pro-shop. You’ll see a fellow golfer walking back to his car – typically muttering to himself about a triple bogie he took on 16. You’ll pass like ships in the night – nary a glance, let alone a word spoken towards each other. Ah, but that’s just a taste of what’s to come…
The unpleasantness continues once at the register to pay your greens fees. The Pro-Shop Punks behind the counter will inevitably mumble something about your tee-time (in some cases scold you if it’s less than 10 minutes prior to said time), take your hard-earned money without even a smile and promptly send you out to the starter.
Now on your way to the starter, even more uncomfortableness can ensue. First, you might be worried the starter will continue to lambaste you for being only 7 minutes early for your tee-time. But more importantly, you’re worried if they’ll pair you up with someone.
That’s right, I said it and you know it’s true. We golfers never want to get paired up with anyone – especially that single who gets added to your twosome or threesome. It just kills the camaraderie between you. Plus, the last thing we want is to spend the next 4 (or 5) hours embarrassing ourselves in front of total strangers. Yes, getting paired up with strangers adds a whole new meaning to first-tee jitters.
But this is nothing compared to the cast of characters you have to deal with once out on the course: The swing advice giver; the rulebook thumper; the backswing talker; the guy who can’t enjoy golf unless he’s drinking a beer on every hole. And let’s not forget about that arrogant SOB who claims he always shoots in the 70s but takes a double or triple on every hole.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying golf isn’t worth putting up with all of this stuff. I’ve been putting up with it for more than 25 years and I still love this game.
And I’m also not saying every pro-shop employee is a punk, or every starter is to be feared, nor every playing partner an ass. But there sure does seem to be a lot of jerks out there. Maybe it’s just a byproduct of the game itself or maybe golf just attracts less-than-friendly folks in general. Heck, maybe I’m among them!
And that brings me to today’s poll. Do you think the golfing community has a higher percentage of rude folks than in general life? Take the poll and feel free to elaborate in the comments…
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Greg
I can see your point, but the list of events does not happen that often and rarely, if at all, at the same time. Golf is a contact sport and I like to think the meeting strangers and hearing their story is a benefit to golf. I enjoyed the read. Thanks.
Cheers
Jim
I’ve never had any of these things happen and I play at least 3 times a week. But I can also say I have never showed up 7 minutes before my tee time 😉
Eric- I fear you’ve been playing the same golf course for far too long. Best shake it up a bit. And feel free to come up to the New England area – we’ll welcome you with unfriendliness the likes of which you’ve never known!
Greg, actually we rotate around 5 or 6 different courses. I lived in MA for a while so I know what you are talking about.
It may be the courses you are playing. Most of the time I run into friendly people and have been lucky to be paired with some interesting guys. Once in a while there are some jerks on the course, but for the most part, golfers are decent people.
I certainly wouldn’t consider myself unfriendly. There’s unfriendly people in all walks of life (and hobbies!).
Totally agree, but you forgot to mention the ‘Golden Ticket Members’ those over 50 ‘s who play in 5 balls, talk loudly and laugh on the course, refuse to let players through even when there are 4 empty greens in front of them and a queue behind them, chat on the greens, spend ages looking for lost balls, not bothering to shout ‘fore’, walking down the fairway of holes they are not playing, screaming at and bullying juniors, ignoring GUR and generally strutting around in their mid life crisis hiding in a group and picking fights.