Greg Norman Aims to Make The Golf Course Experience Bigger and Better

[Mike_Young]

How strange that what we once all got for absolutely free — ie peace and quiet on a golf course — will cost us more and more in the years to come. The very finest, most prestigious, most historic, highest rated, and most far-flung clubs and courses will be the only ones offering “peace and quiet” as part of the joy of playing golf — and they will be able to charge a great deal for that (increasingly) rare privilege.

Not sure it will work that way Peter.  !.5 generations and all they will know is the new norm and will have no desire to play at such a historic etc club.  Plus the memebr that club will have been brought up in the new norm also...

[Ally Mcintosh]

How strange that what we once all got for absolutely free — ie peace and quiet on a golf course — will cost us more and more in the years to come. The very finest, most prestigious, most historic, highest rated, and most far-flung clubs and courses will be the only ones offering “peace and quiet” as part of the joy of playing golf — and they will be able to charge a great deal for that (increasingly) rare privilege.

Not sure it will work that way Peter.  !.5 generations and all they will know is the new norm and will have no desire to play at such a historic etc club.  Plus the memebr that club will have been brought up in the new norm also...

Not sure I agree, Mike. At least, I hope you're wrong.


Certainly in GB&I, one of the advantages of joining an older club is that along with generally getting a better course, you are indoctrinated in to a way of playing that hasn't changed in the last 120 years. The new players think the same way as the old. There's a good chance that will continue for another 120 years.


A good percentage of people will always view golf in the same way previous generations did, for peace, quiet and as a brisk walk whilst swinging a club.


Then again, maybe I'm being too hopeful. Other sports have been quicker to slide in to the mire of commercialisation at all levels.

[BCowan]

How strange that what we once all got for absolutely free — ie peace and quiet on a golf course — will cost us more and more in the years to come. The very finest, most prestigious, most historic, highest rated, and most far-flung clubs and courses will be the only ones offering “peace and quiet” as part of the joy of playing golf — and they will be able to charge a great deal for that (increasingly) rare privilege.

Not sure it will work that way Peter.  !.5 generations and all they will know is the new norm and will have no desire to play at such a historic etc club.  Plus the memebr that club will have been brought up in the new norm also...

Mike,


I'm afraid you are correct.  I played a blue blood Detroit club this fall with million dollar old homes litering the course borders. It was great to see 50+ year Olds using trolleys or carrying their clubs. One 4 some we went through was gambling heavily and asked us to play through.  They had music on their cart playing low.  This wouldn't of happened 20 years ago at a place like this.  It's really is not surprising in the least when the diaper dopper boomers raised children without ever teaching them the word No. Now the .00001% clubs Peter is talking about will enjoy golf like it was meant to be played.  I see myself quitting Golf in 10 years and playing Pickleball, culture seems to be much better. 

[MCirba]

As for music on the course...any of you ever notice how much weed use has picked up with some of the younger and older groups while playing?   The one hitters and joints are becoming more popular...

Where you playing these days, Mike?   

[Tom_Doak]

I played a blue blood Detroit club this fall with million dollar old homes litering the course borders. It was great to see 50+ year Olds using trolleys or carrying their clubs. One 4 some we went through was gambling heavily and asked us to play through.  They had music on their cart playing low. 

Doesn't sound to me like the culture of that club has changed much ... just that there are a few people who don't want to play by their rules.

[Ally Mcintosh]

How strange that what we once all got for absolutely free — ie peace and quiet on a golf course — will cost us more and more in the years to come. The very finest, most prestigious, most historic, highest rated, and most far-flung clubs and courses will be the only ones offering “peace and quiet” as part of the joy of playing golf — and they will be able to charge a great deal for that (increasingly) rare privilege.

Not sure it will work that way Peter.  !.5 generations and all they will know is the new norm and will have no desire to play at such a historic etc club.  Plus the memebr that club will have been brought up in the new norm also...

Mike,


I'm afraid you are correct.  I played a blue blood Detroit club this fall with million dollar old homes litering the course borders. It was great to see 50+ year Olds using trolleys or carrying their clubs. One 4 some we went through was gambling heavily and asked us to play through.  They had music on their cart playing low.  This wouldn't of happened 20 years ago at a place like this.  It's really is not surprising in the least when the diaper dopper boomers raised children without ever teaching them the word No. Now the .00001% clubs Peter is talking about will enjoy golf like it was meant to be played.  I see myself quitting Golf in 10 years and playing Pickleball, culture seems to be much better.

You are not talking about GB&I here.


You have to have carts before you can have music in them.

[C. Sturges]

Ally,
One of the first times I heard music on a golf course was 20 years ago in Salt Lake City.  It was two old timers with electric push carts blasting classical music!  They had to play it loud as they were both hard of hearing.  It never caused a problem because they played the first two holes in the dark and were done with 18 in under 3 hrs!
chris

[Duncan Cheslett]

You have to have carts before you can have music in them.

Exactly, Ally.


I have been reading this thread scratching my head in puzzlement. Carts here are used only by the very old or the infirm who otherwise would not be able to play. Why would anyone else want to use a cart?


I hope it always remains this way in the UK.

[BCowan]

How strange that what we once all got for absolutely free — ie peace and quiet on a golf course — will cost us more and more in the years to come. The very finest, most prestigious, most historic, highest rated, and most far-flung clubs and courses will be the only ones offering “peace and quiet” as part of the joy of playing golf — and they will be able to charge a great deal for that (increasingly) rare privilege.

Not sure it will work that way Peter.  !.5 generations and all they will know is the new norm and will have no desire to play at such a historic etc club.  Plus the memebr that club will have been brought up in the new norm also...

You have to have carts before you can have music in them.

Ally,


I take it you have never seen the movie Caddie shack?  Trolleys can hold phones with music.  "These times are changin"

[Tim Martin]

GN is used by so many and proclaimed a business man...if you can play golf at his level, have a 32 inch waist, straight teeth and blonde hair you can market a lot of stuff as a front man...Could be wine, golf car TV's, or anything.

As for music on the course...any of you ever notice how much weed use has picked up with some of the younger and older groups while playing?   The one hitters and joints are becoming more popular...

Mike-As far as the weed goes I don’t know if it is that there is increased use on the golf course but rather guys aren’t worried about getting caught or having any stigma attached. Back in the day the delivery system was generally a joint being passed around in a covert manner. Today guys have pipes, vape pens, one hitters and all kinds of other stealthy items to use. I live in Connecticut and although already legal in Massachusetts recreational sales have not yet gone live. It should be interesting next year on the golf course to see how overt it becomes. I heard a guy say a few weeks ago after partaking while the other guys were drinking beer “This is my Budweiser man.” It ain’t your father’s game any more.

[MCirba]

I can't even imagine trying to play golf stoned.   I'd probably just want to lay on a green and contemplate the universe.


On the other hand, was 8 over after 7 at Metacomet and bought a Bloody Mary from a nice young lady on the 8th tee.  I then played the last 11 in 3 over for an 81.


Similarly played the last 8 holes at Philly Cricket in 2 over after an IPA after the 10th hole last weekend so there's clean living for you!

[Ally Mcintosh]

How strange that what we once all got for absolutely free — ie peace and quiet on a golf course — will cost us more and more in the years to come. The very finest, most prestigious, most historic, highest rated, and most far-flung clubs and courses will be the only ones offering “peace and quiet” as part of the joy of playing golf — and they will be able to charge a great deal for that (increasingly) rare privilege.

Not sure it will work that way Peter.  !.5 generations and all they will know is the new norm and will have no desire to play at such a historic etc club.  Plus the memebr that club will have been brought up in the new norm also...

You have to have carts before you can have music in them.

Ally,


I take it you have never seen the movie Caddie shack?  Trolleys can hold phones with music.  "These times are changin"

Just not so much where I live. You have a different golfing culture over there.


Here's hoping we don't just lag you by about 30 years, as we do with many other crass "advancements" in society.

[Parker Page]

Eventually the cost of simulators will come down, these clowns will stay indoors, and we’ll be relieved of this nonsense.

[Jay Mickle]

Top Golf

[Peter Pallotta]

Mike - what I meant was that, just as today the remote destination resorts or the ultra private clubs appeal to those seeking a respite from bustling big cities or crowded public courses, so too tomorrow will those kinds of courses put an even greater premium (and price) on the traditional aspects of the game - like walking, caddies, quality architecture, and simple peace and quiet.
Which is to say: Greg Norman and his monied investors/partners are *promoting* a new kind of golf, but I very much doubt they’ll be *playing* it themselves any time soon.
It’s like the Rolling Stones writing  Sympathy for the Devil for would-be rebels, and then straightaway buying 45 room Grade II listed mansions in Surrey.

[Josh Stevens]

From my club's rule book.   Given most rounds played on the course are in competition, poor old Greggy would not be welcome.

MOTORISED CARTS Members must not ride on any form of transportation during any competition round unless authorised as an Approved Person.
Approved Persons are eligible to hire and ride in a motorised cart or gopher type vehicle for all club competitions. An Approved Person is defined as any of the following;
 • Approved Temporary usage of a motorised cart (for medical conditions up to 6 months) with permission granted by the General Manager upon receipt of a medical certificate from a medical practitioner, or;
 • Approved Permanent usage of a motorised cart which must be granted by the General Committee with the
submission of an application supported by a letter from a medical Specialist outlining the members medical
condition and reasoning for long term use, or;
• Members aged 75 years and over who are automatically classified as “Approved Persons”

A non-approved person may include their equipment on a motorised cart, however must walk beside and not travel in the motorised at any point during a competition. Breach of this rule: Stroke Play: Disqualification, Match Play: Disqualification.[/b]

[Sean_A]

As can be guessed, I am not keen on any improvements to golf which continue the trend of separating players from the course and hence the game. That said, I have played a few music rounds in the US and they were fine.  The course was cheap and cheerful, folks kept the volume down and the choice of music was harmless classic rock.  I still don't quite get the concept of music played that low, but hey, folks is folks, live and let live.

Ciao 

[Mike_Young]

I can't even imagine trying to play golf stoned.   I'd probably just want to lay on a green and contemplate the universe.


On the other hand, was 8 over after 7 at Metacomet and bought a Bloody Mary from a nice young lady on the 8th tee.  I then played the last 11 in 3 over for an 81.


Similarly played the last 8 holes at Philly Cricket in 2 over after an IPA after the 10th hole last weekend so there's clean living for you!

In the early 80's I caddied one tourney for a guy who has been a top tour player and is now on the senior tour for the last few years...he made no bones about it...it relaxed him...its been on the otur for years and now is in the open at private clubs...you would be surprised the various containers it is in from fake bluetooth speakers to two piece metal Yeti coffee cup....its more common than not...

[Dave McCollum]

I have a number of customers who smoke weed while golfing.  I've even heard of one who said he couldn't play because he'd run out.  For a number of years, I played regularly with a guy who we called "bowl a hole" but was a very good player.  One time I was having a very bad day and tried it.  It didn't help but I didn't care.  I do think alcohol can help one relax and swing more freely, but for me the magical number is 1.75 drinks.  Every day I don't like recreational drugs, but I don't care what folks do with their free time. 

[A.G._Crockett]

I generally wear headphones when I'm on the range practicing (as opposed to warming up) and I do it for two reasons:

1. good music, ANY good music, is good for tempo.
2. I don't have to listen to a 15 handicap giving golf tips to a 20 handicap.

But that's where it ends, and ONLY under headphones at that.  There are several reasons; one is that I like to hear stuff like birds, and the sound of the club brushing the ground on a practice stroke, and the sound of the club hitting the ball on a swing, and even the sound my clubs make as they go in and out of the bag.  That stuff matters to me, and is worth hearing, though I don't expect everybody to feel that way.

But here's what I DO expect: Playing music on a golf course, except between the green and the next tee, is AGAINST THE RULES!  Forget inconsiderate, forget musical tastes, forget volume, forget all of that.  If you are going to play music, then I get to play the ball up, rake putts, and take a mulligan whenever I want to.  Only one person has mentioned this in three pages, but it is AGAINST THE RULES!

[A.G._Crockett]

And I'll name three Greg Norman "fails", at least IMO:

1. His clothing line is now sold primarily in Steinmart.

2. He annihilated a really good Bob Cupp course outside Savannah called The Woodyard, which had one of the best sets of par 5's I've ever seen, and built his own course called Savannah Quarters.  Which isn't very good at all...

3. His course at Barefoot Landing is not just 4th of four courses at Barefoot, it's not in anybody's Top Twenty at Myrtle Beach.  I doubt that it makes anybody's top fifty, for that matter.  It just isn't very good, and it isn't much fun.

[Josh Stevens]

Not sure how the word "wanker" translates into American?

[Kalen Braley]

Not sure how the word "wanker" translates into American?

I lived in Australia for nearly 2 years a piece back.


I'd say the closest thing is douchebag....


P.S.  Dictionary says foolish or detestable....

[BHoover]

Not sure how the word "wanker" translates into American?

I lived in Australia for nearly 2 years a piece back.


I'd say the closest thing is douchebag....


P.S.  Dictionary says foolish or detestable....

When I think Greg Norman, the first thing that comes to mind is “Aussie”. You guys can’t disown him.

[Kalen Braley]

Well he's lived in the US so long now, he's pretty much American now!! 


P.S.  Apparently he's from Mt. Isa in Queensland, one of the most isolated places in the world.  His rise to be one of the games best seems improbable to say the least...


P.P.S.  A better equivalent for wanker is a Jerk-off, more accurately fits both parts of the definition...