It’s possible the women in the group ahead of us did not intend to be rude golfers. But they were. It’s possible that they just figured, “Hey, we’re here, they’re not, let’s play.” And they did. Only I was supposed to be playing with two of them. They were my group! At least according to the sheet in the pro shop.
Here’s the story. I belong to a league at my home golf club. Each week we sign up to play and are placed in different groups by the coordinator. I don’t know how she arranges things but I’ve played with low handicappers and high handicappers so I don’t think that’s how she sets up the groups. Sometime during the week the list of groups is sent out so you know the tee time, the course (we have two we can play) and your golf partners.
This morning I got to the club house, signed in and walked to the first tee on time, only to watch two of the players who were supposed to be in my group take off with two other golfers, leaving myself and one other golfer standing on the tee box—a group of two. A twosome following a foursome. Not unusual, but there was no need, and it just felt awkward and off base. Now I could take this all very personally… (echoes of childhood when I was last to be picked for the team) or just call it for what it was… a strange and awkward moment…
Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Is this anything to get in a twist about? How would you handle the situation?
A significant number of people quit the game of golf every year out of frustration, because they don’t play well or because of others ‘pushing’ them to play faster. So only the “golf nuts” or very good players stay with the game. Golf is hard and expensive. Unless you have an innate talent for the game you are going to be a slow learner. To improve requires a lot of money and practice. Generally, accomplished golfers have no patience for these kinds of people. If the slower folks let everyone play through, their game is extended to 5 hours in some cases while the fast players are done in 2 hours. When someone pays to play (and a lot of money in some cases) they don’t want to be pushed in their game, but are trying to learn the game and enjoy the surroundings. Conversely, no one wants to spend the day at the course. One solution is large and inexpensive practice areas at courses with qualified teachers so people can learn the fundamentals before venturing out on the course. For average people that may have to be subsidized because some may not be able to afford it. Are there other solutions? Put them here. Solutions, not complaints.
I agree with much of what you have written… It is very important that golfers play courses that match their abilities. A newbie should never be taken to a full 18 hole course that stretches to 6,000+ yards. Start with a local par-3 course, and only play a few holes. Do that until you are comfortable with your clubs. Too often I have seen a good golfer drag a newbie along, trying to give lessons to a wife or friend as they play! To make matters worse, they’ll play in the early morning when the course is full. Best to go out in late afternoon or evening and play a few holes…
And take lessons! Lots of them, from qualified instructors.
Wow, how rude. That is one of worst things ever encountered on the golf course! Do these women think they are better than any other golfer? If they didn’t want to play with you, the least they could have done was let you play first. I think maybe the coordinator should be notified. Who is this Saturday league for anyway? A personal tee time for these four girls? Let them make their own tee time in the future and the rest of the ladies can play according to assignments.