Dogs on Golf Courses

[Shakester]

Was wondering which courses allows dogs on the course. In my area, I only know of one and thats San Geronimo, but I talked to the guy at the pro shop and he said it seems as if more and more courses are allowing dogs as long as they're leashed and well behaved. Of course, I think all courses must allow for a service dog.

[PattySal]

They all should!...that is as long as your dog is well behaved :clapping:

[golfortennis]

They all should!...that is as long as your dog is well behaved :clapping:

 

Every owner will tell you their dog is well behaved, just like everyone who plays music on the course has it at a reasonable volume that no one else can hear.

[Shakester]

I'm going to start calling the golf courses I goto to see if I can take my 10 year old lab. I know one course that would be okay with it since I always see the marshall with his little dog that he uses to chase the geese away from the greens.

[gotaholen1]

Really is going to be dependent on course ownership. Our owners as well as our head greens keeper always have their dog/dogs.

[golfortennis]

I'm going to start calling the golf courses I goto to see if I can take my 10 year old lab. I know one course that would be okay with it since I always see the marshall with his little dog that he uses to chase the geese away from the greens.

 

The problem won't be your dog. It will be your dog, plus the other guy's dog, plus.... go to the dog park if you want your dog to run around.

 

There's a time and a place for everything. One staff member's dog to chase away geese is fine. If anyone can bring their dog it will be disaster. Dogs start barking at each other, half the guys won't pick up after their dog...

 

Sorry I'm being curt but I had a mini confrontation just the other day at a tennis court because a lady had her dog running around loose. Sure enough, the dog started going over to pick up my balls. I asked her to tie him up. "He dropped your ball," she said. "Yeah but I didn't come here to get dog drool on my tennis balls. You may want that, I don't." I shouldn't have to be the one to say something about a dog running around a court, or a golf course.

 

And what are you going to do if Fido decides to chase after a squirrel, and ends up taking a ball that has come over to the area and goes down?

 

People vastly overestimate three things:

 

1)how much other people want to have their dogs around,

2)how well behaved they are, and

3)how much of a dog's natural instinct they can suppress.

 

Our super had a dog that was perfect, well behaved, never went chasing after anything. I say had, because one day he did chase something across the road, except he didn't make it across.

[swizbeatz]

One of my courses is fine with it. We have a member who lives nearby that carries 6-7 clubs for a quick 9 with his dog all the time. I've seen dogs on Kingsley as well which would be a hell of a place to walk your dog at!

[shanempowell]

They all should!...that is as long as your dog is well behaved :clapping:

 

Every owner will tell you their dog is well behaved, just like everyone who plays music on the course has it at a reasonable volume that no one else can hear.

 

And every parent will tell you their child(ren) is/are well behaved. Certainly courses have the right to ban both or limit the times they can be present. Whether music, children or dogs it all comes back to common sense and being courteous of others using the facilities.

 

My course has been very open to permitting dogs during slow times. The pro has said so long as it is off peak hours I can walk with the dog, play and have him off leash or take a cart if I need to run off some of his endless energy. I haven't tried playing with him yet but he has sat behind me on the driving range and we've walked a few holes. He's still a puppy but I won't try to play or have him off leash until I am certain he won't bother any other golfers or require more attention than I can give while playing.

 

If someone can not stop their dog from greeting strangers or chasing squirrels the golf course is no place for off leash walks. I can't confirm this but I've been told it is common in the U.K. To see golfers and dogs enjoying the course together. Perhaps one of our members from the U.K. Could confirm this?

[Sean2]

A good friend of mine trains service dogs, and he brings the dog he is currently training to our facility. It's amazing how well they behave, and I have yet to see one walk on a green, or even bark. He doesn't bring them to other courses though, just the one we belong to.

[Pepperturbo]

They all should!...that is as long as your dog is well behaved :clapping:

 

Every owner will tell you their dog is well behaved, just like everyone who plays music on the course has it at a reasonable volume that no one else can hear.

 

Yep. I visited an acquaintances house recently and encountered a rancid pee smell. Turns out they had animals that pee on the carpet, on all the furniture, cats on kitchen tables and counters, dogs jumping up on people and barking, etc... They believe their animals are behaved...

 

When leaving what constitutes "good" behavior to each person, management is in for problems. And people are the worst. If that wasn't so, Golfwrx wouldn't need marshals. :) :beach:

[Pepperturbo]

A good friend of mine trains service dogs, and he brings the dog he is currently training to our facility. It's amazing how well they behave, and I have yet to see one walk on a green, or even bark. He doesn't bring them to other courses though, just the one we belong to.

 

Service dogs in training are exceptions, as well as trainers, as they have a job to do and requirements to meet. Most people that have dogs, don't have remotely the same demands of their dogs. Its sad.

 

My dogs were verbally and hand signal obedience trained, etc., never barked. I regularly took them to the office and elsewhere. Never to a golf course where people may or may not have issues with big animals.

[Shakester]

If I thought my dog would be a distraction to me or anyone playing the course, I wouldn't even think about bringing him. But my dog is well trained. I walk him around the city of San Francisco without a leash. He loves everyone a little too much. My reasoning for taking him golfing is that he's 10 years old and I want to spend as much time as possible. This was a reason why I stopped playing golf for 5 years. Because when I got him, I made a commitment to give him a great life. When he was a puppy, there would be no way I would even think about bringing him to a golf course. Now, all he wants to do is just sit around. I figure I'd throw him in the cart and just get a round of golf in that way.

[tatertot]

Why can't people just go to the golf course to play golf?

[Titleist-Golfer]

In Santa Rosa, and nearby towns there are dogs just running free around the courses. Leash? Heck, I don't even know where therir owner is or to which house. Absolutely rediculous. Worst course for this is Foxtail south course, where you would swear you at a dog park. You have to wait for the fairway to clear to hit for fear of hitting one, then right as you are about to pull the trigger, you see three dart across again chasing each other.

 

Then there are the dog walkers - feeling like the cary paths are their walking paths through this open park. They look at you like you are crazy if you ask them to stop walking near you or in front of you, like "What's your problem? You can golf in my park when my dog and I are good and well done walking where we want."

 

You can't get away from it up here unless you can afford private.

[JDW3]

I have 2 dogs and would never bring either if them to the course with me. I love them but not everyone does. They are both fairly well behaved but have their moments.

 

Any dog could take off after a squirrel or do their business on a green or bark etc... It's just not a place for dogs.

[dan360]

St Andrews is fine with it. Among others.

 

[ryu123]

at Wine Valley in Walla Walla, WA several staff have dogs that follow the greenskeepers.

 

The dogs are very well-behaved, friendly, & never get in the way of play. They run next to their owners & have a great time.

 

I love seeing them.

[golfortennis]

St Andrews is fine with it. Among others.

No, they are public lands that really can't stop much of anything happening. Big difference.

 

Thankfully, while I was there I did not see anyone so self-centered as to think bringing their dog onto the course was a good thing.

[baaron008]

St Andrews is fine with it. Among others.

No, they are public lands that really can't stop much of anything happening. Big difference.

 

Thankfully, while I was there I did not see anyone so self-centered as to think bringing their dog onto the course was a good thing.

 

Do Scotland cities/towns have the inability to pass municipal ordinances?

[Hot Rod 71]

I'm going to start calling the golf courses I goto to see if I can take my 10 year old lab. I know one course that would be okay with it since I always see the marshall with his little dog that he uses to chase the geese away from the greens.

 

The problem won't be your dog. It will be your dog, plus the other guy's dog, plus.... go to the dog park if you want your dog to run around.

 

There's a time and a place for everything. One staff member's dog to chase away geese is fine. If anyone can bring their dog it will be disaster. Dogs start barking at each other, half the guys won't pick up after their dog...

 

Sorry I'm being curt but I had a mini confrontation just the other day at a tennis court because a lady had her dog running around loose. Sure enough, the dog started going over to pick up my balls. I asked her to tie him up. "He dropped your ball," she said. "Yeah but I didn't come here to get dog drool on my tennis balls. You may want that, I don't." I shouldn't have to be the one to say something about a dog running around a court, or a golf course.

 

And what are you going to do if Fido decides to chase after a squirrel, and ends up taking a ball that has come over to the area and goes down?

 

People vastly overestimate three things:

 

1)how much other people want to have their dogs around,

2)how well behaved they are, and

3)how much of a dog's natural instinct they can suppress.

 

Our super had a dog that was perfect, well behaved, never went chasing after anything. I say had, because one day he did chase something across the road, except he didn't make it across.

 

This post pretty much says it all.

 

Though the main issue I would have as a golf course employee is if you let one do it, you have to let all do it. Next thing you know your ball lands in a pile of sh*t left by some slug who thinks dog turds are good for the turf.

 

It would only take one instance of a dog barking at a squirrel or another dog, or finding turds on the course to make me want to retract permission.

 

Its a golf course, not a dog park.

[FairwayFred]

In the UK members are permitted to bring their dogs with them most places. I've seen this at some of the top, most exclusive clubs over there. Chalk it up to golf culture which is very different than it is in the US.

[Badgergolfer2]

I dont know of any courses around me that allow it. Personally, Im not a fan of it. You dont need to take your dog with you everywhere you go and theres some places that arent for dogs.

[aluu2]

In the golf courses in Baton Rouge/New Orleans, I haven't seen a sign that ban pets. However, I would be too afraid to bring a dog and have it poop on nice courses. I wouldn't bring a pet.

[golfortennis]

St Andrews is fine with it. Among others.

No, they are public lands that really can't stop much of anything happening. Big difference.

 

Thankfully, while I was there I did not see anyone so self-centered as to think bringing their dog onto the course was a good thing.

 

Do Scotland cities/towns have the inability to pass municipal ordinances?

 

Go read up on the St Andrews links. Cars and everything...

[Sean2]

A good friend of mine trains service dogs, and he brings the dog he is currently training to our facility. It's amazing how well they behave, and I have yet to see one walk on a green, or even bark. He doesn't bring them to other courses though, just the one we belong to.

 

Service dogs in training are exceptions, as well as trainers, as they have a job to do and requirements to meet. Most people that have dogs, don't have remotely the same demands of their dogs. Its sad.

 

My dogs were verbally and hand signal obedience trained, etc., never barked. I regularly took them to the office and elsewhere. Never to a golf course where people may or may not have issues with big animals.

 

Some folks raise their kids the same way. :-)

[youfromjoisey]

I love dogs although I've never owned one and I can see the concerns that some have posted. I played at a course where there was a dog that lived there. He came up to me on the 2nd hole and I petted him up. Hit my tee shot and went back to the cart and he was sitting there like a passenger and stayed with me until the turn like my Bud, getting out of the cart and then back in after I hit. May have been my most enjoyable round ever:)

[Golf31]

If I thought my dog would be a distraction to me or anyone playing the course, I wouldn't even think about bringing him. But my dog is well trained. I walk him around the city of San Francisco without a leash. He loves everyone a little too much. My reasoning for taking him golfing is that he's 10 years old and I want to spend as much time as possible. This was a reason why I stopped playing golf for 5 years. Because when I got him, I made a commitment to give him a great life. When he was a puppy, there would be no way I would even think about bringing him to a golf course. Now, all he wants to do is just sit around. I figure I'd throw him in the cart and just get a round of golf in that way.

 

This has to be a joke. However, I read San Francisco and get a better understanding. I do not mean to be completely disrespectful but if you don't understand I'm afraid only straight forward talk will do. A golf course is for golfing...please respect that even if you don't understand. A great number of us are playing golf to escape from the world. We play to relax, have fun, and not worry about kids, pets, and bad drivers while at a golf course. The name on the entrance or building has "golf" in it, not "dog park". Just because it is open space does not mean it is a dog park. I love dogs, just not yours or my neighbors. We have a guy at our club that brings his dogs out in the evening occasionally. He thinks the dogs running around fighting with each other is cute. He thinks everyone is fine with it because he is one of those people. You know, the type, the kind that doesn't get the hint. He looks for approval and finds it even when there is none. Please don't be that type of person. We may love dogs, just not your and especially not at a place with very specific intentions. You made a choice when you got the dog. Don't make me and others suffer because of your commitment.

[cardoustie]

I take my guy to the range and walk him on the course off season

 

I don't take him for a regular round

[youfromjoisey]

If I thought my dog would be a distraction to me or anyone playing the course, I wouldn't even think about bringing him. But my dog is well trained. I walk him around the city of San Francisco without a leash. He loves everyone a little too much. My reasoning for taking him golfing is that he's 10 years old and I want to spend as much time as possible. This was a reason why I stopped playing golf for 5 years. Because when I got him, I made a commitment to give him a great life. When he was a puppy, there would be no way I would even think about bringing him to a golf course. Now, all he wants to do is just sit around. I figure I'd throw him in the cart and just get a round of golf in that way.

 

This has to be a joke. However, I read San Francisco and get a better understanding. I do not mean to be completely disrespectful but if you don't understand I'm afraid only straight forward talk will do. A golf course is for golfing...please respect that even if you don't understand. A great number of us are playing golf to escape from the world. We play to relax, have fun, and not worry about kids, pets, and bad drivers while at a golf course. The name on the entrance or building has "golf" in it, not "dog park". Just because it is open space does not mean it is a dog park. I love dogs, just not yours or my neighbors. We have a guy at our club that brings his dogs out in the evening occasionally. He thinks the dogs running around fighting with each other is cute. He thinks everyone is fine with it because he is one of those people. You know, the type, the kind that doesn't get the hint. He looks for approval and finds it even when there is none. Please don't be that type of person. We may love dogs, just not your and especially not at a place with very specific intentions. You made a choice when you got the dog. Don't make me and others suffer because of your commitment.

 

Although I would love to see dogs on the course or anywhere for that matter, I gotta agree with you on your point of view. The golf course is for playing golf and some people that are paying good money to play should not be subjected to dogs running around, even if it is a small minority that doesn't want them. I also frequent a skiing forum and many of the skiers do backcountry touring and this same subject is disputed there. The difference is the mountains are not owned by anyone and people are not paying to be there. Even so, there is a lot of pressure on others to leave their dogs at home.

[Hawkeye77]

My dog loves the course - from end of hunting season until just before golf season starts. Otherwise during golf season he has no business out there when there may be golfers.

 

My dog is perfect, my kids are perfect, I can drive 90 mph safely when the speed limit is 45, my baby won't cry during whatever long concert/recital/speech, my pet python wont bite anyone - there are reasons many things aren't allowed and it's not because exceptions exist.