To Annoy, or Not To Annoy

Greetings Golfers,

This past week, one of the big golf magazines had an article about what annoys golf course superintendents. 

Annoy might be mild … they also used the word “irk” … still pretty mild. I think words like “angry” … “outraged” … “furious” would be more accurate.

So … let’s walk through these 12 infractions:

1.) Tee-box Temper Tantrums … such as hitting the tee-marker and destroying it. Probably more than annoying.
 

2.) Early-Bird Practice Sessions … guys who hit 10 shots from the same place in the fairway … taking divots and destroying the area. Probably more than annoying.

3.) Off-Season Trespassers … obviously the course isn’t ready to be open … that’s why it’s not open. And obviously it’s fragile. Probably more than annoying.
 

4.) Litter-Bugs … yeah, that’s never good. Especially on a beautiful golf course. Probably more than annoying.

5.) Lip Disservice … at first I didn’t know what the heading meant … lipping off? No … it means wrecking the lip of a cup … usually by using the head of a putter to dig the ball out of the cup. Probably more than annoying.

6.) Reckless Driving … running over signs, driving on or near the green, driving through wet, roped-off areas. Probably more than annoying.

7.) Ash Holes … leaving cigars or cigarettes on greens or tee-boxes … or in bunkers. Annoying.

8.) Taking Excess Relief … the course is not a giant urinal … I know some courses don’t have bathrooms or enough bathrooms on the course. We do. Every 3 or 4 holes … and we’re adding another one this year … that means we’ll have  6 bathrooms on the course … not counting the Clubhouse. Annoying.

9.) Stage Whispers … complaints made so that the super hears them … but not saying it to his face. More than annoying. 

10.) Wannabe Bosses of the Moss … kind of like #9 … though more direct … but with an arrogant, condescending attitude. More than annoying.

11.) Icy Treatment … complaints about frost delays … as if the super controls Mother Nature. Annoying.

12.) Putting the Aggro in Agronomy … golfers mistreating the maintenance crew by hitting into them or making no effort to get out of the way. Charming. Probably the worst of the list. More than annoying.

So … why am I writing this? To be a scold?

Hardly. 

I was glad to see the article in a major magazine. Most superintendents don’t have much interaction with the players. Or have blogs … or other forms of communication. But … they deserve a voice … they deserve to be heard.

When I was in college, I worked on a grounds crew … that’s where I met our superintendent’s mentor. People don’t really understand or appreciate the amazing job so many superintendents do. You know how much work it is maintaining your lawn … think about having 100+ acres … and having vulnerable grass, such as on the greens … fairway grass is even more vulnerable than what you have in your yard. What these guys do is incredible.

Not only is this article about what annoys the superintendent … this stuff annoys the other golfers. So, if one of your buddies is doing this stuff … you have my permission to give him a nudge with your wedge. Not a full-out swing … just a little chip-shot.

As of now … we’re planning on opening April 11. Don’t want to force it. We’re blessed with one of the best superintendents in the state … we’re not going to mess-up his masterpiece by opening too early.
 

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com