3/20/2021 8:03 AM
in reply to
Paul Double
We had everything back out by mid summer last season. I wish we could do without bunker rakes. So nice not having to mess with them. I would bet at least half and maybe 75% of bunker shots are not raked anyway. I have pictures on our facebook page from last summer showing just that. The person walked within a foot or two of the rake, within a couple hours of the machine rake job, left footprints and the spot from where the shot was played untouched. Discussed this very topic with Pat Jones last summer. Bunkers are supposed to be hazards anyway, not perfectly groomed like the beaches of the Riviera.
I would say as much as Top Golf has helped increase interest in playing, there is a boom of golfers who have no concept of on course etiquette. It hasn't been good for a while but there is definitely a noticed decline recently. At Top Golf they are catered to, waited on, and have their messes cleaned up for them. We are seeing that on the course. When we see them we call them "Top Golfers" Bad swings, carts beyond restricted areas, not repairing divots, more trash laying on the ground, beer cans laying on the ground next to trash cans like they expect the Staff to pick it up for them. When I was learning the game it was drilled into us that on the course it was the golfer's duty to leave the course better than it was found.
Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN
Last modified on 21 Mar 2021 21:03 by Christopher Thuer