To expect a golf club to exercise discretion for new youth members!

[maturer]

Just need to rant as I'm exhasperated on behalf of my sons 13 and 14 and can't get past the "just following orders" routine of a local golf club.

My eldest 14 recently joined a local golf club. He'd been taking lessons for a while and advised to get better he needed to play more so try join a club. We found one (nice little 9 holer- reasonable price for children)he joined. I'd been to talk to the committe and expressed concerns over the elitist image of golf clubs and there often snobbish attitude (didn't want to teach this to my children, want them to know they can try everything in life- within reason)

Anyway I was assure - no not a problem here , will treat chid members well , actively encourage them ...good of the game etc.

So today for the 3rd time my son was turned away (with his younger brother) for an infringement of the club rules!!!! Had he sworn at someone? misbehaved, messing about, causing damage? no none of these ...his brother didn't have his own golf bag!!!!!! (he has one he just can't carry it so his big brother put his clubs in his bag for him)

last time- a friend he'd brought with him to play- hadn't correct golf shoes and another one a friend agin coming to try it out- smartly dressed but ..no collar on his shirt!!!!!

They are 14 year old. well behaved pleasant boys who love golf. My son has the problem he hasn't got a partner to play with so he's inviting interested friends to come have a go at his lovely little club see if they want to join...of course they don't have all the gear!!!!

Now I know one could argue that we don't have to join if were not prepared to follow the rules but my point (which I made in a polite but "angered mother" way to the golf professional )was they are new to it and my son- the member hasn't himself broken any rules but he's desperate to play with friends surely they could exercise discretion by letting them play once they are there but pointing out the rule for next time so he'll know. No not possible! just sent away each time with tail between his legs feeling "great" about playing golf!!!!

Sorry for the long windedness but i needed to rant.thanks if you've got this far!

that is utterly ridiculous, don't let it get them down, there must be somewhere else that isn't so strict. have you got a top golf near you?

I would definately try somewhere else.

Seems they will try anything to turn youngsters away - so the old duffers can have the course all to themselves!

Thanks- that's just what I thought- trouble is we've paid the new membership for a year recently can't afford another.
Unfortunatley no top golf near us!
Feel aletter to the committe coming on- not that it will change the rules but I want to be heard!
oh and to infuriate me more my son told me last time he did play an adult following them told them to "Fu**G hurry up"- he let them pass and din't say anything to the professional as he wasn't around- so I enlightened the pro about this but pointed out to him that that adult member had the correct shoes, a collar on his shirt and his own golf bag!- he got the point.

You can tell I'm angry- men!!!!!!!

Hmmmm,your post sums up all the reasons that I have decided I would rather slit my own throat than let anyone in my family take up g--f.
(Can't even type it.)

Looks like golf will be dying out if they are not allowing newer members then! twats!

We are so lucky to have a Top Golf near us . I seriously live in the bloomin place . But we tried another one near by (Surrey is full of golf courses ) and the one we tried they let me borrow one of their golf bags (because I dont play ) to take round the course . I thought that was really nice of them . But still prefer Top Golf its such a nice family place .