Things That Shouldn't Matter on the Golf Course

“Golf is a game for gentlemen and played by gentlemen.”

Those of us in the hoi polloi or of the fairer sex need not apply?

I get your point, golf has its social graces, and slobbering all over the grass is not one of them. In fact, I can hear my mother now: “Stop spitting! That’s rude!” Oddly, Dad never weighed in on that, I suppose it didn’t bother him.

Is it really so difficult to just be aware of your surroundings ? Four guys or women out playing together have different standards than the leaders of a PGA Tour event on TV worldwide. Four guys might smoke, chew, spit, duck into the trees to make room for the next beer, throw clubs, or scream obscenities. Same goes for the women, though they might be less likely to throw clubs or chew tobacco. (yes, I have played with women who ducked behind a tree) No telling what those shepherds who came up with the game did while knocking rocks into rabbit holes and downing a bottle of Scotch.

The final groups of a PGA Tour event are going to be on TV – but what about the groups off earlier than the leaders ? They are rarely on camera and play in front of very few people. This whole “controversy” revolves around a few busy-bodies who may be well meaning, or they might just be too snooty for their own good, combined with guys playing a game that really does have higher stanadards of behavior than just about any other game on the planet.

Personally, I don’t care if a golfer spits or smokes or chews on the golf course…though chewing and spitting on the greens can be annoying. I have a bigger problem with smokers who leave butts or cigars around the greens, or seed chewers who spit seed shells on the greens, but that’s just a flip of a club to clear them away. – but people have different standards of behavior…and they sometimes need to keep their opinions to themselves.
Other sports don’t have a problem letting their players know what is and what is not acceptable during play – but golf isn’t run by a set of owners. The Tours are largely run by the players – so they pretty much have to agree that things like this are unacceptable and they need to be a little more careful. These might be good things to bring up at the next players meeting. (maybe solving one problem will encourage them to tackle other problems….like slow play… )I know – don’t hold your breath)

And then there is our wunnerful media, that pushes and digs for any possible sign of controversy to exploit.

& totally unnecessary. When did you ever see an LPGA member spit on the course?

Eh, Adam F….It’s a habit and a poor one at that. Some place along the way good manners went out the door as spitting for the sake of spitting is flaw in ones personality. All of us have at one time or another for whatever reason had to spit. The difference is there was a reason. Let’s face it when you walk up on the putting green and you pick up your ball and find a glob of gooey greasy snot attached or in your putting line, because some yokel could not walk to the side of the green if needing to spit, it’s gross. It was almost comical watching the cameramen trying to catch KB’s oral expectoration. Both spitters of note on the tour to date have apologized.