Golf
“ “ 26 I PC APRIL/MAY 2017
The only thing that annoys me about greenkeepers on the course is that they go round in the same direction as the players. Sometimes they seem to be following me
Many of these smaller courses will also
use volunteer members to rake bunkers or help out with conservation and winter projects, and that opens up another can of worms (sorry to mention worms!). And, of course, during the winter months,
there is very little option but for greenkeepers and golfers to co-exist. A lot of golfers believe that they have paid good money to play and, therefore, have the right to play whenever they feel. It’s an understandable viewpoint, but very misguided. They have probably paid good money for their car, but that does not give them the right to drive it where they choose, especially if it endangers others. For most full-blooded golf shots, the ball
will travel at speeds in excess of 100mph and, to be hit on the head by a wayward, or deliberate, Pro V1, can cause serious injury. Golfers surely must be aware of this fact, but some still refuse to believe they are responsible for a lethal missile and launch regardless.
It is also understandable that
greenkeepers react furiously. “I got hit on the arm one day cutting the surrounds of greens. I picked up the ball and threw it into a gorse bush. The golfer approached me and asked why I did it? I replied by pointing out what damage he could have done and the arrogance he had shown,” commented one greenkeeper.”
In this instance, both parties were in the
wrong, even if the golfer had instigated the confrontation. Clearly, the golfer should not have launched his ball in the direction of the greenkeeper yet, equally, the greenkeeper should have been aware that there was an idiot close by playing a shot! It takes a couple of seconds to look up, move aside, allow the shot to be played and then speak to the golfer calmly - without injury or loss of ball. Of course, some of you will be thinking
“why should I do that?” Again, simply, to defuse the situation. The workings of a golfer’s mind would even perplex the brain of Prof. Brian Cox. Take this comment, for example: “The only thing that annoys me about greenkeepers on the course is that they go round in the same direction as the players. If they went against ‘traffic’, one would only encounter them for one hole. Sometimes they seem to be following me to every tee and green!” Or this one: “It is a golf course, golfers have right of way. Purely from a legal perspective, if the greenkeeper has right of way, then it would open the door to all sorts of potential suing. Same as pedestrians and cars.” That, in a nutshell, is what greenkeepers
have to deal with on a regular basis. So, how can the problem be resolved? It has to start at the sharp end, with the club, committee and pro shop.
The club/committee should:
The greenkeepers are spraying on the course, please do not lick your balls
- Set a first tee time of the day at least one and a half hours after first light. This tee time should change with the available daylight (with the exception of winter)
- Remind any golfer on the course before this time that he/she is breaking the rules of the club and risks losing their membership rights, or
- Put up signage stating that greenkeeping staff have priority on the course until the allotted first tee time
- Remind golfers that they must allow the greenkeeping staff to complete their work before playing their shot, unless otherwise
waved through
- Remind any golfer failing to abide by the above that they will be asked to leave the course
- Ensure that all golfers are adequately insured
It is incumbent on the golf club, as your employers, to ensure your safety at all times, and this includes the behaviour of all those using the facilities, whether in the clubhouse or out on the course. The club could face serious consequences if they were found to be negligent when it came to providing safety information to golfers.
The pro shop staff should:
- Ensure that no golfer is allowed on the course ahead of the first tee time, unless by prior arrangement with the club and the greenkeepers
- Make golfers aware of work being carried out on the course when booking tee times. This applies to both members and pay and play
- Ask golfers to respect the work of the greenkeepers by allowing them to complete their task before playing their shot
- Explain the dangers of hitting golf balls at other players or greenkeeping staff
The greenkeepers should;
- Go about their work (where possible) in a timely manner
- Move to one side and wave players through, where practicable and possible
- Avoid confrontation with golfers
- Report any golfer who does not comply with the above
- Be given powers similar to a course marshall should they see any golfer acting in a manner that does not befit the etiquette expected on a golf course
All the above should be communicated to golfers via the club website, notice board,
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