Friendship
Friendship
Greetings Golfers,
A few weeks ago, there was an article circulating about a golfer running into a 10some on a golf course. Not a good situation … at least not for the players behind the group.
But is it good for the group? And why did they do it?
Probably out of friendship. I’m not defending it … just explaining it.
Players don’t always understand that they’re sharing a one-lane road. They get caught up in their little world and are oblivious to problems they’re causing the other players on the course.
This is tricky stuff. Here’s why: If golf is only played as a self-absorbed game about who is right … and “these are my rights” … well, that sounds like the attitude of someone looking for a fight.
Sharing the road … goes both ways. What about kind concern? Not just “I have my right!”.
A few years ago Down South … my playing partner showed-up late. He’d befriended a homeless guy on the side of the road … took him to a restaurant … and called the guy’s family in New York.
See what I mean … this is tricky stuff.
We’ve been tough about booking multiple tee-times. We’ve had problems. They always promise me things will be fine … and they probably mean it. But … we get no-shows, or late-shows, or slow-play, or just an entitled attitude.
Yet, so often it’s for good stuff: family reunion, wedding party, old friend get-together. I love that stuff. But … the reality is that it’s a one-lane road and they shouldn’t screw things up.
Here’s a fun one: A few years ago, we hosted a bunch of tee-times for a bachelor party. This was not a golf crowd. Probably wasn’t a golf shirt or pair of golf shoes on anyone … and they used all of our rental sets. On the first tee, I explained what was expected and wished them well. But … I kept my eye on them throughout the front-nine. My presence wasn’t enough … they needed constant prodding to keep moving. By the 10th hole they’d had enough (so I had I). A bunch had quit after 9 … so they came out to greet me on the tee-box on 11. I was circled by about 10 guys who were drunk and wanted to kill me. Somehow I survived and kicked everyone off the course.
As I said … it’s tricky.
The bottom line is that we all have to respect each other … and remember that we’re sharing a one lane road.
A round of golf doesn’t need to be “perfect”. We’re not isolated entities on the golf course. We need to think of other people as friends … sharing this planet. We get too obsessed with “rights” at the expense of being a good person.
We do everything we can so that your golf round can be smooth and around 4 hours. However, you’re sharing the golf course with other people. Real people. Not just objects.
Back to the 10some. Is it dumb? Yes. Is it selfish? Probably. Are they deliberately trying ruin other people’s golf experience? Probably not. Are they trying to enjoy friendship? Probably. Does our planet need more emphasis on friendship? Definitely.
But … 10somes are not fair … no matter how well-intended. Slow play in any size group isn’t fair … it’s a one-lane road.
We’re very proud of our pace of play … we take it seriously. However, we are not a factory. And a golf course is not a race track. But players should stay on pace.
This issue all boils down to respect. And we shouldn’t view other players as the enemy.
Viewing the other people on this planet as friends … would make it a much friendlier place. Let’s at least try it on the golf course.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com