I have been around golf clubs for quite some time now, and every club seems to have their own little “thing” that they have that separates them from the rest.  They may have a beautiful lake or running streams.  Some may have a specific tree like Penn Oaks Golf Club (our Cherry Blossom Tree is the center of attention with weddings!)  Others can have the best food this side of the Mason-Dixon line. The main attraction is obviously golf, and everyone is different and unique in its own right…which got me thinking. Since everyone is trying to out-do everyone else, could it be that they are doing too much? I have done a little research, and I have compiled 5  rules, regulations, or situations that people say “golf would be better without!”

• Mandatory Carts
  • A lot of golf clubs require their players to utilize a cart while they play. To me, every sport should have some sort of cardiovascular activity involved with it.  Walking the course would be that one thing.  There should be an option to walk or ride while you golf in my opinion!
• Golf tee time intervals less than ten minutes
  • It’s common sense, the more players you get out on the golf course, the more revenue you receive in return. The problem with having tee times less than 10 minutes is that it really backs the course up if some groups are playing at a slower rate.  This could mean a trickledown effect, making the game of golf less enjoyable.
• Players who do not fix divots after a shot.
  • This is a big one amongst all advocates to the game. If you do not fix your divot, it is debilitating not only for the aesthetics of the course, but for the overall health of the fairways.  If you want your golf club to be looking pristine all the time, players need to do their part too!
• Dishonest players.
  • This one is pretty self-explanatory. I am a very honest player, and if I see players shaving off strokes just to impress others, it just grinds my gears a bit. I know I’m not alone!
• Slow playing
  • Most of us are pretty decent players, but keep in mind that when we go out to play with our buddies, it shouldn’t be like we are playing at the Masters. The maximum time for a round of golf should not exceed 4 hours and 30 minutes….and that is still pushing the envelope.

There you have it, a short list of things that myself and many others believe would help the game of golf if some of these minor problems were taken into account.  The season is starting up, so it’s up to us, the players, to make most of these things a reality!

Author: Penn Oaks Golf Club

Penn Oaks Golf Club is a private, non-equity golf club owned by several local area business partners who have combined their passion for golf with the course’s exceptional reputation.