Do you try to hit the ball collector?

[smeech8000]

[quote name='boxerjoe2011' timestamp='1400917758' post='9358873']
A few years later I was the guy in the cart at a different golf course. I used to wear my Sony Discman to drown out the noise and when I went to the back of the range and a ball hit my cart, I used to s*** myself in that instant, haha.

Having said all that...YES, occasionally I will still aim a couple at the cart. They need to mature in the same way I did.
[/quote]

+1. Picking the range was probably the most therapeutic part of any job I've ever had... except for those moments when CLAAAANG you get drilled by a ball out of nowhere. I will still aim a couple at the cart every now and then, but long range only; hitting driver off the deck at a guy inside 50 yards is ratchet.


On a semi-related note, I can't believe sui hasn't wandered in this topic yet and groused about why it's in the "Rules Folder"

[Shiram]

I do not. Never really saw the point.

[SadTrombone]

[quote name='OBon18' timestamp='1400810798' post='9351223']
If trying to hit moving targets is what you enjoy then I'm afraid you're playing the wrong sport.

Never understood people trying to hit the collector. I have done that before and the last thing you want to be doing is dodging golf balls or hearing loud sounds every few seconds. It's completely pointless and when I see people doing it I lose respect for them.
[/quote]
When I see people judging others for behavior they (self admittedly) "never understood", I lose respect for them.

[blink3665]

I don't aim for them, but I don't try to avoid them either. If I'm working on a particular distance or target and the cart gets in the way... so be it.

The range I used to frequent had an odd path for the picker. It would go parallel to the range instead of perpendicular. I would stop what I was doing when I was at that range. The last thing that guy needs is to be driving straight at me and have me thin one right into the windshield...

[misplacedtexan83]

I remember them doing a short segment on the golf channel with Ian Poulter who was showing how to hit the ball collector with a low stingers....

[Sawgrass]

"Do you try to hit the ball collector?" No, I try to imagine what it's like to be the ball collector.

Before intentionally taking a shot at this guy doing his job, one should be required to jog out there to him, unprotected, and ask his permission. (Just rely on the good sense and decency of the other golfers back on the tee to make sure you're safe while you make the journey. I'm sure you'll be fine.)

[geesecougar2]

I used to drive the picker and I didn't mind if people tried to hit me from 100 yards and out. Hitting the picker then is an accomplishment.

But if they were taking shots at me from close range, that's a different story. Firstly, it's very dangerous because you're usually hitting a low lofted club. Secondly, it's not much of an accomplishment if you actually do it.

[Rohlio]

My buddy was driving the picker when we were in high school. It was not the best maintained piece of equipment in the world. The door when it slid back into place had a small gap in it...you know the kind just big enough for a golf ball. Yeah it smashed his orbital bone when somebody managed to squeeze one through the crack and he was looking the wrong way.

I have never hit at a picker since.

[KevCarter]

[quote name='Rohlio' timestamp='1401302856' post='9383331']
My buddy was driving the picker when we were in high school. It was not the best maintained piece of equipment in the world. The door when it slid back into place had a small gap in it...you know the kind just big enough for a golf ball. Yeah it smashed his orbital bone when somebody managed to squeeze one through the crack and he was looking the wrong way.

I have never hit at a picker since.
[/quote]

With all due respect for those with a differing opinion, this topic always surprises me. Rohlio, what a horrible incident for your friend, that is the first time I've heard of someone being hurt in this manner, and I've been on both sides of that cart for over 42 years. I'm sure there are other stories, I just haven't heard them. I would put the blame squarely on the club for not providing adequate equipment. Right or wrong, people have always taken a whack at the cart, and always will...

Kevin

[BlackDiamondPar5]

The problem comes when someone drills one into the side. The trajectory of a long iron or wood is asking for a high velocity impact and could be dangerous. Throwing a wedge shot up shouldn't be a problem to the structure since most of the balls velocity is from gravity as it descends.

[Rohlio]

[quote name='kevcarter' timestamp='1401307820' post='9383935']
[quote name='Rohlio' timestamp='1401302856' post='9383331']
My buddy was driving the picker when we were in high school. It was not the best maintained piece of equipment in the world. The door when it slid back into place had a small gap in it...you know the kind just big enough for a golf ball. Yeah it smashed his orbital bone when somebody managed to squeeze one through the crack and he was looking the wrong way.

I have never hit at a picker since.
[/quote]

With all due respect for those with a differing opinion, this topic always surprises me. Rohlio, what a horrible incident for your friend, that is the first time I've heard of someone being hurt in this manner, and I've been on both sides of that cart for over 42 years. I'm sure there are other stories, I just haven't heard them. I would put the blame squarely on the club for not providing adequate equipment. Right or wrong, people have always taken a whack at the cart, and always will...

Kevin
[/quote]

I agree with you that the lionshare of the blame does not lie with the golfer who was hitting at the cart, but rather the employer providing inadequate equipment. I the golfer on the other cannot know whether the cart is adequate without inspecting it. I can, however, choose not to hit at the cart in the event that it is. Really simple math for me. I gain nothing by hitting the cart, I potentially avert a problem by not hitting at it.

Others may disagree.

[diehllane]

I absolutely would if they picked up during range hours.
My local range picks up in the early morning. They don't open until 9.

[Hawkeye77]

[quote name='kevcarter' timestamp='1401307820' post='9383935']
[quote name='Rohlio' timestamp='1401302856' post='9383331']
My buddy was driving the picker when we were in high school. It was not the best maintained piece of equipment in the world. The door when it slid back into place had a small gap in it...you know the kind just big enough for a golf ball. Yeah it smashed his orbital bone when somebody managed to squeeze one through the crack and he was looking the wrong way.

I have never hit at a picker since.
[/quote]

With all due respect for those with a differing opinion, this topic always surprises me. Rohlio, what a horrible incident for your friend, that is the first time I've heard of someone being hurt in this manner, and I've been on both sides of that cart for over 42 years. I'm sure there are other stories, I just haven't heard them. I would put the blame squarely on the club for not providing adequate equipment. Right or wrong, people have always taken a whack at the cart, and always will...

Kevin
[/quote]

It is wrong. I don't disagree the safest equipment a course can manage should be used, but sophomoric behavior which is inherently dangerous needs to be changed. Since it's obvious from some of the remarks every time this comes up (not referring to you, of course) that behavior will be hard to change, I think the club also has a responsibility to be vigilant and try to change it and I would think most would discourage it. If our pro saw somebody aiming at one of the carts, he wouldn't be chuckling like Adams has Tom Watson doing, it would be stopped. I've stopped some chuckleheads from doing it, and others the same. Just not something you will be likely to get away with where we play.

[edwjmcgrath]

The new range near me has installed robotic range ball picker uppers. Kind of like big golf ball Roombas.
I can aim at them with no guilt.

[diehllane]

[quote name='edwjmcgrath' timestamp='1401334466' post='9386911']
The new range near me has installed robotic range ball picker uppers. Kind of like big golf ball Roombas.
I can aim at them with no guilt.
[/quote]
This would be awesome.
They should put targets on these... or impact targets with different colored lights so everyone knows when you hit one.

[Sonny217]

This guy would not appreciate this behavior.

 

[Exactice808]

Had a similar thread a while back.... I just cant find it in the search.

Anyways. I posted this before, I used to do this when I was younger I wont lie, but as I got older I realized how dangerous it was and then reality set in.

Bunch of High-school kids hitting at the collector guy, problem was, he was driving right up on the line no more than 10-15 yards away. These kids trying to hit laser beams with their driver full blast. One ball catches the collector and ricochets back toward the line of golfers narrowly missing a couple of us... Yups that was the last time I have ever aimed at the ball collector.... and I am sure the last time those kids would do that too.....

More Dangerous than fun........ and as stated above......just disrespectful to the poor driver.....

[rymail00]

When I was younger we would aim at it all the time.

Then I got a job at the course and was the collector, that sucked!! No cage. It was net that fit over the cart, and was pretty tight but balls would still push the net in towards you. Also there were sparatic holes in it too. You would see a ball whiz by and look and see the people laughing at how close it was to hitting you. Also early in the season we had balls plugging all over the range. They made us get out of the cart and pick balls out of the ground with some type of gardening tool and people would STILL hit at you, that was really dangerous.

At the course I belong to now is family owned. The owner, an old lumberjack in his early 60's picks the range with the same type of net over the cart. Hitting at him would result in quick termination of your membership lol.

Is hitting balls at the picker fun....hell yeah, but dangerous. Someone could get really hurt.

Just my $.02

[someon3]

I'll lob a wedge or two when the chance arises, it's quite enjoyable for me. But then again if I was driving it I'd be having fun if I knew people where hitting at me. If I was the type to feel disrespected while in the cart if others hit at me I'd probably lose respect watching others who do it. I suppose if I knew I was hitting balls near a guy who felt it was disrespectful/dangerous to hit at the cart it wouldn't cross my mind to hit at it at that moment.

edit: no way I'd hit at a cart if it wasn't caged well.

[spiffdogxl]

I aim at the cart all the time. I didn't realize this was an egregious ettiquette breach. He's driving it out there while 20-40 people are on the mats. Balls'll be flying and I'm sure he's aware. I've never tried to drill the cart with a driver or anything. Oh well.

[skylargolf]

I picked the range at the course that I grew up at for 4 years. All my buddies used to try to hit me, but it never really bothered me. I just didn't like it when it was unexpected because it would scare the tar out of me.

[BuckyBadger]

The last time I went to the range there was a girl who looked about 12 years old driving the ball Collector cart. She was going back and forth about 150 yards out. I couldn't resist so I hit a 3 wood off the deck right at her. The ball hit the front side of the cart and ricocheted under the cage and hit her in the face. The cart stopped and I ran down to her. She had a huge cut on her chin and blood was pouring out. It was a nightmare!

Oh wait...that didn't happen. I merely hit my shots no where near her and still somehow managed to enjoy my range time!

I know, call the NOFUN Police on me.

[barriec]

As in most things common sense prevails in accommodating the variance in human behavior and mores. Golf has its fair share of stiff absolutists and inconsiderate slobs.

Obviously, hitting low lofted clubs at point blank range is dangerous and irresponsible. Lofting the occasional wedge at the (caged and protected) picker however is childish behavior that I am glad I still exhibit.

[502 to Right]

Tom Watson is cool with it.

[Thainer]

I do sometimes when I'm not concentrating or whatever.

I used to be that guy and it's fun toying with the people trying to hit you

[Arpeggi]

No.

[kekoa]

When i was a 10 year old immature db yea. These days, never.

[HackinNut]

Of course I do! That's why they have cages on the cart to collect the balls! Otherwise they would have to shut down the range every time to collect the balls ... and no one wants that. Just say you are working on your "Tiger Stinger" knockdown shot! LOL

[SadTrombone]

So just now on the Drive, Chip & Putt Jacobsen was talking about how they aim at the picker whether he's out with his buddies or at a Tour event.

Yeah, terrible people they are.

I laughed.

[Mulligan26]

As the guy that (still) picks the range on occasion, I don't care if someone hits balls at me when I'm 100 or more yards out. I listen to tunes so when I get "CLAAAANG" its not as bad. Hitting low 3 woods when I'm 60 yards out? That's lame. I manage the cart kids/range staff and they all know they're going to get hit if I'm on the range. The cart is very well protected so there's no danger.