Golf Forums - Members

Okay, so can someone tell me if I have a right to be upset. I was playing Ogbourne Downs today and had caught up with three 4 balls ahead of us. As a 2 ball we were consigned to a decent wait on the tee, but with only 4 or 5 holes to go it wasn't as if we'd been waiting on the tee at all 18 holes.

Anyway, in steps a group playing (I think) foursomes (two player playing alternate shots with one ball, yes?), and one of them says "I'm a member here and we're playing a competition and we have a right to play through. It's in the club rules and we'll be very quick".

Now we hadn't held them up at any point on the previous 13 holes and were a little stunned to get involved in debating the issue too much, other than to ask if we would be expected to let every other group behind us through if they too were playing in the same competition. To this he told us that members in competitions take precedence over green fee players and visitors. So in theory, had there been 10 groups behind all playing at the same pace then we could have been there for an hour or more, simply because we'd caught up with a group of 4 balls.

This same group who stormtrooped through my pairing then did the same with the 4 ball in front, and as I found out when overhearing their conversation on the patio afterwards, it was much to their annoyance as well.

Now part of my irritation was with the attitude which this was relayed and enforced on us, and I know from discussions in the bar there are now 6 players who left the course with a nasty taste in their mouths. This is a shame, because this is a gorgeous course with excellent facilities, and I have experience of other members who have only ever been welcoming to me in the past.

My own feeling is that I have paid my green fee and as long as I am not holding anyone up, I am treating other course users and the course itself with respect, then I have as many rights as anyone else. However, should I be upset with the way I believe I have been treated? Or is it just the way things are and I should get over it?

 You are not alone on this one Nev,this seems to be the norm for these private members clubs,the same sort of thing happened to me about a month ago.
The only difference is I was playing on my own,and this began at the 1st. 2 members insisted they had the right to take the tee as they where playing in the Captains Cup knockout a match play game.
I gave them the honour and teed off after,I followed them around until the 12th,long par 3,and had a wait on the tee.
Another 2 ball caught me up and asked what the delay was,I said the group in front where playing a match,to which they replied where in the same cup.
I just carried on and finished the par 3,and waiting to Tee off on the 13th, a woman came from another green and asked if I was on my own,to which I said yes and waiting for the hole to clear.
To which she replied you do know you have no standing on our course on your own and are obliged to let everyone through,especailly today as the men are playing a cup match.
This made me boil inside to which I replied I have already let 3 or 4 pairs through,and will follow on once the pair in front are out of range.
By now she had the company of a couple of other members,and repeated her self to me again saying I had no standing on the course.
The two guys had just finished the par 3,and there was 6 of us on the tee,I told the 2 guys to continue on and the woman then walked off with her mates.
I then decided enough is enough and also walked off.
By now the pro shop was closed,so I could not complain about the situation.
This happened at Romford G.C. I have played there many times over the years and know the pro quite well.
I told him what went on especailly about a 1 BALL having no standing,he said he would have a word with the secretary and sort it out.
The only thing I suggest is before you Tee off in future is make sure there are no club comps being played,or societys infront of you.
Some members of this club hate visitors,and make you feel very hostile,I have not played there since because of this and have wrote something on the club reveiws on the site.
There are plenty of other clubs around whos members attitudes are totally different and make you welcome.
Jack

What's annoying is that the rules have changed, and single players have as many rights on the course as anyone else, but there are a lot of people who still believe that a "single player has no standing".

Having said that, I have never understood why other groups would impose themselves on single players anyway, knowing that they are just consigning the single player to long, tortuous waits for the rest of the round. Whether it was a rule or not, I just think that common decency would prevail and you would let the quicker group play ahead, even if it was only a single player. That's just me though, and I have come to expect that some people just like to care little for others.

 You are right Nev the rules have changed,this is what I was telling this Woman who seemed to get great pleasure out of challenging me.
There appear to be members at every golf club who feel the have the divine right to do as they feel regardless.
As though we are treading on their hallowed ground,that they own,and is their little kingdom.
If I do break any rules,it is never intentional and will listen to be put right..
It seems that when you have your bag tag on display,its like a red rag to a bull,and there chance to impose on you and to scrutanise every move you make.
This is one reason I started doing the early bird rounds,on the course before the green keepers,no one else around,you had the course to yourself and go round in under 3 hours without rushing.Back in the clubhouse for breakfast (sometimes) AFTER you had played your round.
All before 9.00 a.m.then you still have the rest of the day to enjoy.
I think there are members like this at most golf clubs,it just fate you meet them.
Jack

The latest edition of The R&A Rules of Golf (2012 - 2015) includes a section on Etiquette and Behaviour on the Course.  You'll find, on page 20:

Priority on the Course

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term "group" includes a single player.


It may be a good idea to have a copy in your golf bag - it's a small book available at most Golf Clubs foc.  You could then have the satisfaction of being in a position to put a confrontational member in their rightful place - depending on their size, of course!

Any members that are rude should obviously be reported to the Club Secretary.  Most clubs are under financial pressures and need the Green Fee income that we provide, so should not be upsetting guests on their courses.    At most clubs where I have played recently, I've met some very friendly and helpful members who seem pleased to have visitors as they know that without us, their subscriptions would increase......but there will always be a few exceptions.

If there is a competition taking place that may affect pace of play, then you should have been made aware of this before you paid the green fee.   I would speak to the clubs concerned - if they know the problems they may do something about them.     

 I have reported the incident to the club pro who I know quite well,he will pass on my comments to the secretary.
I will post the outcome when or if Ihear anything,apart from not playing there again,there is no more I can do.
It is one of my favorite venues for golf in the area the course used to be a qualifying venue for the Open.
Like you John,I have played with members here in the past,thoroughly enjoyed it and shared a drink after.
Its all ways a minority in a club that act in this way,that create the bad feelings
Jack

Thanks John/Jack.  I have to admit that while the actions of one person soured the the day for me a little, it is hard to stay too mad when you're playing a course that's as nice as this one was.

As you've both experienced yourselves, I have met numerous members of other courses, and indeed Ogbourne Downs, who've gone out of their way to be ambasadors for their club. It's just a shame that not all members could embrace this philosophy when they put on their club jackets.