Warning of ‘rise in poor golfing behaviour’
5th January, 2012 by Colin Victor
The manager of a London golf club has stated that he has seen a sharp increase in golfers playing at his club who are ignorant of course etiquette and the rules of golf in the past few weeks.
Neil Sjoberg, manager of Epping Golf Course, which is reliant on pay-and-play income, said the golfers play to a good standard and are keen to learn the rules, but their lack of knowledge is causing him problems.
“We have noticed a big surge in green fee players in the last three months,” he said.
“They’re very pleasant young men in their early 30s who have no attachment to any golf club yet play to a reasonable standard.
“They do not, however, seem to have any idea of etiquette, rules or general golf course procedure.
“This means they take divots with no thought of replacing them – the biggest divots are on the wrong fairways – how do you play out of a divot if it runs at 90 degrees to your line of play?
“They also are unaware of the procedures of calling through.
“They’re apologetic, happy to learn and take no offence when approached, but no longer is it possible to assume those playing the course are competent enough to be left alone.
“I always order 5,000 of the new Rules of Golf books but have distributed over 1,500 of them this year already!
“In relation, we’re seeing societies all of a sudden increasing in number. They seem to have a refreshingly relaxed attitude to golf, but many of them are unaware of either CONGU or the Rules of Golf.
“Are we alone in this experience in the south east or is it a general shift?”
Mr Sjoberg also revealed that golf clubs could use 2012 as an opportunity to attract visitors who are in the country due to the Olympics.
“Many people will visit the UK this year to see the Olympics yet they will doubtless have time on their hands and want to play sport. So we at Epping are starting the ‘Spectator Olympics’.
“Visitors, for a nominal cost of entry plus green fee, play an 18-hole round of golf and return a gross score. Each participant receives a certificate to say they have represented their country in the UK in 2012 in golf.
“We collect their names and addresses and the best three scores through July and September receive through the post a gold, silver or bronze medal, depending on which category, including juniors, females and seniors, they fall into.”
Mr Sjoberg added that he is producing a poster, certificate, 18 medals and a ribbon to help him run the ‘Spectator Olympics’.