By Travis Clement

GolfWRX Contributor

It was a nice Sunday afternoon here in North Alabama in late February and I, after getting clearance for a midafternoon round of golf from the boss (beautiful little blond haired southern fireball),  I went out to the course.   As usual, as early spring approaches I was not the only man to get free from home and enjoy this day but there was also a significant amount of teenagers or local high school golf teams out at the course.

This fact is the source of this discussion.  There are a growing number of folks at our fine club that seem to have a problem with local high school kids being able to play and practice at our course.  I hear lots of complaints about driving range abuse because of constant tinkering of swings by these youngsters and course play where a group of these kids strike out to play a quick nine but in the process slow up the other golfing members and the list I am sure goes on and on.  I would like to state for the record that I for one think it is great having these kids out on the course.  Having grown up playing myself and knowing how great this game is and how many doors it has opened up for me is the basis for that opinion.

Anyway, back to golf.  So I get my stuff together, stop in the pro shop to say hi to the staff, grab a soda and head out to first tee.  Playing two balls I play several holes trying to figure out my latest swing flaw when I come up behind two teenagers playing.   As I am standing on the tee behind them on a par four they continue to move quite slowly as they hit their shots and walk to the green.  No big deal, I think, because I am not in any hurry and I think it is possible they did not see me behind them.  So on the next hole I am standing on the tee box again and I am sure they see me now but still no gesture to allow me to play through, which as I said before, no big deal, just kind of impolite.  As I continue to follow them down this hole I observe both of these youngsters hit into a fairway bunker.  I watch as they go into the trap, hit their respected golf shots and then casually leave the bunker, stepping over the rake to get out of it.  They did not pause to rake it. Now, I thought for a moment that they were just trying to hurry to get out of my way but I doubt that because they have had little interest in hurrying thus far for my benefit.  So I proceeded to go and rake the bunker they had just left and by this time they were on the next tee box so I quickly caught up to them and asked who they were and I gave them a small etiquette class there on the No. 7 tee box.  Note the boys were very respectful and seemed sorry that I had to gently instruct them.  My position on them playing golf out at the club has still not changed.  The incident did get me thinking about what these kids and what some of the members are complaining about and how I just witness it and some things that I feel they should do to ease the animosity towards them at the courses they are allowed to play and practice on.

First and foremost, part of playing golf is the knowing and respecting the etiquette of the game. Granted in today’s world of golf heroes there is a big lack of respect for the game, in my opinion, and that is a topic for another day.  I think to be allowed to play and practice at a facility that the kids must have an etiquette class on how to take care of the golf course.  Also, I believe the team coach or Head pro at the course should teach this class.

They should be instructed on several topics to include, rules of the game, course care like how to properly rake a trap after use and repair ball marks.  Also local playing rules like allowing fast golfers to play thru, dress code, conduct on the course like sportsmanship and language and club throwing then  enforce these rules and make it tough on them if they are caught not adhering to these rules.  Remember a little bit of discipline goes a long way.

I think by doing these things you will gain the respect of your local club members. Once you teach these things to these kids I bet you also will see a huge change in their attitude and respect for each other and the course they are allowed to play on and the game itself.

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