Getting treated unfairly at my club.

[brraaadddd]

Just want some opinions on if this is normal to deal with at a private club. I am a 21 year old member at this club and I am consistently the low score at mens night and so on I am a +3. We had our club championship this weekend and a couple of times it felt like the older members were trying to find something to bring to the staffs attention that would allow me not to play. The member who is head the of the handicap committee said I did not enter in enough scores to have a official handicap and told me that I would not be able to play in the event. I then called the director of the course and he said that it wouldn't be a problem they will just enter in my highest score they have on file. It turned out there was nothing wrong with my handicap in the first place. Then on the day of the club champ after the first round I was in 2nd and i ended up getting disqualified for finishing out of turn and having my scorer not present when finishing even though the third member of the group was standing on the green while my scorer looked for his ball with people waiting on the tee. The third member of the group claims he never saw me putt... I was disqualified well after I signed my score card I didn't even get a call until later that night. I assume both of my other playing partners complained after I had left and since they are long term members convinced them that this wasn't right. A lot of the members give me attitude and now things like this are happening and making it impossible to compete in member events. Is this uncommon or is it just because I am a younger guy at what it seems to be a older mans club?

[Solutions Etcetera]

Hard to say without hearing from the other side. With that said, I have run into way too many stubborn, petty, cheating people in clubs. The "higher standards" of the game of golf that is often bandied about is laughable.

[esketores]

Simple answer... walk away. Pompous snobbery seems to be an issue at the joint. It will never change until there is a turnover of membership. But before you leave sit down with the membership committee and explain your reasoning.

[The General]

seems really petty. Some people are extremely jealous of low handicap players and will do anything and everything to make them miserable, especially in a tournament.

Maybe you should hit a few more balls OB

[rvgolfer]

I think there is more to this situation than presented.

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='rvgolfer' timestamp='1344255780' post='5414870']
I think there is more to this situation than presented.
[/quote]

There usually is.

[nuthin but a hacker]

They want you to stop playing but continue sending in your money. That way their costs don't go up. Sounds like the course I live on. What a bunch of jerks.

[brraaadddd]

[quote name='rvgolfer' timestamp='1344255780' post='5414870']
I think there is more to this situation than presented.
[/quote]
I can honestly say there is no more to the story I just wanted to compete in my club championship thats all..

[rvgolfer]

Trying to visualize the situation on the last green,,while your scorer was looking for his ball, ( I assume it was somewhere near the green), instead of assisting him in locating his ball, and since yours was on the green, you decided to putt out. And while he was looking for his ball, you expected him to also be watching your putt so he could score your hole correctly. Additionally, you also expected the third member to be watching your putt, instead of watching the player searching for his ball, whose turn it was to play.

I cant say that you should be DQ's or not, but it seems as if your etiquette is certainly in need of improvement. There was no hurry to finish, no reason to putt out of turn, and also to expect players to be watching you putt, when another player cant even find his ball and when all players in the group are not on the green. I assume you also removed the flag to putt out, which by itself is rather rude when another player who isnt on the green hasnt requested that you do so.

[brraaadddd]

[quote name='rvgolfer' timestamp='1344257794' post='5415044']
Trying to visualize the situation on the last green,,while your scorer was looking for his ball, ( I assume it was somewhere near the green), instead of assisting him in locating his ball, and since yours was on the green, you decided to putt out. And while he was looking for his ball, you expected him to also be watching your putt so he could score your hole correctly. Additionally, you also expected the third member to be watching your putt, instead of watching the player searching for his ball, whose turn it was to play.

I cant say that you should be DQ's or not, but it seems as if your etiquette is certainly in need of improvement. There was no hurry to finish, no reason to putt out of turn, and also to expect players to be watching you putt, when another player cant even find his ball and when all players in the group are not on the green. I assume you also removed the flag to putt out, which by itself is rather rude when another player who isnt on the green hasnt requested that you do so.
[/quote]
This was on the 3rd hole of the tournament where he was looking for his ball was in thick bush we already helped him look for his ball and if he found it there was no chance in him playing it. It was a hazard so he eventually dropped they told us on the first tee to play ready golf if we were falling behind and since there was people waiting on the tee already i thought I'd try to speed things up. It seems you would fit in at the club..:P

[fastes]

Ready golf is ready golf but it sounds like you should have gave a heads up that you were putting out. In which case somebody would have witnessed your putt.

[teejaywhy]

Something going on for sure.

Rvgolfer makes a good point about etiquette. Another thing, you seem to be unaware about your handicap. Is it possible that you are new enough that you don't have a score history that accurately reflects your skill level? Not that it should justify the other stuff going on but the new guy winning comps with a suspect handicap is going to raise attention.

As for the rules, I don't think there is any requirement that the marker must witness every stroke you make. Also, the marker is supposed to sign your card before you turn it in. Did he do so? Finally, there is no penalty for playing out of turn in a stroke play event. So I don't see a legitimate DQ violation and it would seem that you could dispute it.

Long term, if you want to remain a member at the club, you need to figure out the real reason you are being "treated unfairly."

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='brraaadddd' timestamp='1344258304' post='5415088'] It seems you would fit in at the club..:P[/quote]

This is why I would reserve judgement until hearing from the other side. It seems both sides resent each other… hard to know who picked up on it first.

[Dire Wolf]

Playing out of turn in stroke play is not even a penalty. You are only DQ'd if you did so to give another player who isn't your partner (competitor) an advantage.

In match play, there is also no penalty, but the competitor can cancel your stroke and require you to replay your shot.

I am not aware of any rule that requires someone in your group to actually see every shot you make. What of the guy in a cavernous bunker and you don't see the stroke, only the ball coming out? As far as I know, a marker only has to attest to your score. If they dispute your score, they can take it up with the committee and then they have to prove you returned an incorrect scorecard.

I think you were jobbed, and it sounds like you're not welcome at that club for some reason. I'd leave.

[PingDrv00]

We seems to forget in this day, and age many of the younger generation have been playing as long, and if not longer than many of us. I have to say that other than a few instances; I would say the younger generation tends to play with more etiquette than many of the old stodards at my club at least. If I was paying the monthly fee to be a member than I would take my point to the club board. It sounds like a bunch of bitterness on both sides regardless.

[Willie Malay]

I'd take it to the rules committee and the board. If they do not sympathize, quit. That is about your only option. Let them pay for the club. IF that is truly all that is going on. I wouldn't stay somewhere I wasn't welcome.
Or you could play t** for tat in the next club championship. Bring up so many infractions of rules it takes them a week to decide them. Then they'll get the idea not to screw with ya.
The club I was a part of, the locals liked to do all that kind of crap. I finally had enough and quit. So did a lot of people. Now the locals are wondering why they went from a 75-person waiting list to get in to running specials to get people back.

[TexasAg]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1344259087' post='5415158']
Something going on for sure.

Rvgolfer makes a good point about etiquette. Another thing, you seem to be unaware about your handicap. Is it possible that you are new enough that you don't have a score history that accurately reflects your skill level? Not that it should justify the other stuff going on but the new guy winning comps with a suspect handicap is going to raise attention.


[/quote]

You read the part where he said he's a +3 right?

[MtlJeff]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1344259663' post='5415210']
[quote name='brraaadddd' timestamp='1344258304' post='5415088'] It seems you would fit in at the club..:P[/quote]

This is why I would reserve judgement until hearing from the other side. It seems both sides resent each other… hard to know who picked up on it first.
[/quote]

bingo....OP, i mean he made a couple of valid points and you shot back at him like that. Makes me wonder if you do anything to bring it on.

Anyway. I've been at clubs where i've seen people treated poorly and unfairly in the competitions. I've seen older members get very jealous of new players stealing their thunder and take some petty actions against it. I could tell a story involving me but its pretty specific and i'm not sure if members of my old club are on this site LOL. If you are truly being singled out and are a decent guy just trying to compete, honestly the best thing to do is just keep your head down, post EVERY SINGLE SCORE good or bad, and play 100% by the rules and with good etiquette. Eventually other members will come to your defense. Not everyone is a jerk

[scooterush]

you need to be honest with yourself and think back to any possible incedent that might have rubbed one of the older members the wrong way. after you gather youself you need to chose a member from the club that seems to be more neutral and talk to them. talk to one or two other members that might be on the younger side and see if you cant set up a small meeting with someone from the board and the members that seem to be giving you trouble. present your suspisions and make sure you can back up your claims such as the handicap incedent. i think this is all you can do. see how you feel after you let the other members know your feelings and make the decision weather or not you are still getting enjoyment for playing in this mens club or maybe its time to move on.
i dont want to sit here and try and dig up the other side of the story and i know that others are interested in the other side of the story but i dont see the need to do anything more than respond to your issue and tell you what i think you might be able to do going foward. i hope you get it worked out. good luck.

[Dire Wolf]

Regardless of anything personal between the OP and a member or members, the club did not follow the rules and DQ'd him incorrectly (if we have the whole story).

[mshills]

[quote name='Dire Wolf' timestamp='1344261827' post='5415432']
Regardless of anything personal between the OP and a member or members, the club did not follow the rules and DQ'd him incorrectly (if we have the whole story).
[/quote]

Yep.

I hope we have the whole story here. Either way, if I were DQ'd for playing out of turn, I'd be pretty hot too.

IF we have the whole story and OP, you don't feel welcome at the club, I'd find another club. I wouldn't want to be part of any club where I didn't honestly want to be around my fellow members.

[Swisstrader98]

Do as Phelps does when he kept saying "i will let my swimming do the talking"! In this case, let your golf game do the talking. Sadly, many golf clubs have an unwritten and unspoken initiation period for new members and that happens with anyone from the starter to the members. And doubly so if they feel you're a threat with a +3.

You can decide to fight the DQ ruling or not. If it were me, I would DEFINITELY make the case and bring it up to the golf committee and the pro. They are obviously testing you and if you go down quietly, they will continue to walk all over you. If you send a shot across the bow, they will ultimately respect you and know you're not some one they can mess with.

If you get no satisfaction that way, I would send a note to the USGA rules committee who are very good about responding and let them know of the situation and what the ruling would be. Then, present the facts to the club golf committee.

[amaeyzing]

Easy for me to say but move on if you can, you don't want to be around a situation like that...

[ruascott]

I'd be having a discussion with the head pro.....hopefully he is a decent neutral observer and can shed some light on what is going on. If not, you might just need to leave. Why did you join a club filed with old codgers anyway....are there options at clubs with a more active young membership?

[brraaadddd]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1344259087' post='5415158']
Something going on for sure.

Rvgolfer makes a good point about etiquette. Another thing, you seem to be unaware about your handicap. Is it possible that you are new enough that you don't have a score history that accurately reflects your skill level? Not that it should justify the other stuff going on but the new guy winning comps with a suspect handicap is going to raise attention.

As for the rules, I don't think there is any requirement that the marker must witness every stroke you make. Also, the marker is supposed to sign your card before you turn it in. Did he do so? Finally, there is no penalty for playing out of turn in a stroke play event. So I don't see a legitimate DQ violation and it would seem that you could dispute it.

Long term, if you want to remain a member at the club, you need to figure out the real reason you are being "treated unfairly."
[/quote]
yes he did sign my card like I said this was long after the round was over i got disqualified

[brraaadddd]

and honestly guys that is the whole story I would not be upset over getting disqualified for something I did wrong I have played in a ton of competitive events and know the rules well and have always been honest.

[scooterush]

the note from the usga would be a nice thing to present in favor of your argument

[esketores]

"The Committee" needs to be sanctioned.
Do write the USGA. As previously noted they do respond and resond in a timely manner.

[MtlJeff]

OP, do you want to stay at the club? Is it convenient for you, are the rates good? I mean a lot of people are telling you to take action, which could potentially only make this worse. Maybe they screwed you, you don't need to be a martyr if this club really is a good fit for you in other ways. Talking to the pro is a good idea, but if you want to stay, i'd tread carefully, be respectful and just ask questions. Not go in there making threads and waving your arms. I know a guy who burned his bridges at like 3 clubs because he was a bit of a hothead. We don't know the whole story but is everyone this bad? I have to think eventually this will sort itself out. At my current club a guy was telling me a story of how he was DQ'd in an event a couple of years ago because someone complained about something really inconsequential. It happens because some members like to complain about things. It doesn't mean we're a bad club.

[Beatupfender]

I'd just walk. Life's too short and filled with enough ****** bags that you need to belong to a club filled with them. Go elsewhere, and play golf.
If you piss in the pot, regardless of whether you're right or wrong, you'll STILL have to leave, and your reputation as a problem child will precede you everywhere you go.

Golf is about having fun, remember?