What would you do? Golfers circling backward to play extra holes

[Flip4000]

Today I was playing golf with three of my friends over at creeks bend GC in mn. We started 2 holes behind another 4 some with only a two some 5 holes in front of them. By the 4th hole we were on there tails and they were moving very slow, all of them going to each ball, taking extra time to search for balls in long grass etc.

 

From hole 13- 14 there is a fork in the road with a trail leading to 14 and a trail leading from the 17th which is next to 18. Since holes 14 -17 go around in a big circle

 

When we finished the 17th hole and were heading 18 we saw that the group in front of us had circled back to replay 14 through 18 again and had already teed off and all four were sitting in the fairway looking at a ball with no one on the green. There was another group who was at the tee box and seemed very angry.

 

Personally I think it's wrong to skip back and play holes that u have already played without paying like that especially when the course is packed. I thought about talking to the pro shop guy about it but I decided not to.

 

I know it's clearly in bad taste but I wasn't sure what to do. I have never seen anyone do this before during peak hours much less a whole 4 some.

 

What would u guys have done in this situation? Has anyone else seen this before?

[BuckyBadger]

I would only care if they circled back and were now in front of me!

Maybe they were all members so paying isn't an issue?

[TheDominator273]

They could also be first timers and not know where they were going. You did the right thing by not telling the pro shop about them.

[Flip4000]

I am not sure if the course does memberships but I was surprised that they would just jump right in front of another group and slow down another 5 groups of golfers

[Flip4000]

[quote name='lbj273' timestamp='1382832722' post='8062605']
They could also be first timers and not know where they were going. You did the right thing by not telling the pro shop about them.
[/quote]

I think they were pretty experienced golfers I saw them before the round hitting balls on the range then putting. The guys looked like it wasn't there first rodeo because its pretty well marked about which way to go. U would have to drive by a sign and the 18th tee box to hop back on 14

[Vindog]

I wouldn't have done a damned thing.

Bad taste? Maybe. Against course policy? Very likely. But unless the danger of physical harm exists, I find that it's best to just mind my own business.

Snitches get stitches and all that...

[HighSpeedScene]

You're not their parents - wrong? Yeah. Your problem? Nope.

[Fade]

I'd leave this situation for the very angry group to deal with.

[Thrillhouse]

I'd only say something if they cut ahead of me. Otherwise I don't figure it's any of my business, I don't own the course.

[Mitchell]

Although in poor taste, it did not disrupt your pace of play and I am sure the following groups addressed the matter in some way. If asked about it by course at a later point, I would be honest about it, but would not make a point to bring matter to their attention on my own.

[Girevik]

I'm very "by the book". In essence, they were stealing from the course. How it's this any different from someone who tees off without paying, or paid for 9 and plays 18? I think notifying the course and letting then deal with it is appropriate.

[Vindog]

[quote name='Girevik' timestamp='1382840361' post='8063151']
I'm very "by the book". In essence, they were stealing from the course. How it's this any different from someone who tees off without paying, or paid for 9 and plays 18? I think notifying the course and letting then deal with it is appropriate.
[/quote]

It's not much different, yet my answer is still the same. I'll leave it up to the private entities to protect their interests. Perhaps they should staff a marshal for such an instance. That I would probably suggest, but I doubt I would rat out a group directly.

[Thrillhouse]

I was at a salad bar at a grocery store the other day and this well dressed guy in a suit came by and stole a couple of cubes of cheese and ate them.

Did I think it was smarmy? You bet, especially considering I'm pretty sure he's a professional and should act better.

Would I have done it? No, I wouldn't.

Was I surprised he did? Yes.

Did I report him to the store manager? No, I didn't, and I can only imagine the s***storm I would have dealt with had I done so. I am sure he would have been yelling about the inconsequential value of the cheese and the fact that he is wildly offended at anyone suggesting that what he was doing was stealing even if it technically was.

[Sean2]

That's why at some courses I have seen snipers in trees...to prevent such occurrences.

[Flip4000]

It just kinda took me off guard. I thought it was a pretty bold move but it wasn't like the course dead on a week day evening this was a pretty busy time and it really interfered with behind groups because they were pretty slow. On 15 we had a 2 some drive by us while we were on the green puting the pin in because they thought we were slow, and they ended up skipping the next hole since when they got to the next tee box no one of that group ahead of us had even begun to tee a ball up.

[dlygrisse]

When I first started playing golf the public courses I played were all-day fee courses. Meaning you pay the fee you can play as many holes as you want. Some years later they changed the policy and you played for 18 only....it kind of rubbed me the wrong way, but if you were a regular and they knew you and you played a few more they didn't care as long as they weren't busy. If you asked they would usually say "go ahead play 3 more holes" whatever.

You can view it as stealing, technically...but you really aren't using any goods, cost of product etc. My point it...I would ask, most guys I know who work in pro shops would let me play a few more, especially if they know I am a regular. If a course backs up and no one is behind me I have doubled back and played a hole over again just so I don't stand and wait, especially at twilight and I just want to get some holes in....in fact the course I used to do it at I knew the GM and told him I do it all the time....he didn't mind at all.

Would I turn someone in? No, not my battle to fight. Now if I saw someone steal a box of ProV's from the shop I would call them out immediately.

[Imp]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1382844044' post='8063417']
That's why at some courses I have seen snipers in trees...to prevent such occurrences.
[/quote]... The Legends at Parris Island. (Yes, where Marines are made).

I agree with others...

Did they cut in front of me/us?
Yes: Call the course.
No: Move on knowing there's a beer waiting for me at 19th hole.

--kC

[rogolf]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1382958680' post='8067771']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1382844044' post='8063417']
That's why at some courses I have seen snipers in trees...to prevent such occurrences.
[/quote]... The Legends at Parris Island. (Yes, where Marines are made).

I agree with others...

Did they cut in front of me/us?
Yes: Call the course.
No: Move on knowing there's a beer waiting for me at 19th hole.

--kC
[/quote]

Disqualify them for not playing the stipulated round, or for practicing on the course. (this is a Rules forum)

[mr_divots]

End of season golf is often "every man for himself" out there with lack of rangers, starters, etc.
I've played the course once, but can't quite recall those holes. Fun track though as I recall.

[Imp]

[quote name='rogolf' timestamp='1382989720' post='8069867']
[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1382958680' post='8067771']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1382844044' post='8063417']
That's why at some courses I have seen snipers in trees...to prevent such occurrences.
[/quote]... The Legends at Parris Island. (Yes, where Marines are made).

I agree with others...

Did they cut in front of me/us?
Yes: Call the course.
No: Move on knowing there's a beer waiting for me at 19th hole.

--kC
[/quote]

Disqualify them for not playing the stipulated round, or for practicing on the course. (this is a Rules forum)
[/quote]Rules... and Etiquette.

[rogolf]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1383002064' post='8070823']
[quote name='rogolf' timestamp='1382989720' post='8069867']
[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1382958680' post='8067771']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1382844044' post='8063417']
That's why at some courses I have seen snipers in trees...to prevent such occurrences.
[/quote]... The Legends at Parris Island. (Yes, where Marines are made).

I agree with others...

Did they cut in front of me/us?
Yes: Call the course.
No: Move on knowing there's a beer waiting for me at 19th hole.

--kC
[/quote]

Disqualify them for not playing the stipulated round, or for practicing on the course. (this is a Rules forum)
[/quote]Rules... and Etiquette.
[/quote]

Agree, but Etiquette as discussed in the Rule book, not idiocy.

[Flip4000]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1382990640' post='8069931']
End of season golf is often "every man for himself" out there with lack of rangers, starters, etc.
I've played the course once, but can't quite recall those holes. Fun track though as I recall.
[/quote]

It is a fun course. It's fairly tight in places but slightly open but every hole is different. Definitely a course that requires placement and leaves you with a bunch of risk reward opportunities. It's a fairly over looked course because of the distance and sometimes prices but they usually offer great deals

[mr_divots]

[quote name='Flip4000' timestamp='1383005769' post='8071129']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1382990640' post='8069931']
End of season golf is often "every man for himself" out there with lack of rangers, starters, etc.
I've played the course once, but can't quite recall those holes. Fun track though as I recall.
[/quote]

It is a fun course. It's fairly tight in places but slightly open but every hole is different. Definitely a course that requires placement and leaves you with a bunch of risk reward opportunities. It's a fairly over looked course because of the distance and sometimes prices but they usually offer great deals
[/quote]Yeah, a buddy had the PGA card or whatever it was for 2 for 1 green fees. It was quite a trek to get down there for us, but it was only $11 once we got down there. I know a clubfitter who played down there and won the club champ once or twice.

[Flip4000]

yeah thats the deal we used too

[Flip4000]

would you guys feel differently if it was peak season or if it was at a much more expensive course like $100+ vs like a 30 dollar muni?

[TheMackDaddy]

I do it out of the love for the game of golf, and want to play as much as I can, especially replaying holes that I enjoy.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='Flip4000' timestamp='1383086636' post='8075753']
would you guys feel differently if it was peak season or if it was at a much more expensive course like $100+ vs like a 30 dollar muni?
[/quote]
Weekend, peak season, they should have a ranger out there making sure all is going well. Like I said, it's a little "serve yourself/every man for himself" during fall golf sometimes. People can fly off the handle for no reason at all. Let the courses worry about it, or the groups they potenetially slow down can call the pro shop to inform a marshal to get out there.

Sometimes courses/rangers are of little help anyway. Like has been talked about, they just don't want to "offend" anyone and lose even one customer. (As 50 disgruntled golfers pile up behind. )

$100 courses have gps on their carts and can track yer butt. LOL!

[TheDominator273]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1382990640' post='8069931']
End of season golf is often "every man for himself" out there with lack of rangers, starters, etc.
I've played the course once, but can't quite recall those holes. Fun track though as I recall.
[/quote]

I hated the course and will most likely not go back. It was in terrible shape when I played. You couldn't tell the rough from the fairway...in peak season. Greens were like carpet. Was really disappointed after making the trek down there and having heard good things about it. Definitely left a sour taste in my mouth.

[Vindog]

[quote name='Flip4000' timestamp='1383086636' post='8075753']
would you guys feel differently if it was peak season or if it was at a much more expensive course like $100+ vs like a 30 dollar muni?
[/quote]

No. Not at all. It's not my job to protect a private entity's interests, whether trhey charge 10 or 100 dollars. They can hire staff if it becomes a problem or if the time comes that they are losing money.

[lumberman2462]

[quote name='Thrillhouse' timestamp='1382843556' post='8063383']
I was at a salad bar at a grocery store the other day and this well dressed guy in a suit came by and stole a couple of cubes of cheese and ate them.

Did I think it was smarmy? You bet, especially considering I'm pretty sure he's a professional and should act better.

Would I have done it? No, I wouldn't.

Was I surprised he did? Yes.

Did I report him to the store manager? No, I didn't, and I can only imagine the s***storm I would have dealt with had I done so. I am sure he would have been yelling about the inconsequential value of the cheese and the fact that he is wildly offended at anyone suggesting that what he was doing was stealing even if it technically was.
[/quote]

It's called grazing.....and 90% of the time it's women.