Gun Crime and Hackers

Today was a nightmare day at the golf track. First off the manager was robbed at gun point of his push bike and phone. Then worse of all we got stuck behind a bunch of newbies. 

Now I have no problem with beginners playing in front of me. We have all been there and they have to start somewhere. But what I detest is that these fresh-faced wannabe McIlorys show a blatant disrespect for the course and golfers. 

First of all they had a kid, say about twelve years old playing off the yellows; we pointed out that shorty should tee off from the reds just give him a chance of getting out of the tee box with his drive. Then they were dragged their feet on the green, this was after they each took fifteen shots to get there. They were literally dragged their feet, churning up the green. There was no point phoning the clubhouse to get someone out to have a word because the only bloke who would was in hospital dribbling and changing his underwear (and no one would blame him).

Due to the robbery, the first lot of golfers were late to tee off as the police were investigating the crime scene. So there was already a delay when the hackers turned up.  Daddy hacker would take three practice swings and then strike the ball ten feet. We were only playing nine holes and that took us three hours. I couldn't believe it. There was already a hold-up at the gate this morning and now we were being held-up on every hole. 

What I found absolutely remarkable was the hackers taking their tee shots on a 196 yard par-3 while the group in front were still on the green. They were safe though, they were on the green. 

The frustration of waiting got the better of me on the 9th. I had hit a tremendous drive to set me up for a barnstorming conclusion. A firm 3 iron onto the green and a birdie putt would have given me the win. Instead I hooked the iron out of bounds losing the ball and victory. 

What these selfish pricks don't realise is while they think it is fun for them taking seventeen shots to reach the green, everyone behind them are like a coiled spring, then having to wait. While they wait they cool, and lose that momentum. Then angst, frustration and anger creeps in. You try and remain calm. But after seven holes of this the blood starts to boil and when the time comes to hit, rhythm and timing are lost and the ball is shanked, topped, sliced or hooked. 

Now I don't blame the starter for letting out the beginners. It is a pay-&-play course and they have every right to play when they want. But they must have an iota of responsible to golfers behind them, a smidgen of respect, shred of duty, a piece of fucking consideration.  Step aside if your taking twenty minutes to complete a hole. Let the groups behind play through. No way should it take three hours to play nine holes!