Over the top etiquette faux pas

[Tim Martin]

Recently I was playing a four ball game with a regular group at a public course that has 27 holes. The course is not a particular favorite of mine but the winner of the last match(which was not us)gets to pick the venue. The tee sheet seems to have no rhyme or reason on this particular day as one nine is stacked up while the other 2 have groups going off as singles,twosomes and threesomes. We play three holes on the outward nine and let a single play through. We play one more hole and then let another single go through. The second single hits a low snipe about 150 yards. He says thank you and proceeds to his ball in his cart. He hits another terrible shot with a swing that looks like it was fashioned in a phone booth and proceeds to hit another ball from the same spot although his first shot was clearly in play. He proceeds to play two balls into the hole which is a 5 par and then again on the next hole. We were in disbelief as he was now holding us up.  Clearly there is no ranger around so we are stuck unless there is some sort of confrontation. One of the guys in our group says loud enough for the single to hear as we approach the green "can you believe this asshole is playing two balls? He hears the comment and heads toward the clubhouse never to be seen again. Does this remind you guys of any similar situations?

[Dan Herrmann]

Tim,
I was once playing at Broadmore GC in Portland (a daily fee course).  The group ahead of us is playing like a banana slug.  Well, I was a lot younger and more stupid, so I yell at them, "Come on, get moving" on a par 3.  Guy drives back and looks like he wants to beat the crap out of me.  Fortunately, I'm a lot bigger than he is and he just yells some silly thing questioning whether or not I liked girls.  I replied with something pretty funny and we all start laughing. Guy gets so irked he drives his golf cart over the green.

But it's not limited to public golf.  Across the street from Broadmore is Riverside GC (H. Chandler Egan).  I'm a member there, and it's a nice, friendly club with a few wacky members.  One of these nut jobs tees off on #13 and is upset because there's a prison next door, and the guys are making noise on the outdoor weight machines.  So the member decides to show the prisoners who's boss and helicopters his driver into the prison rec yard.   Needless to say, you don't want to give prisoners a golf club, and the guards call the county sheriff who proceeds to greet our friend on the 18th green for a nice escorted trip "downtown".    

Idiots come in all economic groups...

[Jon Wiggett]

Tim,

seems to me it was bad etiquette shown all round Politely asking the single to speed up or let you through maybe???

[John Moore II]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

[Sam Morrow]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

The fact that you said that to him in the first place was classless, put yourself in his shoes, do you want some idiot saying that to you?

[John Moore II]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

The fact that you said that to him in the first place was classless, put yourself in his shoes, do you want some idiot saying that to you?

We had been out there for over 5 hours all ready and still had 3 more holes to play. This was the third time he had done that in a day and the shot that he hit (not sure if you've played Tobacco Road) was about 50 yards deep in the weeds that are fairly dense and knee high. There as no way possible he was going to find that ball. And I wouldn't have been stupid enough to not hit a second ball off that tee, if I hit a shot as far up in the weeds as he had. Either way, the guy was a tool.

[Casey Wade]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

The fact that you said that to him in the first place was classless, put yourself in his shoes, do you want some idiot saying that to you?

We had been out there for over 5 hours all ready and still had 3 more holes to play. This was the third time he had done that in a day and the shot that he hit (not sure if you've played Tobacco Road) was about 50 yards deep in the weeds that are fairly dense and knee high. There as no way possible he was going to find that ball. And I wouldn't have been stupid enough to not hit a second ball off that tee, if I hit a shot as far up in the weeds as he had. Either way, the guy was a tool.

After the first time why did you not suggest to him to hit a provisional ball?  A Lot less confrontational.

[John Moore II]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

The fact that you said that to him in the first place was classless, put yourself in his shoes, do you want some idiot saying that to you?

We had been out there for over 5 hours all ready and still had 3 more holes to play. This was the third time he had done that in a day and the shot that he hit (not sure if you've played Tobacco Road) was about 50 yards deep in the weeds that are fairly dense and knee high. There as no way possible he was going to find that ball. And I wouldn't have been stupid enough to not hit a second ball off that tee, if I hit a shot as far up in the weeds as he had. Either way, the guy was a tool.

After the first time why did you not suggest to him to hit a provisional ball?  A Lot less confrontational.

He was all ready up in the weeds searching for his ball when we got to the tee. Had I been there on the tee, I probably would have mentioned that me might consider hitting another ball.

[Sam Morrow]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

The fact that you said that to him in the first place was classless, put yourself in his shoes, do you want some idiot saying that to you?

We had been out there for over 5 hours all ready and still had 3 more holes to play. This was the third time he had done that in a day and the shot that he hit (not sure if you've played Tobacco Road) was about 50 yards deep in the weeds that are fairly dense and knee high. There as no way possible he was going to find that ball. And I wouldn't have been stupid enough to not hit a second ball off that tee, if I hit a shot as far up in the weeds as he had. Either way, the guy was a tool.

After the first time why did you not suggest to him to hit a provisional ball?  A Lot less confrontational.

He was all ready up in the weeds searching for his ball when we got to the tee. Had I been there on the tee, I probably would have mentioned that me might consider hitting another ball.

Then after the 2nd time why not just notify a tournament official?

[John Moore II]

Sam-That would require there were officials on the course. There were not. There was one Association official on the site that day and he was running scoring and such. He was not on the course anywhere to be found.

[Sam Morrow]

Sam-That would require there were officials on the course. There were not. There was one Association official on the site that day and he was running scoring and such. He was not on the course anywhere to be found.

Sounds like a poorly run event.

[George Pazin]

Kinda surprising to me that people are giving John a hard time about something that needed to be said. Could he have handled it more delicately? Maybe, but it doesn't bother me at all when someone who is blatantly inconsiderate of other golfers is given a hard time.

[John Moore II]

Sam-That would require there were officials on the course. There were not. There was one Association official on the site that day and he was running scoring and such. He was not on the course anywhere to be found.

Sounds like a poorly run event.

Well, it wasn't assumed to be a high level event. It was a Carolina's Golf Association one day event. I mostly played in them to have an excuse to get to courses around the state that I had not played, though I had played Tobacco Road.

But it was just a stupid thing for the guy to do, and I'd say the same thing to him again if I had the chance.

[A.G._Crockett]

If you've ever had to go back to the tee after realizing your ball was lost and not having hit a provisional, it is incredibly embarrassing.  I can't believe that the same guy would let it happen twice in one day, much less three times.  He deserved whatever was said to him.

[Mac Plumart]

AG...if there ever was a walk/drive of shame, that it is.  UGH!!!

[Tim Martin]

Tim,

seems to me it was bad etiquette shown all round Politely asking the single to speed up or let you through maybe???

Jon-I agree that a different word other than asshole probably would have been better. As far as asking him to speed up or could we play through he was a single in a cart who had already played through us. We had two players walking and two riding. How could he possibly hold us up unless he was playing extra balls on every shot or off in another world? We asked him if he wanted to play through as a courtesy and paid the price

[Jay Flemma]

The first time I played Tobacco Road, they paired me with two Scottish guys.  I was walking, they were riding.  The pro shop told them specifically not too take the carts in waste bunkers because it was a bit muddy still and they didn't want tracks in them.

Sure enough, on 11 the a&%holes - specifically after I told them not to try it - decide to takee the cart in a waste bunker on 11 and proceed to get it stuck.  To "un-stick" it, they spin out, donut, spit up mud, make a bloody mess.  I told them, "I'm outta here Jack. Have a nice day," and skipped a hole. To get away from them.  They heard it holy hell when they got in.  Imagine...a New Yorker teaching a Scot about manners on the golf course:)

[Tim Martin]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

The fact that you said that to him in the first place was classless, put yourself in his shoes, do you want some idiot saying that to you?

Hardly sounds classless to me. The sarcasm contained in John`s question was perfect. The guy had done this three times showing his total lack of respect for his fellow competitors and the game itself. Why should a guy who acts like this be treated with class? I don`t get it.

[Kenny Baer]

Sam-That would require there were officials on the course. There were not. There was one Association official on the site that day and he was running scoring and such. He was not on the course anywhere to be found.

Sounds like a poorly run event.

Well, it wasn't assumed to be a high level event. It was a Carolina's Golf Association one day event. I mostly played in them to have an excuse to get to courses around the state that I had not played, though I had played Tobacco Road.

But it was just a stupid thing for the guy to do, and I'd say the same thing to him again if I had the chance.

Sam must routinely hit one OB only to proceed to have to track back to the tee once he can't find it.  Either that or he is just a DB.

[Bob_Huntley]

The first time I played Tobacco Road, they paired me with two Scottish guys.  I was walking, they were riding.  The pro shop told them specifically not too take the carts in waste bunkers because it was a bit muddy still and they didn't want tracks in them.

Sure enough, on 11 the a&%holes - specifically after I told them not to try it - decide to takee the cart in a waste bunker on 11 and proceed to get it stuck.  To "un-stick" it, they spin out, donut, spit up mud, make a bloody mess.  I told them, "I'm outta here Jack. Have a nice day," and skipped a hole. To get away from them.  They heard it holy hell when they got in.  Imagine...a New Yorker teaching a Scot about manners on the golf course:)

Jay,

Don't think that all Scots are weaned on a milk of good golfing manners. I've seen some shirtless John Daly type bellies on the New Course and it is not a pretty sight and with sound it was worse.

Bob

[Jon Wiggett]

Tim,

you are correct in expecting a single to be faster and I don't think that you should think you played the price for letting someone through most players appreciate such a gesture. Also I would point out that all the manner of asking was maybe the required etiquette it did have the effect and said golfer stopped holding your group up .

I am amazed at the comment that an event that has only one official must be a poorly run one. Courtesy, etiquette and general good manners are dependent on the golfer. One of the things that makes golf stand out against other sports is that the players are required to up hold a certain level of honesty and civility whilst playing. If you think it requires a person to keep you in line then you are in the wrong game. This is maybe the down side of matchplay being less important nowadays.   

[Sam Morrow]

Sam-That would require there were officials on the course. There were not. There was one Association official on the site that day and he was running scoring and such. He was not on the course anywhere to be found.

Sounds like a poorly run event.

Well, it wasn't assumed to be a high level event. It was a Carolina's Golf Association one day event. I mostly played in them to have an excuse to get to courses around the state that I had not played, though I had played Tobacco Road.

But it was just a stupid thing for the guy to do, and I'd say the same thing to him again if I had the chance.

Sam must routinely hit one OB only to proceed to have to track back to the tee once he can't find it.  Either that or he is just a DB.

Or you don't know anything about me.

[Melvyn Morrow]

For $10 all you want to know about the Morrow, $15 for the New York Morrows and $150 for the Texas Morrows.

These guys have big warm hearts that will always holdout the hand of friendship first, but cross them and beware it could be your ‘Ides of March’.

Thick skinned perhaps but behind the gentlest and most compassionate of men.

Sorry that’s all you get till we see the colour of your money. Want to know more about Sam it may cost you
 
Melvyn

PS Morrows are always on the outlook to made an honest buck too.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Buy a  pay-as-you-call cell phone and leave it ('off', preferably) in your golf bag. Call the proshop when you can't stand what's going on ahead, or behind, of your group and let them deal with it. If they aren't on the case within a hole or two call them back and remind them of just how much money you and your buddies gave them in exchange for the reasonable assumption of having a pleasant day on their course, and how it will be just as easy for you and your group to spend that money elsewhere.

Most places realize that it's better to offend and possibly lose the business of an uncouth player by asking him to shape up than it is to let 'him' offend all the other players on the course.

[Kalen Braley]

I was playing a tournament at Tobacco Road, and for the third time in round, a guy hit his tee shot way up into the tall stuff and did not hit a provisional ball. So he had to drive back to the tee to hit another one. I said something to the extent of "man, I know you didn't hit a ball way up there and not think to hit a provisional ball?" Well, he says "you want me to wrap this G*d D##$ed 5 wood around your head?" He also quite loudly questioned whether or not I liked girls, much like Dan's case. So eventually, I just told him that if he thought he was man enough to do it, he could try and wrap that 5 wood around my head if he wanted to. He didn't and drove off cussing. Guy was a real idiot.

The fact that you said that to him in the first place was classless, put yourself in his shoes, do you want some idiot saying that to you?

Hardly sounds classless to me. The sarcasm contained in John`s question was perfect. The guy had done this three times showing his total lack of respect for his fellow competitors and the game itself. Why should a guy who acts like this be treated with class? I don`t get it.

I"ve played with John Moore on a few occasions and I completely back up what he did in this situation.  I would be extremely surprised if John said this in a "sarcastic" tone and was probably very polite in mentioning that he should think to hit a provisional.

After playing with me a few times, a hacker, he never lost his patience and was always gracious in tolerating my lousy play!!