Mark
You have every right to voice your opinion, perhaps the format on that occasion was not ideal but then neither was his action.
Course etiquette is so important in that is shows an equal courtesy to all, ignore it and you are nothing short of being a selfish individual who cares not for the wellbeing of others on a course.
I may have handled its slightly differently and caught him in the bar afterwards, addressing no one in particular but in a loud voice say ‘Did you see that ignorant, lazy ar*#hole using his club to retrieve his ball from the hole – God in this day and age you would have thought that golfing etiquette would have penetrated his thick skull, but it just goes to show the poor manners some player display on the golf course. Oh yes, that’s the ar*#hole over there”. Pointing to the gentleman concerned.
Although there may be wiser ways to make your point. Perhaps if there is a next time say ‘Melvyn would cut your F*#@king bo**#cks off if he saw you doing that’ at the same time you move your arm in a backward motion as if cutting upwards, in case he might be hard of hearing.
Signs are a great reminder to players. Simple notes around the changing rooms and Pro Shop, stating that “This course/club requires golfers to strictly observes to course etiquette as being reminded on the course can be embarrassing".
Well done Mark, but next time can you say it face to face as the player on the 8th, 9th, 11th & 13th thought you where referring to them.
No, being serious you where indeed right in making a comment, we need golfers to start thinking about others on a golf course.
Melvyn
PS Watch out for that John K Moore not to mention Sam Morrow, both believe Etiquette is a European sports car and don't understand a floor shift believing it to be old and out of date technology. You have to love them for their little ways, don't you.