What can you do if a playing partner continually swears?

kevin99

I played in a friendly 4ball on Good Friday and one of the guys never stopped FFFing and blinding out of him.
I didn't know the guy.
I was enjoying relaxing round but this fellow just cursed and swore every time he hit a poor shot.
Eventually, I ran out of patience with his foul mouth and reproached him on the 12th tee.
I firmly asked him to desist from using bad language as it was unacceptable.
He just looked at me and then muttered something like:'for **** sake...
He didn't use bad language for the remainder of the round, within my earshot.
After the game he didn't shake my hand, but shook hands with the other players.
He said goodbye to the others, ignored me and went off
The other two guys, I only know one, did't make any comment over what I said to the fellow on the 12th.
Just wondering is there a rule or is it just etiquette that you don't swear or use foul language on the course?
What would others have done?

Sandwlch

Try harder to respect freedom of speech and that other people may have different views on acceptable language to your own.

f22

Are you a priest?

Opics

No offense but I hate your type of people. The type of people offended by everything :pac:

thewobbler

You should have been thinking of Our Lord on Friday, and not playing golf with strangers. You got what you deserved.

Queen-Mise

Kinda agree with the above. Remove yourself from earshot & let them be.


I would probably have commented on the frustration that led to the swearing & not the swearing itself. Keep talking to him & try to distract him a little - but that's me.

Halfprice

your lucky you havent played wit me so.. You might of had to duck as well as club might of be heading by you..:):).. While we are not perfect we strive for that 1 round of perfection of we get little pissed when we hit a shot that we know we really shouldn't be hitting poorly

Par71

I know what I would have said to you if you came up to me and said somthing like that. Live and let live fgs.

There is way too much stuffiness in golf still to this day, its like the tiger spitting saga, I know its not nice to see but think about it, you look at a football match 22 players ALL spitting on the ground, these guys fall on the ground and roll around it, but you never hear of football players spitting out the dummy because of this!

The world has moved on since the early 1800's I suggest you do too.

alxmorgan

Just to balance the argument a little bit as OP is getting a right battering.
When I curse on the course I apologise to my playing partners immediately.
And I do try not to do it again.

To be honest a lot of it is that the better I control my emotions the better I play

As for whether you should have said something - well that's your own call. I probably wouldn't but then I'm new to golf and pretty much keep my head down on most things as don't really know what's what as yet

charlieharper

So what? I've come across worse things on a golf course than that.

k.p.h

Na if someone is swearing after every poor shot they hit in golf that means they must be swearing a lot .. .. Wouldn't mind the ol "Oh ****" as the balls sails OB but if someone is genuinely getting wound up and swearing after every shot I would have a word too .. Free speech .. How about the courtesy to allow other people to enjoy (or concentrate on ) their round without oppressing them with your ignorance.

I say ignorance because I see a lot of people who arrive on the course 5 times a year and bitch and moan after every shot. It's almost as if they saw Tiger on telly and went I can do that..

Or worse the 18hc player who is standing with the ball below their feet with 180 to go and when it lands in the front right bunker they go off like a nutter with tourettes after 20 cans of red bull.

I'v not seen any good golfers that ever go off like that. If someone go off like that the have not came to terms with how the game actually works. Which in turn makes them hit worse shots and go off even more. Vicious circle if you ask me.

I'm gone a little off point here as I'm talking about a little bit more than swearing..

WH BONNEY

Par71 wrote: »

There is way too much stuffiness in golf still to this day, its like the tiger spitting saga, I know its not nice to see but think about it, you look at a football match 22 players ALL spitting on the ground, these guys fall on the ground and roll around it, but you never hear of football players spitting out the dummy because of this!

A guy who spits on a putting surface is showing strong traits of a classless scumbag. I would put up with a lot of things on a golf course but this has no place in our sport.

Fursttimer

kevin99 wrote: »

I played in a friendly 4ball on Good Friday and one of the guys never stopped FFFing and blinding out of him.
I didn't know the guy.
I was enjoying relaxing round but this fellow just cursed and swore every time he hit a poor shot.
Eventually, I ran out of patience with his foul mouth and reproached him on the 12th tee.
I firmly asked him to desist from using bad language as it was unacceptable.
He just looked at me and then muttered something like:'for **** sake...
He didn't use bad language for the remainder of the round, within my earshot.
After the game he didn't shake my hand, but shook hands with the other players.
He said goodbye to the others, ignored me and went off
The other two guys, I only know one, did't make any comment over what I said to the fellow on the 12th.
Just wondering is there a rule or is it just etiquette that you don't swear or use foul language on the course?
What would others have done?

A lot of golfers, like any other sport, are very competitive and if things don't go their way they react in an angry manner. It spurns some people on. I do accept that other times it's just downright ignorant.

If it wasn't directed at you, there's no issue

Sean Bateman

Par71 wrote: »

you look at a football match 22 players ALL spitting on the ground

That's because:

a) Footballers are generally the scum of the Earth, and

b) Footballers run around and therefore produce mucus which sometimes needs to be expelled.

There's no place for that in golf. As for the clowns in this thread who think it's okay to throw clubs...it's not. Thankfully it's not the 1800s, although for golf the one positive back then was no nouveau riche scum or Grange Castle/Killeen taximen playing golf.

Standards and etiquette are vital to golf and should be protected.

cson

Sean Bateman wrote: »

That's because:

a) Footballers are generally the scum of the Earth, and

b) Footballers run around and therefore produce mucus which sometimes needs to be expelled.

There's no place for that in golf. As for the clowns in this thread who think it's okay to throw clubs...it's not. Thankfully it's not the 1800s, although for golf the one positive back then was no nouveau riche scum or Grange Castle/Killeen taximen playing golf.

Standards and etiquette are vital to golf and should be protected.

I don't think I've ever seen a post as drenched in pretentiousness as that one.

Take a bow son m'lud.

stockdam

I used to swear and curse when I hit a bad shot. At times I would throw clubs. Now I realise that it looks and sounds childish so I don't do it. My advice to the OP is to avoid anyone who hasn't the decency to learn self-control.

Brodick

Hey Kevin. I agree entirely with you. Players should respect etiquette in golf and their playing partners. Refusing to shake hands etc is poor form and out context for a"friendly" fourball.

Sean Bateman

cson wrote: »

I don't think I've ever seen a post as drenched in pretentiousness as that one.

Take a bow son m'lud.

The fact is that throwing clubs, spitting and loud cursing are NOT acceptable on a golf course.

Clubs should be more willing to dish out bans for this kind of thing (e.g. a one month suspension for spitting on a green etc).

The decline in standards within the game has coincided with the entry to the game of people from questionable backgrounds. They need to be educated.

cson

Sean Bateman wrote: »

The fact is that throwing clubs, spitting and loud cursing are NOT acceptable on a golf course.

Clubs should be more willing to dish out bans for this kind of thing (e.g. a one month suspension for spitting on a green etc).

The decline in standards within the game has coincided with the entry to the game of people from questionable backgrounds. They need to be educated.

Whilst I do agree with the first two points you make, the highlighted bit is certainly a case of the pot calling the kettle black. It's you who needs to be educated.

Sean Bateman

cson wrote: »

Whilst I do agree with the first two points you make, the highlighted bit is certainly a case of the pot calling the kettle black. It's you who needs to be educated.

I've been a member of a golf club since I was a child. I learned that throwing clubs, spitting, cursing etc are not acceptable on the golf course. You just wouldn't see that sort of stuff on a golf course. But since the game became more popular, there has been a decline in standards. I don't care if that observation offends you because it's true. There are far more scumbags playing the game nowadays and it's damaging the game.

It is NOT okay to do any of the following on a golf course:

Spit
Swear loudly
Wear jeans
Wear shorts that aren't tailored
Wear a t-shirt without a collar
Shout/make noise

Osgoodisgood

Sean Bateman wrote: »

It is NOT okay to do any of the following on a golf course:

Spit
Swear loudly
Wear jeans
Wear shorts that aren't tailored
Wear a t-shirt without a collar
Shout/make noise

Sean Bateman wrote: »

The decline in standards within the game has coincided with the entry to the game of people from questionable backgrounds. They need to be educated.

Ah yes. The friendly, inclusive welcome that is such an ice-breaker at so many clubs.

Sandwlch

WH BONNEY wrote: »

A guy who spits on a putting surface is showing strong traits of a classless scumbag. I would put up with a lot of things on a golf course but this has no place in our sport.

Are classless scumbags not as entitled to be on a golf course as anyone else?

TheMilkyPirate

Sean Bateman wrote: »

I've been a member of a golf club since I was a child. I learned that throwing clubs, spitting, cursing etc are not acceptable on the golf course. You just wouldn't see that sort of stuff on a golf course. But since the game became more popular, there has been a decline in standards. I don't care if that observation offends you because it's true. There are far more scumbags playing the game nowadays and it's damaging the game.

It is NOT okay to do any of the following on a golf course:

Spit
Swear loudly
Wear jeans
Wear shorts that aren't tailored
Wear a t-shirt without a collar
Shout/make noise

People like you are the reason many people are afraid to take up golf.

sweetswing

If ya play enough golf you'll come across people cursing and throwing clubs, this behaviour used to get on my tits ,but you can't tell others how to conduct themselves.
You very rarely see low handicappers loose the head on a golf course, and there is a very good reason for this, it's because it never helps it only hinders.
Next time someone is loosing it in your company ask them in a friendly manner "do you always loose it like that after a bad shot" this usually gets them thinking about it , and most times they stop , if that doesn't work start laughing at them every time they start to go off, bet a pound to a penny that will shut them up aswell.

Sean Bateman

baraca wrote: »

People like you are the reason many people are afraid to take up golf.

Why?

When I started playing golf I observed what my Dad and his friends did and then mimicked that.

They wore appropriate clothing, they didn't spit, they didn't throw clubs, their etiquette was impecable and if they cursed, it was under their breath and out of earshot.

Golf is a gentlemans' game played with honour. It's actually not a place for classless scumbags.

Adiaga 2

Sean Bateman wrote: »

Why?

When I started playing golf I observed what my Dad and his friends did and then mimicked that.

They wore appropriate clothing, they didn't spit, they didn't throw clubs, their etiquette was impecable and if they cursed, it was under their breath and out of earshot.

Golf is a gentlemans' game played with honour. It's actually not a place for classless scumbags.

When you were younger did the man servants at your father's club call you Master Bateman??

stockdam

sweetswing wrote: »

You very rarely see low handicappers loose the head on a golf course, and there is a very good reason for this, it's because it never helps it only hinders.

People who swear a lot or throw a tantrum think that they fool others into thinking they are better than they are and are just having a bad day. Nobody hits your shots for you and you are the only one to blame. Swearing just makes you look silly and is tiring after a while. Yes, better players tend not to have a hissy fit as it doesn't do them any good and just makes them look silly. They learn that loosing their temper just makes things worse and they learn that letting their golf do the talking is the best way to conduct themselves.

I had the misfortune to play with a prat this year who swore and threw his clubs at almost every shot. I said nothing as I was playing well and in a competition but after the round, I told the person who signed him in not to bother next time as he was an embarrassment.

If you are playing badly then shut your mouth and have the manners to allow others to concentrate.

Finno59

Not getting involved in the current argument , i agree with the OPs morals but i think he shouldnt have confronted him about it. That only annoyed him and i'd say if u ever played with him again he would be the same way . these people only stop when they realise they are making fools of themselves or when they realise it does them more harm than good. theres a fella i play with regularly and 2 years ago he was throw clubs up trees and smashin clubs against hills along with the blinding. He copped on he was bad and has controlled himself to a degree but has made it one of his goals to lose his temper

alxmorgan

@Sean Bateman - for me your argument depends a lot on what you mean when you use the word class.

Do you mean working class for example as those who have lowered the tone ?
Or do you mean class in terms of as defined by ones actions ?

If its the former then you're way out of line - if the latter then I agree to an extent.

But let's not be naiive here either - is wearing jeans on a golf course worse than cheating ?
And let's be honest there was a lot of cheating going on in golf well before jeans were spotted on a course.

kevin99

Thank you all for your time in responding to my post. I appreciate each and every individual response.
I was reared on golf from an early age and was told to always behave with dignity and respect for yourself and your playing partners.
I agree standards are dropping all the time.
The Celtic Tiger afforded certain individuals the opportunity to join golf clubs because they had the means to do so. Not the class though.
I don't mean working class either.
I have spoken to friends about this subject, who are members of different clubs. They all agree that certain 'types' joined during the boom years as they could afford the joining fee and annual sub. However, they do not understand nor abide by the golfing etiquette.
My normal four ball never spit, throw clubs nor swear loudly. They may mutter to themselves out of earshot.
I play off 6 and refuse to beat myself up if I'm having a bad round. There are far more important things in life than golf. I go out to play my best and to enjoy the camraderie and fresh air.
I don't think I should have to tolerate a person in my 4ball cursing and swearing at the top of his voice.
The person I referred to displayed a distinct lack of respect towards myself and my other playing partners.
I received a phone call since my earlier posting to say that a letter has been sent to the said member from the Golf club's Handicap & Social Committee admonishing his behaviour last Friday. And that was a complaint made by one of the other players in the 4ball, not me.

k.p.h

Sean Bateman wrote: »

I've been a member of a golf club since I was a child. I learned that throwing clubs, spitting, cursing etc are not acceptable on the golf course. You just wouldn't see that sort of stuff on a golf course. But since the game became more popular, there has been a decline in standards. I don't care if that observation offends you because it's true. There are far more scumbags playing the game nowadays and it's damaging the game.

It is NOT okay to do any of the following on a golf course:

Spit
Swear loudly
Wear jeans
Wear shorts that aren't tailored
Wear a t-shirt without a collar
Shout/make noise

Define a scumbag Sean. Your observations a worthless unless you can define what you mean by scumbag.

It's a silly comment really Sean in my opinion. These people that you are on about a probably poorly educated less well off people from a different social back round than you.I really shows you in a bad light even though I'm sure you have a valid point to make(right or wrong). But it dose boil down to the question "Should we let less well off people play golf?" , "Or Blacks for that matter?" , "Or Muslims?"


It is NOT okay to do any of the following on a golf course:

Spit.................................................Please don't spit on the green
Swear loudly....................................Please don't swear loudly
Wear jeans......................................Dumb
Wear shorts that aren't tailored..........Really Dumb
Wear a t-shirt without a collar............Your having a laugh
Shout/make noise.............................Please don't make too much noise you put people off when they are taking their shot....... FORE (Oh **** did I say that too loud)

Problem solved educate (not patronize) is the way forward. The standards and etiquette should be preserved but not at all costs. You have to allow someone to enter a community to see how the standards and etiquette works.

Actually I'v witnesses the transformation of a few messers that started playing golf when I did. Should have seen us on the first tee hacking the **** out of it with borrowed clubs. We were dressed pretty natty too defiantly did not look like golfers and were not behaving ourselves accordingly . The club captain happened to spot us on the first tee and came over. He spent a few minutes showing us how to swing a driver and then threw us a few balls saying "Ye are going to need them" he then said "enjoy yourselves lads, any questions give me a shout". One of the lads a 9 handicapper now and the rest of us out every weekend loving the game.

I think you should maybe expand you mind a little bit. Imagine all the manners and life skills that the "scumbags" could learn from playing golf and having a social circle with such decent etiquette.

Also If anyone told me I couldn't wear my shorts because they aren't tailored I would laugh at them.I can't understand a rule with no logic what so ever attached. It has nothing what so ever to do with the game of golf.

mr.mickels

foul language on the course sounds ignorant and is a reflection on those who can only express themselves this way. I would say you were right to say it to him if you wanted to, personally I would probably have just ignored it and not played golf with the clown again, but then again I would have to admit your approach is likely more admirable to tell him, but is more energy demanding. And there are ways of making the point without embarrassing someone, simply saying "language" after an expletive is muttered can often be enough.
As for those who think spitting on the greens and using foul language is ok, I am glad I don't play golf with the likes of you, and fortunately I don't know golfers who do that.

WH BONNEY

Sandwlch wrote: »

Are classless scumbags not as entitled to be on a golf course as anyone else?

On "a golf course" ? Yes

But no they are not as entitled to be on the course I am a member of and I'm sure there are quite a few more courses that they are not as entitled to be on.

In fact classless scumbags who spit on greens are most definitely not welcome at our club.

Fortunately we have standards that both members and visitors are more than happy to meet. If you dont like them then you can play somewhere that does endorse the standards you expect.

thewobbler

This thread has developed into a farce of sterotypes, worst case scenario-ism, and disgusting piousness.

I've committed all of Master Bateman's cardinal sins at one stage of my life or another, but can also earnestly assure you that I'm a fan of, and a willing participant in, golf's ettiquette. Slip ups happen.

What only one person on this thread knows is if the swearer-in-chief was being rude, offensive or hostile, and how often it happened. Depending on how innocent or voracious your personality is, you will interpret these things very differently.

BoardsMember

thewobbler wrote: »

This thread has developed into a farce of sterotypes, worst case scenario-ism, and disgusting piousness.

I've committed all of Master Bateman's cardinal sins at one stage of my life or another, but can also earnestly assure you that I'm a fan of, and a willing participant in, golf's ettiquette. Slip ups happen.

What only one person on this thread knows is if the swearer-in-chief was being rude, offensive or hostile, and how often it happened. Depending on how innocent or voracious your personality is, you will interpret these things very differently.

Good post. I'd be the same. There are people who misbehave or fail to observe the etiquette some or all of the time. The latter ones need to be educated so they can mend their ways. Their background or education is completely irrelevent. the above post that outlined how the captain dealt with a potential issue is a brilliant example how to do it, and great to see a captain act like this - not all pious and aloof, just have a quiet word. IT reflects well on him and theclub, and is likely the best way to get the desired result.

As for the OP, I commend him on having a word with him. But "repraoching him firmly" is probably not the best way forward to be hones. I would be no good at it, but the best way, in my opinion, would be to carefully choose the right time, and make the point in a friendly & informative way. A bit like the captain did.

xgtdec

Sean Bateman wrote: »

It is NOT okay to do any of the following on a golf course:

Sean Bateman wrote: »

Spit

i dont like spitting at all, as long as its not on the green ya cant say much

Sean Bateman wrote: »

Swear loudly

to semi quote Bill Hicks, If you dont like someone swearing in your company I suggest you take a look around at the world in which we live....... and shuttin your ****in mouth

Sean Bateman wrote: »

Wear jeans
...have to agree.....jeans and golf just do not go!!

Sean Bateman wrote: »

Wear shorts that aren't tailored

Women wear shorts...Men wear trousers, this is the way it should be

Sean Bateman wrote: »

Wear a t-shirt without a collar

my latest 2 ping tops have no collar...i suggest you mail them and tell them they are bang out of order

Sean Bateman wrote: »

Shout/make noise

this makes for really quiet chip ins and hole in ones, i dont think i wanna play with people that dont shout with excitement

Par71

Some people really need to get a grip here. Some of the comments being made are totally ridiculous. Yes golf was a gentlemans game but time has moved on, it's now a world wide sport played by all. And all are quite entitled to play. If there are still clubs so backward in thier views they won't last long in this very tough world today.

No I don't condone spitting or foul and abusive language on the course nor do I practice it, but really... Does the world not have much more problems than a few little fups here and spits there.

If I were playing in a fourball and a player was carrying on like that I would leave him to it and make sure I don't play with him again. Who gave me the right to tell somebody how to conduct themselves.

My tuppence worth, if you are that offended in life choose your playing partners carefully.

As for these comments about taxi drivers being scum and not welcome on a golf course, how dare you! Try and be a little more accepting of people and thier different ways.

golfwallah

Nobody minds the odd expletive ..... none of us are saints and most of us do it occasionally.
But, without wanting to sound too pious, constant swearing is another thing altogether ..... can be a bit of a pain ...... shows lack of self control plus an absence of consideration for others. Most people don't like it and will show their dislike either verbally or non-verbally (most extremely by not playing with your playing partner any more). Tell your "friend" he needs an anger management course or he'll lose a lot of friends quickly.

staker

So wearing shorts is a no-no?

I'm out tomorrow and not a hope I'm wearing trousers.

davo10

I think it depends on who your playing with. If I'm playing a 4 ball with my mates on a Sunday morning, then we swear, take the piss, tell jokes, wear what the club will allow etc. If I'm playing with people I dont know well or at another club I tend not to want to distract them or make myself/my club look bad by misbehaving/dressing in something their club does not allow. I personally hate playing with club throwers or people how shout in frustration mainly because their annoyance with themselves often kills the upbeat mood for the other three and because I do not know what to say to the guy except hard luck.

Irishvillian

kevin99 wrote: »

I played in a friendly 4ball on Good Friday and one of the guys never stopped FFFing and blinding out of him.
I didn't know the guy.
I was enjoying relaxing round but this fellow just cursed and swore every time he hit a poor shot.
Eventually, I ran out of patience with his foul mouth and reproached him on the 12th tee.
I firmly asked him to desist from using bad language as it was unacceptable.
He just looked at me and then muttered something like:'for **** sake...
He didn't use bad language for the remainder of the round, within my earshot.
After the game he didn't shake my hand, but shook hands with the other players.
He said goodbye to the others, ignored me and went off
The other two guys, I only know one, did't make any comment over what I said to the fellow on the 12th.
Just wondering is there a rule or is it just etiquette that you don't swear or use foul language on the course?
What would others have done?

Should have told him to "Shut the fcuk up" simples:D;)

kevin99

The other irritant is when visitors roll up our tarmacadamed drive in their white Hiace vans.
They park in the members' car park, which causes all sorts of problems as the doors of a Hiace can damage expensive cars parked alongside. The door of such a van caused a serious amount of paint damage to a member's Audi A 6 recently.
The security guy on duty that day had a lot to answer for. He should have directed the driver of the Hiace to park it in the visitors' car park, furthest away from the clubhouse.
Thank God, we still have the members' bar. At least there we are amongst our own.

kevin99

staker wrote: »

So wearing shorts is a no-no?

I'm out tomorrow and not a hope I'm wearing trousers.

There are still clubs where the golf course dress code states knee socks must be worn with tailored shorts. No short socks. My own club doesn't accept cash preferring members to use their official club card for purchases in the professional's shop, the restaurant and the lounge or members' bar. You top up the car monthly with around €100 to cover all your ancillary costs by direct debit.
Much handier than turning up with a €100 note in your wallet and nothing smaller.

kevin99

staker wrote: »

So wearing shorts is a no-no?

I'm out tomorrow and not a hope I'm wearing trousers.

You must be a member of a public golf club. Shorts are not permitted in my club unless they are tailored and worn with knee socks.

Lavattack

Sean Bateman wrote: »

There are far more scumbags playing the game nowadays and it's damaging the game.

It is NOT okay to do any of the following on a golf course:
Spit
Swear loudly
Wear jeans
Wear shorts that aren't tailored
Wear a t-shirt without a collar
Shout/make noise

I just want to say that these points highlighted are Sean's own opinion and not those of any national rule book or anything like that.

I am a member of one of the more prestigious clubs in Ireland and have broke every single rule according to Sean at one point in time and nothing was ever said.

And I am sorry but the "Wear a t-shirt without a collar" statement.......laughable Sean.... When you consider that a t-shirt is made without a collar in the first place. Find me a t-shirt with a collar and I will wear it but until then I will stick to my polo shirts thanks.

And I am just looking up at the shout/make noise part, I have played golf in a lot of countries on public as well as privately owned golf courses and have never come across that rule in my travels. Unless you own your own course I would doubt you have ever seen that as a course rule.



And sorry OP for going offtrack but after reading his comments I had to get that out. I have lost my temper a few times as I am sure you have yourself, we all do it. I think you did the right thing considering it had to be awkward for you to have to do something like that and its not something you would do if it had happened only a few times I am sure, so I say fair play. Just don't put yourself down on the time-sheet with him again

xgtdec

Lavattack wrote: »

I am a member of one of the more prestigious clubs in Ireland and have

Stopped reading once i got to this:D

derra

kevin99 wrote: »

The other irritant is when visitors roll up our tarmacadamed drive in their white Hiace vans.
They park in the members' car park, which causes all sorts of problems as the doors of a Hiace can damage expensive cars parked alongside. The door of such a van caused a serious amount of paint damage to a member's Audi A 6 recently.
The security guy on duty that day had a lot to answer for. He should have directed the driver of the Hiace to park it in the visitors' car park, furthest away from the clubhouse.
Thank God, we still have the members' bar. At least there we are amongst our own.

kevin99 wrote: »

You must be a member of a public golf club. Shorts are not permitted in my club unless they are tailored and worn with knee socks.

Now that is what you call trolling :rolleyes:

Ya get to meet all walks of life on the course with different backgrounds and professions and each and every person is entitled to play the game no matter what their background or profession is as long as they behave on the course.
Some of the worst culprits are from so called affluent backgrounds with all the latest equipment but could'nt swing a cat and they are effing and blinding through the whole game, not being quiet on the green, rummaging through their bag when people are teeing off, not repairing pitch marks, refusing to allow faster players through them, not having the courstesy to stop while another player is near them when they are taking their shot,throwing clubs constantly on the ground and not having having their mobile on silent or switched off for that matter.

All you had to do to that fella was keep reminding him ''keep it down there will ya'' , it's him that looks stupid not you and we all do it no matter what you say but little reminders and he will get sick of hearing you say it and should have the cop on to stop.

Jeans, tracksuits etc are not for a golf course, it's not much to ask in fairness it's just a simple dress code for golf clubs like other sports have theirs.

There was a thread ages ago on here enquiring about memberships in clubs and i think it was Donabate mentioned that you had to go to a meeting about etiquette etc which is a great idea and people new to golf know what is expected of them on the course.

CaptainPendulum

Talking/making noise on a tee
I just back away from the ball and start my routine again. If it happens again, I'll just say "Sorry lads" and not look at anyone in particular and back away from the ball and start my routine again. That usually does it.

Swearing/Throwing clubs
I'll mentally turn this into a match between them and me. This usually works for me as it focuses me on beating them rather than being put off by them

Dress Code
Personally I think if you can afford the sub/green fees than you should be able to afford a polo shirt and chinos in Pennys. Not too much to ask. I think the best thing you can do is to play in courses that allow/accept the dress code that you want to wear...if you want to play somewhere that allows jeans and soccer jerseys then there are clubs like that. If you want to play somewhere where "golf" gear is worn there are (luckily) plenty clubs where you can play. If you're not happy with the dress code at your own club take it up with the committee, otherwise do the decent thing and comply. Most clubs don't ask for too much...just neat, clean golf gear. Collarless shirts are now quite common, but these should be golf brands or close enough. Much as I like my "People's Republic of Cork" tee-shirt it's clearly not appropriate on a golf course.

NoelAPM

Just Skimmed through all the posts there and seen people talking about more people taking up golf and that they are uneducated ect.

My dad brought me to the Irish open one year when i was only a small chap, i was no more that ten yards from Colin Montgomery when he hit a bad shot. My ears were consequently subjected to a tirade of profanities from the man.

My point being i disagree with this attitude toward the people playing the game and generalizing social groups.

I spent alot of my childhood in Glasgow and therefore bad language is very much part of my vocabulary, I do not however scream it at the top of my voice or let my playing partners hear it unless im comfortable there understanding of it.

bustercherry

Being told off for not tucking in my top really grates on me, FFS catch a grip.

Corkblowin

Played a round with John McHenry years ago, just after he quit the tour. I got annoyed with myself when I hit one particularly poor shot and swore pretty loudly. I apologised immediately, and being the gentleman he is, nothing was said.

However later on he did comment that the only people who are allowed get angry an a golf course are Tiger and Monty (world and european No.1's at the time) and that the rest of us, including him, are not good enough to be annoyed at shots that are less than perfect.

Its stuck with me ever since and so until I'm playing golf for my livelihood I'll try not to get mad on the course (not always successfully admittedly! )