Should golfers be punished for not cancelling tee times?

Not being able to secure desired tee times is one of the biggest issues that concern golfers today. We know that many of you are frustrated by online booking systems that have been introduced by clubs, with it often becoming a lottery as to whether you can successfully book a round.

If you're someone who can only play at peak times, especially during weekends, making it even harder to consistently get on to the course, then it's no surprise that a significant number of members are considering whether there is even any point to paying a full annual fee at a club when they struggle to justify the cost.

Golfers Are Finding it Harder to Book Tee Times

Participation levels have undeniably increased in recent years - which is clearly a positive - but it's placed greater demand on limited tee times at busier venues.

It's why Golfshake's Derek Clements recently posed the question of whether a golf club can have too many members? Within that piece, the chief complaint related to booking tee times, placing a spotlight on those golfers who book in blocks, and especially the players who don't turn up for rounds that they had booked, leaving the tee empty and other members annoyed at the missed opportunity. 

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Within his piece, Derek asked whether golfers should be penalised if they don't turn up for tee times? He wrote: "Perhaps the time has come for golf clubs to impose penalties upon such people. I would insist upon all golfers reporting to the pro shop before playing. The pro would then check them in against their tee time. Those who fail to turn up without informing the pro would be told they could not use the booking system for a set period of time."

There are many understandable reasons why golfers aren't able to make their booked tee time, but there isn't an excuse not to cancel the booking or inform the venue that you can't make it, meaning that slot can be reopened for someone else to take.

Living in St Andrews and having a Links Ticket means that I have access to the wonderful layouts at the spiritual Home of Golf, but it can be a challenge to book rounds as you are ultimately competing with thousands of other ticketholders, guests and visitors. 

That is only made harder when some golfers book well in advance but then don't turn up on the day, especially when they haven't cancelled. 

It's perhaps why the Links Trust recently sent out this message: "Ticketholders are reminded that should they have a tee time booked and are unable to play, the tee time should be cancelled and released to allow the opportunity for other golfers to play. This is particularly relevant at this time of year when daylight restricts the number of times available."

While it's true that times are more restricted during winter, it can be a problem even at the height of summer. Combating that is a difficult proposition, as aside from appealing to the good consciousness of golfers, what can be done to deter players from not cancelling booked rounds that they aren't able to make?

Should Golfers be Punished For Not Cancelling Tee Times?

Derek has suggested punishment, but that's a delicate prospect when you're talking about golfers who pay their fees like anyone else. However, it would seem remiss not to address repeat offenders.

Potential penalties could include written warnings, a temporary restriction on booking tee times, or maybe even a financial penalty on future membership fees should these rules continue to not be adhered to.

Everyone wants to get the most suitable times, and it will always be a competitive battle to claim them, but not cancelling rounds you aren't able to make just muddies the waters further and creates unnecessary animosity that will often be directed at innocent club staff and not those who didn't show ample consideration towards their fellow golfer.