Golfers ‘should pass etiquette test’

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir February 19, 2013 11:05

More than nine in ten greenkeepers believe that golfers should pass a test on course care before they are allowed to play the game.

That is the result of a survey of hundreds of members of the British and International Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), carried out by Today’s Golfer.

Nintey-one per cent anonymously said they would like golfers to pass a test on etiquette and course care before they play, as is the case in some European countries, because some golfers leave the course in an inappropriate state.

More than half of greenkeepers, 57 per cent, said golfers are bad or very bad at repairing pitch marks, although the majority of golfers, 71 per cent, are not bad or very bad at putting divots back. Seventy four per cent of the respondents said that despite the bad course management practice of some golfers, a lack of investment in course management by the club and issues out of their control such as heavy rain or course geology, golfers blame them if the course does not meet their expectations

The poll also found that 94 per cent of greenkeepers work at least 40 hours a week during summer – more than the UK full time average of 37 hours. More than one in three greenkeepers (36 per cent) work at least 50 hours a week, which is more than the European Union’s Working Time Directive of 48 hours, and 11 per cent work at least 55 hours per week.

On a summer’s day more than two-thirds of greenkeepers are at their club by 6am at the latest.

A spokesman for Greenkeeping magazine, which is read by 9,000 greenkeepers, said: “As well as showing how many hours greenkeepers work, which is more than most professions, this survey provides an interesting insight into what greenkeepers really think about golfers. On the whole, it’s a positive impression, but they would prefer golfers to be more educated about the golf course they are playing on.”

 

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir February 19, 2013 11:05
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11 Comments

  1. Darren - Clear Swing (@ClearSwing) February 27, 10:44

    @AlDunsmuir – thanks for this Alistair couldn’t recall this one http://t.co/KaRyWXe0ee – just need a way of implementing at all clubs.

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  2. @SuttonGreen2 September 25, 21:56

    Golfers 'should pass etiquette test' » Golf Club Management: http://t.co/fTeU2ZHDt8 #aldunsmuir

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  3. @agsgolf February 26, 11:35

    » Golfers ‘should pass etiquette test’ http://t.co/1GmLLtQwSf

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  4. @BowoodParkGolf February 25, 14:10

    Food for thought anyone? http://t.co/a77GSx43Fa

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  5. @Etiquette411 February 21, 17:31

    #Golfers ‘should pass #etiquette test’ http://t.co/WjpEcGqG1Q

    Reply to this comment
  6. @MGSGolf February 21, 15:35

    » Golfers ‘should pass etiquette test’ http://t.co/mNBI9wJWg9

    Reply to this comment
  7. @Etiquette411 February 21, 14:35

    #Golfers ‘should pass #etiquette test’ http://t.co/WjpEcGqG1Q http://t.co/zw9VcW95Tc

    Reply to this comment
  8. @CIMSPA_YH February 20, 21:05

    Golfers ‘should pass etiquette test’ http://t.co/LEsZvmK3

    Reply to this comment
  9. Anthony Haste (@AnthonyHastePGA) February 19, 14:59

    Golfers ‘should pass etiquette test http://t.co/2HEYZTCy

    Reply to this comment
  10. 19th Hole Social (@19th_holesocial) February 19, 12:37

    #Golf #Panthersocial Golfers ‘should pass etiquette test’ – More than nine in ten greenkeepers believe that golfers … http://t.co/cRAl8vC4

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  11. Golfing Journalist (@AlDunsmuir) February 19, 11:07

    91% of greenkeepers think golfers should pass an etiquette / course care test before they’re allowed to play the game http://t.co/PBefUZ1k

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