Forum > Courses

Martin Goodman

I am considering joining a golf club where the fairways are a little stony.  Although you get a free drop away from stony areas, many lurk below the surface and so I've noticed my clubs getting scratched and nicked every time I play there.

The question is this:  Is it normal, and acceptable, for your clubs to wear a few 'battle scars' after each round?  Or should I be looking to play somewhere else?  What do you think?

(nb I am not going to name and shame the course).

Dave Patrick

I personally would not play there as I really smash the ball then turf. Not too good during really hot weather or really wet weather or really cold weather for that matter.

Looked at your stats, 2 eagles in your last 2 rounds is that some sort of record?

Dave CAC handed Geordie.

Martin Mallett

I too would probably avoid playing there. A couple of weeks ago I hit a shot from some rough with a huge 'CRACK!' noise, club stopped dead, nearly sprained my wrist and the ball moved about 5 yards as there must have been a stone lurking under there.

Looked at the club, big stone chip on the toe end of my 6 iron. Gutted.

Loud Mouth b.a.

Martin,

No.

Yes.

Please name. No-one should ever object to fair and honest comments - good or bad. And, your exposure could potentially assist other innocent golfers  avoid similar damage.

I have not experienced that particular problem with a golf course, but I have had chunks taken out of new £150. custom tenpin tournament balls due to poor centre maintenance. It really stings, and why should you pay say £30. for a round of golf only to incur £60. worth of damage? It makes no sense to pay in order to suffer loss. None whatsoever. 

After several rounds your irons will have lost most of their value. I recommend that you make a formal complaint and financial claim to the Club Secretary and publicize it. (A claim embodying 1. Club damage 2. Re-imbursement of all green fees paid 3. Distress).

Once claimants are aware of each other the club cannot claim casual irregular damage and may well have to face up the fact that all of its topsoil needs fine raking over a several year course improvement programme.

It's a legal principle that whoever causes negligent damage should re-imburse those who have suffered losses directly flowing from such negligence. Rest assured that the club will already be aware of the surface soil problem!   

Martin Goodman

Thanks for the comments chaps.

Re the two eagles, they were in rounds of 100 and 99 so I'm not too excited!  It hadn't occurred to me to mention it, but now that you do, I'd like to point out that the first eagle was a hole in one. 

The second eagle was a drive-the-green-and-one-putt job, but it beggars belief that someone who can do that can on the subsequent hole take six shots from 140 yards out.  And on the 17th I four putted.

Martin Kaymer I aint.  The Golfshake handicap is somewhat...flattering...and to be flattered by double digits probably tells you how soon my next eagle will be.

Alan Gunnigle