Comments on: Ted Dexter’s Ten Commandments

By: dan colbourne

dan colbourne — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:50:22 +0000

I feel some golfers get far too uptight about protocol. Let’s be honest, most people that play the game at the better quality clubs have respect for the game anyway and, in my experience, it is unfortunately those self-appointed ‘custodians’ that can ruin it for anyone who is out to simply enjoy a day’s golf.
I am a 14 handicapper and have played plenty of courses. The best welcome and the least unstuffy approach has always been on Scottish courses.
My feeling is that there is really no need for the mutterers and the moaners just because someone does not know EVERY damn bit of protocol and etiquette. Life’s too short!

By: Richard Heath

Richard Heath — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:03:06 +0000

Another thought is to let people determine their own pace but to strictly adhere to allowing faster groups to play through.

By: christopher sandham

christopher sandham — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:01:53 +0000

Lorne
Other considerations that may need spelling out are:
Time lost by average golfers pacing out distances from sprinklers etc.
Not leaving clubs/trollys in front of green.
Taking undue time to read putts that don’t matter.
Being more aware of following golfers and making up time by walking briskly. Those behind will be more relaxed if they see the game ahead getting on with it.
Chris Sandham

By: Ross Logan

Ross Logan — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:08:51 +0000

Get back to 2-ball only golf. Trying to explain other formats and how to speed them up is too complicated for most modern golfers who have not grown up appreciating the benefits of 2-ball golf.

Lorne adds:-
Ted’s 10 commandments, I am assured, are particularly appropriate to 4-ball golf, a format that he enjoys.
However much one might feel that scratch foursomes is the apex of the game, it clearly does not fit in with many golfers wishes, in this age.

By: colin marriott

colin marriott — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:54:59 +0000

picking up the point of lighter carry bags players should also think of where they leave their bag in relation to the best exit route from the green to the next tee when they first go on to the green to putt.

By: Mike Burks

Mike Burks — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:26:34 +0000

I’m disappointed to see that the first rule is to “honor the etiquette of the game”. While much of the honor of golf, particularly the honesty that is the hallmark of the game, should be cherished, wouldn’t it be better, if all agree, to have the first person at the tee step up and hit without delay? I mean really, after your ball caroms off of that out of bounds tree back into play and you clabber together a par to win the hole, do you feel that being ‘honored’ on the next tee is important to your enjoyment of the game? And why not have the first person who is ready to putt do so, instead of everyone standing and waiting.
These are commonly accepted practices at Crooked Stick where we enjoy the great pleasure of a brisk pace.

By: Brian Thomson

Brian Thomson — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:40:55 +0000

I agree that Ted’s ideas are very sensible although the first four should not have to be told to any proper golfer.

Personally I would add another :

Before teeing off thou shalt visit the Pro Shop to have a locked explosive belt fitted which you must return within 3.5 hours to have safely removed.

I think this could be very successful in speeding up play.

Keep up the good work Lorne - see you at Dornoch in August.

By: Robin Smith

Robin Smith — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:59:18 +0000

I support Ted Dexter’s views, and consider his proposals for friendly matches to be particulary sensible.