Dress Codes, Tattoos, Golf Clubs in the dark ages

First topic message reminder :

Just on the back of the Queenwood thread and how its developed thought I'd raise this to all.

As times change and the world moves forward I'm wondering are golf clubs standing still or even going backwards.

We now have a rebirth of spikeless golf shoes that can be worn off the course, yet many clubs won't allow you into the clubhouse wearing them!

I've played clubs where its acceptable to wear shorts on the course but is forbidden in the clubhouse! How can golfing attire that is suitable for play not be suitable for the clubhouse.

Many clubs still run by blazer brigades make you wear formal clothing just to set foot in their clubhouse that still has the decor done by old tom Morris dad!

Clubs that say you have to cover up your body art, yet are run by old naval men that probably have some of the crappest tats you'll ever see, as long as tattoos are not offensive they should be allowed to be on display, they cost enough but then they are personal so should be done for that reason not to show off.

On course we still wear trousers, polos and golfing shoes now this is something I do agree with as I cannot stand seeing denim, chavvy footy shirts and a pair of new balance trainers winging their way round the links, usually worn by some cider swilling ned called troy!

We often see some pro's trying to push the fashion boundaries I'm not talking of Poulters crap tartans or fowlers colour blindness, but of Ryan Moore who I remember seeing play riviera last year in a hoody! Not the normal chav type but a proper cardigan type with shirt and tie underneath.

I just wonder is it time golf takes a step out of the 19th century and at least into the latter part of the 20th if not the 21st century. Is it not time clubs scrapped dress codes in the bar area or at least stipulated what is acceptable on the course is therefore acceptable in the clubhouse?

Are the any other things golf needs to do to catch up with the world in your opinion or am I just chatting garbage, which is highly likely at this time of night and having sat in a beer garden most of the day supping Crabbies over ice, so refreshing on a day like today.

Super - Gael and I never really got along, right back to the old BBC days, but we seemed to come to an uneasy truce for a while. Sadly she couldn't deal with the fact that I disagreed with her more often than not, eventually refering to me as her "stalker" because she felt I followed her around just to disagree with her (not the case at all). I don't think I ever resorted to personal insults and the "grotbags" bomb was someone else I think (can't remember who).

The final straw as far as I was concerned was the incident that MPB alludes to where my opinion wasn't worthy on anything as I was a mere 22 handicapper.

Doon seemed to feel that in my position of admin I ought to offer her more "protection" from others who disagreed with her but I didn't want to act like a V2 admin and wasn't going to start getting heavy handed with anyone just to protect the feelings of someone who generally got what she deserved.

I do fnd it quite humerous that Gael, who only ever came on here to be disagreeable with less flexibility in her viewpoint than anyone i've ever come across, should herself need 'protection' from those who disagreed with her

Would I be afforded the same when she, in her ever so polite and friendly manner, disagreed with me?

No, didn't think so

Sadly I don't think Gael did women golfers (or women in general for that matter) any favours with her inflexible attitude. I don't think someone's handicap is a handicap (if you pardon the pun) to making informed comments. I'm not sure she ever actually declared what her handicap was anyway!

Anyway, you have me and Mary to keep the flag flying for the ladies, so what else do you want? Oh yes, one of those as well!

For one thing, LP and Mary can take a joke and some good natured ribbing. I think we are all glad that they are regular visitors here

Davie wrote:For one thing, LP and Mary can take a joke and some good natured ribbing. I think we are all glad that they are regular visitors here

Well I'm not because LP is a slow player and can't hit the ball as far as me. She won't wear a short skirt out on course either

I'm not sure I can recall an incident involving Gael that really sticks out.

Was she the one who posted about Paul McGinley's Spanish club hire service on v2?

Despite my regular falling outs with her I had a bit of a soft spot for Gael, I think the handicap thing was unlike her to be honest, disapointing really.
I can see why she occasionally felt a bit ganged up on, Im not saying she didnt deserve a bit of stick as she certainly gave it out, but sometimes it got a bit mob handed which isnt nice.
Id be happy to see her back on one or other of the boards.

Doc...I had to ban my Mrs from wearing a short skirt when she used to caddie for me...It was a helluva job to concentrate when she used to crouch down to help me line up a putt!

LP and Mary will love this: I was having a chat with a mate from down sarf earlier today. he mentioned that there was nearly a brawl at a committee meeting. A member had written in and had a load of names to back up his request, which was ........ wait for it.

As most lady members only pay for 5-day membership (Which LP will relate to) A straw poll of the membership felt it was only right that ladies paid full membership prices for 5-day membership. This was because it was felt that the club lost money because ladies were slow and nobody wanted to follow them, so tee slots were being lost

LP and Mary are both polite and good fun so absolutely consider them to be important members of this place.
Used to prefer LP old avatar though!

If you want to see Mary not being quite so polite, just mention Bristol City FC!

Never heard of them

Doc wrote:

Davie wrote:For one thing, LP and Mary can take a joke and some good natured ribbing. I think we are all glad that they are regular visitors here

Well I'm not because LP is a slow player and can't hit the ball as far as me. She won't wear a short skirt out on course either

MustPuttBetter wrote:
Used to prefer LP old avatar though!

Maybe we can start a campaign.

I would think that someone who has played through the heat of international matches and played golf at a high level for many years would have a better view of playing golf than 16 to 20 handicapers.
I think that if Gael had been a male then the responses from the last three posters [other than myself] would have been completely different.

Sorry folks yet another senior moment, they are starting to get serious!
I did not turn to page 2 [It is unusual lately for threads on this site to streatch to two pages]
Turn back to page one and work it out for yourselves.
Anyways I'm out of here.........Bye all

Doon the Water wrote:Anyways I'm out of here.........Bye all

More farewells than Frank Sinatra

Doon, on the off chance you are reading this. There was no need to bring handicap into that particular discussion. It wasn't a thread about skills, equipment or any other specialist facet. High handicappers were ridiculed at that time and that was unnecessary. Yes, some of the responses could be seen as ganging up but if you say something that is a little bit out there you should expect it to be called out.

Shame as I liked hearing from the real experts like you and Mav

Can't quite work out if that's a compliment or insult, but based on OS being referenced and my advocacy of ladies golf I'm going for compliment, if its not I'm still taking it as one

As for Gael, often she and I would clash actually rarely did we agree. She did used to have some valid points but have to say the way everytime she disagreed she felt the need to insult or ridicule imo was downright rude. Also have to say the comment about Davies handicap and mpb's was awful and downright arrogant I belive I was one of the original people that called her out on it! So from that point Doon if your reading I have to say she was bang out of order and this is an open forum and though it may seem she was ganged up upon by saying what she did all that happened was each person that was offended merely respomded to her to show their displeasure as she always did to others, can't have it both ways!

Would like to see her back though had some interesting debates on the ladies game and at a time like now with the Kraft in full flow would have made some good points

Doon the Water wrote:I think that if Gael had been a male then the responses from the last three posters [other than myself] would have been completely different.

Completely and utterly incorrect Doon but hey each to there own. At the end of the day you're only a 14 handicapper so it's kind of irrelevant what you think. That's okay for me to say right??

Despite all of her faults I would welcome Gael back completely as everyone is welcome here. That doesn't mean if she's rude it will just be ignored though

If this means the absence of Doon, I for one will miss his knowledge and wit and this board will be the poorer for his loss!

BlueCoverman wrote:If you want to see Mary not being quite so polite, just mention Bristol City FC!

Pah - bad results against Forest and Cov over Easter, and they're down!

Back on topic, our place does allow jeans in the clubhouse, as I think they want people who are using the driving range to feel at ease in popping in for a drink or bite to eat. On the course, I believe that we don't have a specific dress code, but smart attire and golf shoes are required - this seems to work well as, on the whole, people are sensible as to what constitutes "smart". I've seen people playing in tailored cargo shorts, and to be honest they look much better than some of the baggy cord trousers I've seen the older generation wearing!

Hopefully Doon is just taking a bit of "time out".