Drinking water policy at a course. Not filling your bottle!

[Bobtrumpet]

The two courses I usually play have several water stations on the course. I usully buy a Gatorade at the snack bar and fill another bottle before heading out, then fill them from the water stations as needed.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1375236576' post='7573022']
[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1375236277' post='7572976']
[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1375235206' post='7572820']
Maybe im misunderstanding something here... I love when courses have lots of free water available, but to say that they legally have to provide it?? How do you figure? If they said you arent allowed to bring your own water, I could understand the litigious response, but it seems like people are simply mad that they arent providing it to you for free.

It just seems like the simple solution is to bring more water with you. Or you can fill it up in the bathroom sink or hose (gross, I know, but you do realize thats what theyre filling those coolers with, right?).

If this is a very nice course, I agree that copious amounts of water should be provided with your substantial green fee... but the fact is that most courses are barely staying in business these days, and the more man power that its takes to keep filling water coolers is just an extra expense that they probably cant afford.
[/quote]

I'm not saying they legally have to provide it, but by not providing it they are setting themselves up for a lawsuit.

Imagine a player goes out on a 90*+ day. Its not a busy day because of the heat and the cart girl is sent home because its slow. By the time this player reaches the 8th hole he has depleted his own water supply. He begins to feel light-headed, weak, and nauseated, all signs of heat exhaustion. He walks off the green feeling confused, and faints. There is no one around and he eventually starts seizing from the effects of heat stroke. Hopefully, someone will eventually find him before he dies.

If this person is found, and recovers, don't you think he would have a case against the course?
[/quote]

Im not sure where the presumption that he course has to babysit people and make sure they stay hydrated enough comes from. I think we are all responsible for our own well being.

Now, if the course didnt allow you to bring your own water, or didnt allow you to leave the hole you were on to get back to the clubhouse, or locked you inside the gates until you finished your round...fine. But its absolutely the responsibility of each of us to make sure that we adequately hydrate ourselves on hot days.

This is like suing burger king for making you fat. Sure, you can do it, but youre not gonna win.
[/quote]

Please understand that I am all about personal responsibility. My point comes from the fact that we have become a dependent nation with a strong sense of entitlement that is willing to bring forth a lawsuit for spilling hot coffee in our own laps, and then saying we didn't know it was hot. This did happen to McDonalds.

I am not for suing a course because I didn't bring my own water and they didn't provide it for me. I'm simply stating the opportunity is there and that there are some who would take advantage of it.

[OldGolfer87]

After the scare about water containers on the course from 4 or 5 years ago most everyone stopped putting them out .... so i bring my own....., i found a 24 oz .. polycarbonant bottle which i freeze about 1/2 and it last 18 holes

[Krt22]

[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1375236277' post='7572976']
[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1375235206' post='7572820']
Maybe im misunderstanding something here... I love when courses have lots of free water available, but to say that they legally have to provide it?? How do you figure? If they said you arent allowed to bring your own water, I could understand the litigious response, but it seems like people are simply mad that they arent providing it to you for free.

It just seems like the simple solution is to bring more water with you. Or you can fill it up in the bathroom sink or hose (gross, I know, but you do realize thats what theyre filling those coolers with, right?).

If this is a very nice course, I agree that copious amounts of water should be provided with your substantial green fee... but the fact is that most courses are barely staying in business these days, and the more man power that its takes to keep filling water coolers is just an extra expense that they probably cant afford.
[/quote]

I'm not saying they legally have to provide it, but by not providing it they are setting themselves up for a lawsuit.

Imagine a player goes out on a 90*+ day. Its not a busy day because of the heat and the cart girl is sent home because its slow. By the time this player reaches the 8th hole he has depleted his own water supply. He begins to feel light-headed, weak, and nauseated, all signs of heat exhaustion. He walks off the green feeling confused, and faints. There is no one around and he eventually starts seizing from the effects of heat stroke. Hopefully, someone will eventually find him before he dies.

If this person is found, and recovers, don't you think he would have a case against the course?
[/quote]

I doubt it, its not like they are forcing you to play the course and are liable for holding your hand and baby sitting. If it did ever happen, with every round you play they will force us to sign a liability waiver assuming the risk of walking in the heat with limited hydration

[Greenie]

I don't care if a course has water or not as long as I can bring my own. Also I wish they would post it if they don't suppy it. I will plan accordingly and bring more.
I'm sure this course is hurting and maybe came up with this ill advised idea to cut some help. Just have the ranger bring water around. I know their rates were $48 dropped to $38 and are now $35.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Krt22' timestamp='1375237941' post='7573212']
[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1375236277' post='7572976']
[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1375235206' post='7572820']
Maybe im misunderstanding something here... I love when courses have lots of free water available, but to say that they legally have to provide it?? How do you figure? If they said you arent allowed to bring your own water, I could understand the litigious response, but it seems like people are simply mad that they arent providing it to you for free.

It just seems like the simple solution is to bring more water with you. Or you can fill it up in the bathroom sink or hose (gross, I know, but you do realize thats what theyre filling those coolers with, right?).

If this is a very nice course, I agree that copious amounts of water should be provided with your substantial green fee... but the fact is that most courses are barely staying in business these days, and the more man power that its takes to keep filling water coolers is just an extra expense that they probably cant afford.
[/quote]

I'm not saying they legally have to provide it, but by not providing it they are setting themselves up for a lawsuit.

Imagine a player goes out on a 90*+ day. Its not a busy day because of the heat and the cart girl is sent home because its slow. By the time this player reaches the 8th hole he has depleted his own water supply. He begins to feel light-headed, weak, and nauseated, all signs of heat exhaustion. He walks off the green feeling confused, and faints. There is no one around and he eventually starts seizing from the effects of heat stroke. Hopefully, someone will eventually find him before he dies.

If this person is found, and recovers, don't you think he would have a case against the course?
[/quote]

I doubt it, its not like they are forcing you to play the course and are liable for holding your hand and baby sitting. If it did ever happen, with every round you play they will force us to sign a liability waiver assuming the risk of walking in the heat with limited hydration
[/quote]

Also consider the negative press and news coverage that could be had with a few phone calls.

[Parker0065]

Just pack your own water or play somewhere else!

If I'm playing a course that doesn't provide a water source on the course the night before I will put 2 bottles in the fridge for the front nine, and two in the freezer for the back nine! Problem solved!

[Krt22]

My best counter-example is ski resorts. You pay $50-$100 a day, you are out there with other wreckless folks, drunk folks, tons of alcohol at your disposal, with tons of man-made and natural hazards. Yet the resort itself is 999 out of 1000 nor liable when someone is seriously injured or killed (which happens every single season). The only time they ever have an issue is if a death/injury is a result of negligence.

Not having the water jugs filled likely won't be seen as negligence...but the course would probably settle to give some leech a small payday and not have to deal with an expensive trial.

[ghabanos]

Is this for real? I mean is there actually a place like this? I mean I may be spoiled so I expect water in coolers at all time, if the course decides to put one out. The public course I play at here (there is only one coz of lack of land) even has complimentary ice.

Beside the point: don't out out coolers if your not ready to fill em up.

Don't get me wrong. I pack my own water... A lot of water.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Krt22' timestamp='1375239642' post='7573426']
My best counter-example is ski resorts. You pay $50-$100 a day, you are out there with other wreckless folks, drunk folks, tons of alcohol at your disposal, with tons of man-made and natural hazards. Yet the resort itself is 999 out of 1000 nor liable when someone is seriously injured or killed (which happens every single season). The only time they ever have an issue is if a death/injury is a result of negligence.

Not having the water jugs filled likely won't be seen as negligence...[b]but the course would probably settle to give some leech a small payday and not have to deal with an expensive trial.[/b]
[/quote]

This is my whole point. While I agree whole-heartedly that the course is not responsible for providing hydration, there is always someone willing to push the envelope. While the course may not be negligent, it will spend thousands of dollars defending itself and possibly face damaging press and news coverage as a result.

[Joe26]

When there is no water on the course and they don't allow coolers is the worst.
"Look, its just water."
"well they dont like coolers on the course"
I grab my bag and leave.

[LUMA]

What happened to the good ole days in the summer when the cart girl came by every 6 holes or so and says "Cold Towel?" What sweet soaked ice cold lavender and mint scented heaven draped around my head, face, and neck.

[Thug Hunter]

Those of you who brought up and are continuing with the argument or point made about hiring a lawyer if someone has a dehyrdation or heat related incident on the course. Please refrain from sounding like an idiot. I bet you're the same people that claim your back hurts on a fender bender that resulted in a door ding size dent.

Dehyration is not a cause of not having water while playing golf, it's a problem with not drinking enough water prior to playing golf. It takes very little water to maintain hydration during a round of golf if you don't start out the round dehydrated to begin with. I play in 100º+, bring two bottles of water and one gatorade and I have never had an issue. Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of, lay off the caffeine drinks prior to your round and you should be fine from heat related issues.

[Thug Hunter]

BTW, I've never seen anyone enforce a "No coolers" rule. I think that's more for the drunks that are loading up their case while in the parking lot. I don't see how any course, even one that has a no cooler rule, would give issues with someone bringing a small cooler with ice and water bottles. If they said something, I'd politely ask for my refund.

[eagle1997]

[quote name='Greenie' timestamp='1375238881' post='7573320']
I don't care if a course has water or not as long as I can bring my own. Also I wish they would post it if they don't suppy it. I will plan accordingly and bring more.
I'm sure this course is hurting and maybe came up with this ill advised idea to cut some help. Just have the ranger bring water around. I know their rates were $48 dropped to $38 and are now $35.
[/quote]

i think i know the the name of this course, but won't mention it until you do OP. it's a fun track, and conditions are usually good to very good. sad to hear about this idiotic policy. hopefully, they come to their senses.

[Don W]

[quote name='Greenie' timestamp='1375232186' post='7572364']
I am one that carries two 24 oz Hydro Flask bottles in my golf bag when I play golf filled with ice, water and a Nuun tablet in each one. I know some of you are against someone bringing their own drink with them to the course even though I am speaking of water and Nuun. (Nuun similar to Gatorade without the sugar) I have brought my own water for years after some experiences with empty coolers on the course. I use Nuun because I am Diabetic. Usually I go through my two bottles before finishing my round so I still rely on the course for water. I was walking last week and the temps were around 95. I never noticed the water coolers on the front nine because I didn't need any water. I kept going at the turn. While on the back I figured I should refill my bottles. I noticed all the water coolers were gone from their stands. A hole later I noticed the ranger and and several foursomes gathered around the ranger. I saw the ranger handing out little cups of water. I figured the ranger was bringing out fresh water and the guys ahead caught him and grabbed a drink. As the ranger pulled up to me I stopped and pulled out my bottles to refill them. The ranger asks me if I want a drink and I said yea the coolers have been empty for awhile. Then he sees my bottles and says I can give you a drink but you can't fill up your bottles. I said what? He says new course policy. He said the course was tired of people bringing their own bottles and filling them up using up all the water and then when someone wanted a drink they were empty. He said it seemed like all they were doing was filling up the coolers all day. So now the ranger will be riding around slowing up play rationing out drinks of water. I voice my opinion on the matter and he said I was part of the problem. He said we offer a beverage cart or I can give you a cup of water if you choose not to support the cart. I laughed and asked where the cart was since I hadn't seen one ( not that I was paying attention to it anyway) and he said it probably stopped running this late in the day. Am I going have to break out my Growler? Is this a common practice elsewhere? Am I so terrible I want to carry my water and or use the course water. I told a friend about their new policy and he thought if someone passed out from dehydration the course could be held liable. You opinions of the matter.
[/quote]

Our course has permanent water coolers plumbed into the water supply so endless cold water at handy locations around the course, on really hot days the ranger comes around with coolers of ice water and has never blinked an eye at my refilling my own water bottle from his cooler. Every time I read how wacky some courses are about little things I feel so lucky to live in a city full of common sense where they run the two munies the best they can for the enjoyment of everyone.

And then there was the county I used to work for that removed all water from the courses they ran after kids poured salt into the coolers, and not surprisingly the bottled water in the clubhouse doubled in price the same week.

[highergr0und]

Is there a spot to fill up at the turn? You should at least be able to carry enough liquid to hydrate you through nine holes, even 18 shouldn't be hard. You've probably got more of a chance of getting sick drinking out of a dirty 5 gallon water jug than you do roughing it around the course with just the water you can carry.

If people keep berating the ranger for trying to help and do his job as he's been ordered, they'll probably stop that service too.

[wingedfoot97]

The mere press coverage from a lawsuit about that would do enough damage to a course like that. It wouldnt matter if the suit was won or thrown out. The media would do them in.

[Flip4000]

I mean i think its a bummer that society has gotten so soft that common sense is now corporate responsibility and that there is even the chance that someone's irresponsibility could put a course out of business. Its kinda like the disclaimers at the bottom of the Nissan juke commercials that say" a car can not jump over buildings or rail slide". Noone should be dumb enough to do it but someone is always willing to try and make a million dollars by doing something dumb. I mean if its a hot day, you got to hydrate. I always drink a gallon before the round and bring a bunch with me to the course i mean its about your health. I just cant imagine people spending 4 hours in the sun without bringing there own stash.

Personally i carry a big water bottle but thats because i know i cant bank on courses having any water not because they are poorly managed but just because i am sure that water coolers run out of water probably faster than they can fill it. I always noticed the front 9 has tons of water but the back 9's are usually dry

[adamjstl]

The water coolers should be out on the course until the end of the day (an hour before dark). I don't care if it's 100 or 55. Regardless of whether you paid $15 on golfnow, or dropped $500 at Pebble Beach, it's a common courtesy.

P.S. I understand that the course doesn't want someone bringing coolers of beer, etc.... But water? Come on.

[wingedfoot97]

[quote name='Flip4000' timestamp='1375244566' post='7573960']
I mean i think its a bummer that society has gotten so soft that common sense is now corporate responsibility and that there is even the chance that someone's irresponsibility could put a course out of business. Its kinda like the disclaimers at the bottom of the Nissan juke commercials that say" a car can not jump over buildings or rail slide". Noone should be dumb enough to do it but someone is always willing to try and make a million dollars by doing something dumb. I mean if its a hot day, you got to hydrate. I always drink a gallon before the round and bring a bunch with me to the course i mean its about your health. I just cant imagine people spending 4 hours in the sun without bringing there own stash.

Personally i carry a big water bottle but thats because i know i cant bank on courses having any water not because they are poorly managed but just because i am sure that water coolers run out of water probably faster than they can fill it. I always noticed the front 9 has tons of water but the back 9's are usually dry
[/quote]

I believe OP had his own stash just couldnt refill with ranger or at a cooler around the course.

[LUMA]

I bring my own water as well. I carry a 24oz bottle with a filter. But in summer, I go through that in 5 holes.

I can drink a gallon on water during 18 holes and not piss all day.

[Soloman1]

I cringe at people throwing out the "L-word" about every little thing.

I'm old fashioned.

I'd just talk to manager, and no one less than that, and explain the situation and my opinion rationally, reasonably, without threats and without a drama performance. If they don't agree, I'd just move on. But, hey... I was born when Eisenhower first became president and I'm not very modern.

I can understand Greenies' position and guess there are just two options. Bring more water or be a customer somewhere else if they don't want to provide more water for their customers.

[MadGolfer76]

That's a bunch of jive BS. Probably some mid-management decision that wouldn't get far if the general manager/club president knew about it.

[24hrclown]

[quote name='Golfjunki71' timestamp='1375236176' post='7572958']
[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1375233628' post='7572616']
[quote name='Ballgofarboy' timestamp='1375232884' post='7572488']
So what are we saying, the ranger cannot be bothered to check coolers and refill as needed throughout the day.

Let someone have a heat related illness due to these silly policies and see where the lawyers take them!
[/quote]

^^^This^^^

Wait till someone gets sick and turns lawyers loose on them. They'll be pushing free water left and right.
[/quote]



I doubt it. I live in Phoenix and there are courses that got rid of their coolers due to someone dying from contaminated water.
[/quote]

A 16.9 oz bottle of sealed water from Trader Joe's cost $.19. I'm sure in bulk from other sources, it's similar. Loading a cart or handing a walker a few bottles is an impression on the customer that is a service that most wouldn't mind a $1.00 increase of a green fee. People feel more pampered and have a better impression of the course.

[SurfDuffer]

One of the courses I play did away with the water coolers a few years ago. The stated reason was the risk of someone getting sick because of the water coolers. We just filled up before going out after that. No big deal.

[Rusty88]

Can someone please post a picture of these coolers. Being from Australia most courses usually have a fountain out at holes 4 and 13 say that are piped to the water supply meaning no filling up.

I couldn't imagine filling up out of a cooler per se.

Although some public courses don't have fountains at the clubhouse so before and mid way your "encouraged" to buy from them or wait 3 holes and fill up.

[avguy]

This whole thread has me rethinking my very hot summer golf outings in the PHX area planning. There's been some AZ guys here already and from elsewhere who noted that the water "coolers" that some courses provide (like you see on construction trucks) have actually gotten people sick or dead. About year 2000 - at a course I played at that season in S. Phoenix since renamed and ownership changed - Thunderbird.

The two munis I play have several well-space city water (bleh!) but cold drinking fountains. The private owned courses I play generally have no more than 1 or 2 per 18 holes, the rest are the cooler types. At least, here in likely the hottest urban golf area they have sense to have H20 on the courses. Several of the private courses give their cart users an ice-filled back mouted little igloo type cooler for you to use no questions asked.

I now bring a 24 oz Polar water bottle, and one Vitamin water, maybe one Powerade. I had been doing a refill, since I play mid day to have best rates, less others. But now, my generous sized cart bag is going to be packed in some more with pre frozen empty powerade jugs of H20 - self sufficient, less noticed by those who run the course.

Aren't golf course mgmt. in the [b]hospitality[/b] business in the first place? I never have thought the customer is always right mantra should be honored like a Commandment, but in this common sense example, provide the paid player some free water - as much as they need, and sell them all the food & refreshments you want.

[Thug Hunter]

[quote name='Rusty88' timestamp='1375268241' post='7574568']
Can someone please post a picture of these coolers. Being from Australia most courses usually have a fountain out at holes 4 and 13 say that are piped to the water supply meaning no filling up.

I couldn't imagine filling up out of a cooler per se.

Although some public courses don't have fountains at the clubhouse so before and mid way your "encouraged" to buy from them or wait 3 holes and fill up.
[/quote]

Google!!!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=golf+course+water+cooler

[Rtkamphuis]

[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1375233628' post='7572616']
[quote name='Ballgofarboy' timestamp='1375232884' post='7572488']
So what are we saying, the ranger cannot be bothered to check coolers and refill as needed throughout the day.

Let someone have a heat related illness due to these silly policies and see where the lawyers take them!
[/quote]

^^^This^^^

Wait till someone gets sick and turns lawyers loose on them. They'll be pushing free water left and right.
[/quote]

The AWLU (American water liberties union) will be all over this. You have to call in during a PGA tournament and report a violation to get the number though......