Conference 7.286::golf

    
    Well I think it's a very small portion of the gallery that are involved
    with the You da man stuff and also cheering Woosman's bad shots. I
    believe the vast majority of the people involved with golf are
    gentlemen and woman. This after all is America and freedom of speech is
    a right this the greatest of country's was founded on. Be patient and it
    will pass as Beatle Boots did. I did notice the same kind of thing this
    year in the U. S. Open in tennis with Connors. People in the crowd
    would cheer at errors made of whoever was playing against Jimbo. I
    personnally believe in cheering for your players good play but not
    anothers players poor play. But hey it's not a perfect world.
    
    Pete            

    Well I've been playing golf for 20 years and I don't like this trend.
    Sure, it's nice that golf is becoming popular but at the same time it's
    attracting unwanted guests. As I said in the other notes, this
    gentleman's game is sadly turning into 'Outdoor Bowling'. I see people
    out on the course with no idea on how to swing the club, no knowledge
    of etiquette or rules. These people also contributes to SLOW play.
    
    my 2-cents worth

    
    Well now you have expanded the conversation from the spectators, to
    which I donot have to deal with I mean nobody wants to watch me golf,
    ugly, to the "Lets golf because it's the thing to do crowd." This is a
    very sore spot with me and I will do my very best to control myself.
    I think they should be buried up to the necks is a bunker. I am so so
    so tired of watching slugoes hacking Beaver backs out of fairways and
    walking away without replacing them I could murder them. So if they
    don't replace divots what are the chances of them repairing a ball mark
    on a green providing they get LUCKY enough to hit one. But take heart.
    I was at the Tennis court this weekend with my son, Tennis my second
    love, and the place was a ghost town. Seven or Eight years ago I would
    have to drive all over town trying to get a court but there they were.
    The sneakers, 90 dollar racket, head band, wrist band, ass band,
    sailing balls over the fence everyother shot and looking at the racket
    like there was something wrong with it. Sound familiar? We need to be
    like the great Oak and stand and this too will pass. I'm a great Oak
    with a big mouth. When I cross paths with these Wannabies on the course
    they know I'm there I can tell you that.
    
    Be aware of the Novice golfer though. The player who is in the learning
    stages of the game. We donnot want to discourge the seedling Oaks. We
    will need them to keep an eye on the game for us in the furture.
    
    Pete
    
    
    need them to keep an eye on things for us   

    Re: .3
    
    I agree. Occasionally, I do see a novice golfer who truly wants to take
    up this game and we shouldn't discourage them.
    
    I just came back from Vegas (I grew up there) and played several new
    courses. Let me just say they were great! Fairways were lush and green,
    bunkers filled with white sands (not dirt) and perfectly manicured
    greens! The greens were sooo slick and true, but soft. I was constantly
    checking-up my 5-irons! and if you read it correct and hit it right you
    didn't even have to look...it went it.  But what really PO'd me was
    that we saw ball marks and spike marks on every green (and all of our
    tee times were around 6:30am and the pro said they just mowed that
    morning) and many traps weren't raked. And worst of all DIVOTS the size of
    grand canyon all over the course. What's so infuriating is that all
    three courses provide two canisters full of soil to each cart with sign
    pleading to fill the divot with them.
    
    Well, I bitched enough (for now). I hope that these wannabes find other
    things to trash.
    
    Regards

    
    Sounds like we have a few snobs here in the notes file. Unfortunatly, I
    agree with them. And also unfortunatly, there isn't much we can do
    about it. I suppose we can go complain to the starter, but that usually
    dosn't do any good. What will probably start happening, is that more
    and more golfers will start to join private clubs to get away from
    these people.
    
    As for tennis, what the hell does it matter that someone is out there
    playing, and dosn't know what they're doing. With golf, your game could
    affect other players on the course. But with tennis, so what. If
    someone ever came up to me to complain about my tennis game (which I
    never play), that would be the last thing that person said for quite a
    while. At least until his broken jaw healed.
    
    Mike

    Any golfer that can honestly say they never walked away from a duffed
    shot in disgust with them self and was so embarrassed that one tends to
    move on rather quickly and sort of"intentionally forget" to replace the
    divot....my hats off to you. But I don't believe you. (especially when
    your "not having a good day" and the foursome behind you has been on
    your tail all day). Come on guys your not perfect. I've been reading
    this notes file for almost 4 years now and this is the first time I've
    felt "snobbed out". Yes we need better primary instruction for the new
    hackers (rule 1. ALWAYS replace your), (rule 2. Yell fore),
    General rule: Respect the course like you would your own back
    yard...etc. Gee I'm even learning something here. 8*).
    
    
    ejm (6th year hacker). 
    
    
    

    Well, here we go again... I wrote a note about this same trend 5 years 
    ago, and was accused of being a "snob" by several members of this
    community. But here's my .02 again.
    
    My wife and I have, in fact joined a club (albeit a "public private" 
    course) to get away from the yahoos who go to K-Mart and buy a 3-5-7-9
    set, don their camo tank tops, cutoffs and enormous white sneakers, and
    toddle off to massacre the course as an excuse to down a few cool ones
    and get away from the "old lady" for an afternoon. 
    
    I have always advocted that, in order to set foot on the course you had
    to have a certificate that you had taken "training" in ettiquette (sp?)
    and knew at least SOMETHING of the basic rules. I seen people playing 
    from OB, not fixing divots, scuffing their spikes along the green, NOT
    RPLACING THE FLAG WHEN THRU THE GREEN (honest!), and other various and
    sundry horrors. If you had aforementioned "training" (sort of like a
    drivers license), IMHO, the game would be much more pleasant for
    everyone. ( Maybe even  "YOUDAMAN" would go away.....)
    
    <set flame off>
    
    Stan Z.

    
    	hey.. what this file needs is another 'YOU THE MAN' note...
    
    	see note 1022
    

    If you're not willing to replace divots, fix ball marks and spike marks
    and rake traps you don't belong on a golf course. Period ! A greens fee
    or a club membership isn't "Rent." It doesn't allow you to do the same
    crap you do at home. One more thing, if you see some trash - pick it
    up. It isn't hard to see. As a matter of fact, if you have trash, put
    it in your bag or cart until you find a barrel.
    
     This last paragraph is directed ONLY at those "Me generation"
    libertarians who seem to think that the world revolves around them, and
    whatever they want to do is o.k. Well, it isn't o.k. with me. Everyone
    has the opportunity to be considerate, no matter how you play. I don't
    care how many other people screw up, I take responsibility for myself.
    
     Most of the folks in this file seem to appreciate the game. I hope
    this increases with time. From a practical sense, I might point out
    that the pattern of response to someone offering criticism expressed in 
    .5 has a downside. How do you feel when you take physical issue with
    someone as a first recourse and he/she kicks your butt ? There's always
    a badder cat around - even if "It could NEVER happen to me..." Just a
    thought.
    
    --Jack

    
    Mike,
    
     I think you missed my point. I have no issue with poor play. If I did
    I probably would not play myself. My issue is with the fad players. I
    carry a five handicap (no brag just fact) and I will play with anyone I
    don't care how well they play but I do care if they understand whats
    going on out there and that they respect the game,rules and the course. I
    play every Sunday with a group that thier goal in life is to break 100
    and it's alot of fun, great guys and very seriuos about the game. So
    do yourself a favor and take a pill will ya. Your last name isn't Tuson
    is it?         

    re: .7
    >Well, here we go again... I wrote a note about this same trend 5 years 
    >ago, and was accused of being a "snob" by several members of this
    >community. But here's my .02 again.
    
    Stan, if trying to make playing golf enjoyable to you and others, and
    preserving the courses is being a "snob" then I'm a "BIG snob". You're
    not alone. I also agree about the certificate idea (sort of like diving
    certificates to rent scuba gear)
    
    Re: .9
    
    Jack, I totally agree with your comment. Guess you're another "snob",
    welcome to the club.
    
    Regards,
    Hideshi
    
    BTW looks like this topic is going to be HUGE!

        While reading some early notes in this file I came across some
    replies by Swedish golfers about how in their country there is an
    actual certification process for golfers before they are allowed on
    most courses. Maybe we should go with something like this also.
    Of course, my pet peeve is unfixed ball marks and spike marks on
    the greens. Maybe for the people that leave a trail of these behind
    them as they go around the course its like a trophy. All of us get
    to see that they actually hit a green on the fly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Mad Hacker

    
    Snobbery has nothing to do with it. The games History demands respect
    and those who have none, ignorance is no excuse, should not be on the
    course. Why do you think Carlton Fisk almost ripped Deon ( I'm to good
    for the world) Sanders head off for not running out a pop-up? Respect
    for the game and for those who make it what it is. It seems to me the
    real snob is the one with the lack of respect. Every snob I have ever
    met all have one thing in common, no respect.  
                  

      I agree with those "snobs". I certainly qualify as a hacker and am
    thrilled when I break 100. But, I try to always fix spike marks, ball
    marks, replace divots,etc.
     Respect for the game is part of it, however, since I am a public
    course player it is in my best interest to do my part to keep the
    course in good shape. I play on it ! If I am lucky enough to get on
    a private course, then I am a guest and I should treat the course as
    if it my own.
    
     I get upset when I see others tearing up the course and don't even try
    to repair the damage. If this is being a snob, it is a label that I
    will wear proudly.
    
    
    
                           Ken
    

    
    
    
    
    
       
    This reply is for anyone else in this file who felt just a little
    offended by those that think of themselves as the REAL GOLFERS of
    the world.
    
    Here are 5 easy steps to remember when ever you go out to play (oops 
    we're really not players) golf!  (Opps there are really 6 steps listed
    but because I'm a hacker I had to cheat!)
    
    Step 1) Pick a course that doesn't allow people in polyester to play.
    
    Step 2) Never ever play golf with someone who asks the starter if the
            150 yard markers are accurate.
    
    Step 3) Never ever play golf where the course rules require you to not
            enjoy yourself if your handicap is over 20.
    
    Step 4) Never ever let a player who claims he doesn't really mind
            playing with "Higher Handicap Players Like You" play with you.
    
    Step 5) Never ever play at a course where they give you a lecture about
            slow play before they know your name.
    
    Step 6) Never ever play golf with those that think of themselves as
            being part of some special group that allows them to look
            down on everyone else around them.
    
    Shane_one_hacker_who_replaces_his_divots!

    RE:15-
    
    Shane, I'm not quite sure how to take your first paragraph....REAL
    GOLFERS...that seemed sort of a cynical comment.
    
    Your handicap has NOTHING to do with whether you're a GOLFER or not. My
    wife carries a 33 and she's more of a GOLFER than 90% of these jerks
    who I see who don't rake traps, replace divots, fix ball marks, etc.
    She LOVES the game, respects the course and the people on it, and knows
    the rules and ettiquette (sp again...). 
    
    In reference to your 6 Rules- I agree with most of them. This game is
    supposed to be FUN, exercise, entertainment, and socialability. Idiots
    who think of themselves as above the mores and ettiquette (damn! I
    really have to look up how to spell that!) spoil it for everyone who
    loves the game, regardless of how high or low their handicap is and 
    regardless of whether they have ever broken 100. REAL GOLFERS don't 
    have to carry a single digit handicap, or play at only the best name
    courses.

    
       My two cents worth..
    
        "you the man" has to be from MTV ,or VH1 .
    
        I have an 18 year old son who I automatically assign secondary blame  
        for all of this as I grab the"MTV only" clicker from him!
    
       Respect for the course AND not overtalking for repect for
                 the guy TRYING to play for score  are my pet peeves.
       Especially some will actually try to talk or "distract" you
       from playing well INTENTIONALLY.
       
       I think it was Frank Lloyd Wright that said :
       " The most beautiful thing' man' has done to earth is to build
         bridges and golf courses".
    
         Hard to argue from my point of view. 
         Although I think Frank forgot about bikinis!
    
         DOM, Ang
    
    
    
              
         
    
       
        
       

    
       Up until about 5 years ago, there was very little discussion about
     etiquette, slow play, respect of the course and other players.  It 
     was a given that 99% of the people playing golf understood the game,
     etiquette, rules and respect.  Now with so many new players over-
     crowding the courses, the number one topic of conversation and source
     of ill-will are the above.  
     
       It seems that lately, the only time I can really enjoy the game 
     anymore, is when I'm out in my back yard practicing chipping or at the 
     driving range working on the swing.  Playing 18 holes has been a real
     chore the past few years.
    
       I really really really like the idea of some sort of certification
     before letting a player loose out on the courses.  The game of golf
     should be enjoyable for all who play.  Those that do not understand
     rules, etiquette and basic concepts of play, really do have an impact
     on others that play with them or behind them.
    
       Bowling and Tennis are starting to look appealing to me again.....
    
    -rick  

    Re:          <<< Note 1362.19 by NHASAD::BLAISDELL "Keep an even keel" >>>

    I agree. Think about letting someone play any sport in a professional
    setting,  be  it  a  court  a soccer or football field, etc,  without
    knowing  the  rules  of  the game.  There is always someone, call  it
    coach, referee, official, etc, that will take some action if a player
    shows no evidence of  knowing the rules.  Everyone has kids in school
    that play any sport know  that  they  spend  a good time learning the
    rules.
    
    I think is in the benefit to a the course to:
    
    - have  enough  people to supervise, not  only  slow  play  but  also
    behavior
    
    - Implement  a quick certification seminar.   These  doesn't  need to
    take more than one  hour  and one person could deliver it one/twice a
    day, even for a nominal  fee,  instead  of having a 2-3 marshalls all
    day long out in the course.
    
    - Both of the above
    

    
    I believe the certification policy would be great for the game also but
    would happen if a course adopted this idea? Let's take any public
    course say Stow. At some point in time a course is going to have to
    pave the way be the risk taker. Would novice players be putoff with
    such a policy and take thier business elsewhere? Or would the people
    really not interested in rules and etiquette take thier business
    elsewhere? I think the eventual winner would be the course for a couple
    of reasons. The players who understand and paractice the rules of golf 
    and golf etiquette would flock to this course I know I would. Play
    would move much faster and the game would be enjoyable for everyone no
    matter what level you play at. The course would also have the press for
    being the first course to make a stand on what has become THE NUMBER
    ONE problem with the game today. Now if a group of courses together say
    Stow, Juniper, and the other greater Marlboro courses moved to put this
    policy in place now it would work. What about the guy who has been
    golfing for twenty years and knows the rules should he be required to
    get a certificate? Yes these are the people that will be needed to set
    the example. If the USGA and PGA endorsed this policy and ran a few
    adds featuring a couple of tour pros explaining they have thier
    certificate the plan would be well on it's way. Should people be
    charged for the certificate? I don't think so. The courese are going to
    get more people on the course and the maintainace on the course should
    go down.
    
    What say you?
    
    Pete

    
>>    this increases with time. From a practical sense, I might point out
>>    that the pattern of response to someone offering criticism expressed in 
>>    .5 has a downside. How do you feel when you take physical issue with
>>    someone as a first recourse and he/she kicks your butt ? There's always
>>    a badder cat around - even if "It could NEVER happen to me..." Just a
>>    thought.
    
    Constructive criticism is one thing. Just criticising how one plays
    (like...get off court if you don't know what you're doing) is another.
    I don't mide constructive criticism. It's the other that irritates me,
    and a lot of other people. I'm also not too worried about the other
    person kitting my butt. Being 6'3" and weighing in at 220 with a 35"
    waist and 49" chest, I usually don't have a problem. Oh, I may come
    across that person someday, but I haven't yet.
    
    re .10
    
    I suggest you re-read my note in .5. I made no mention of slow play or
    how badly people are playing. I was referring to the idiots drinking
    beers, playing as a 5-some, hitting balls into people, not raking the
    sandtrap.... The typical *ssh*les that you don't want on a course.
    
    Mike

    
    RE: Mike, You may not be worried about someone kitting your butt but
    what if they try to kick your butt. 
    
    Pete

    
    re Pete
    
    I like that....What a typo.....
    
    Mike

    >>>>>>>> 1362.22
    
    	You guys are just too much talking about being bad cats, kicking
    	but and posting your measurements.  Should we move this to the 
    	humor notes file or the singles notes file ?
    
    	-Laura
    

      .21
    
       The "old" owners at Stow more or else did that.
       No carts
       No "corporate days" where actually NON-EVER -PLAYERS 
        actually would shoot 200! and tear up the course.
       Got kicked off, real easy, etc , THAT's why I liked those guys
         even if some thought they were rude. They put the courses first
        and golfers second.
       And when I played North alone, NO ONE would go over 96.
       Now I pray for getting hooked up with singles that will break
       110.
        By giving a "rude posture" that the course comes first
        they at least , on North, actually without knowing it,
         "certified" the course that if your   'cap was over 25,
         you might play somwhere else.
        
       It was wonderful.
       Maybe Butternut will be that way.(Their new course).
    
          Ang
    
        

    Well, here's my third try...I hate it when you get "network partner
    exited" during entering a note.
    
    Re: .21
    >                                   What about the guy who has been
    >golfing for twenty years and knows the rules should he be required to
    >get a certificate? 

    Pete, I'm one of them and I WILL be the first one on the block to get
    it if they started this great idea. I also won't mind paying for it if
    it's reasonable ($5 - $10). Like I said in .11, it's sort of like a
    diving certificate and think of all the benefits we get from it.
    
    Hideshi

    i consider myself a hacker.  i have been playing for four years.
    i went from being thankful to hitting the ball when i swing at it
    to breaking 100 for the first time this year.  when i first started
    i went out of my way not to slow other players down.  the people in
    this notes file who are replying to this are barking up the wrong tree.
    i would guess that anyone reading this file fixes ball marks, replaces
    divots, etc.  the people you are talking to aren't in this file!
    
    i agree with the certification process.  i learned the stuff from
    older golfers but would gladly have paid $10 and an hour of time.
    
    and what is all this bowling bashing? bowling and golf both
    require a pretty much repetitive swing or stroke with minor
    adjustments for the situation.  both my brothers are pretty
    fair golfers and bowlers and agree that mentally they are in
    the same category.  i am an okay golfer and bowler and i agree.
    (BTW, when i say bowling i mean big balls.  i don't know how
    anyone can candlepin bowl.  that is the hardest thing to do!)
    
    hack nicklaus
    

    
       Re: .28   
    
         Bowling bashing?  Where did you get that from?  Went back to look
      at all the replies and I'm the only one who brought up bowling. I
      like bowling (use to be a fair candlepin bowler), but I use to like golf
      a whole lot more because it is an outside activity and more chall-
      enging.  All I said was that in my opinion, bowling is looking more
      attractive as a hobby and golf is becoming less attractive.
    
         A round of golf is becoming a tedious chore where you are
      always waiting and waiting to hit your next shot and while you are
      waiting you have to listen to the group behind you yelling at you to
      speed it up.  It is amazing how many golfers nowadays are blind and
      lack the common sense to see what is happening beyond the group in
      front of them.  
    
        Golf bashing maybe, but certainly not bowling bashing.
    
    -rick

    This may ruffle a few feathers, but - I've done it before. I don't
    assume that everyone who reads and/or writes in this file fixes ball
    marks, rakes traps, etc. There are too damn many examples on the golf
    course of these kind of things to assume that a tiny % of golfers are
    responsible. I think a lot of us are aware of what to do, and try to
    act responsibly, but I'm not letting everyone off the hook on this.
    
     Those of us fortunate enough to learn the game as caddies, or from
    others who appreciate the game are fortunate. But lots of folks (Good
    players as well) learned on their own or from folks who didn't care
    about anything except "How am I playing ?"
    
     No matter what we've done up to now, the slate is clean the next time
    we step up to the 1st tee. Let's take it from there and leave the
    course better than we found it.
    
    --Jack 

    
>>         Bowling bashing?  Where did you get that from?  Went back to look
>>      at all the replies and I'm the only one who brought up bowling. I
>>      like bowling (use to be a fair candlepin bowler), but I use to like golf
    
    Candlepin isn't bowling. Try real bowling sometime. 8*) 8*) 8*)
    
    The idea of certifying people before they can golf is a interesting
    one. However it'll never work. In order for it to work, the golf
    courses will have to buy in on it. Some courses will, and some won.t In
    fact a lot won't. So we all just golf at the courses that accept
    certified golfers. I think these public courses will go out of business
    real fast, if they had to depend entirely on certified golfers.
    
    Mike

    
    I have read this note without commenting, until now. Mr Varley hit the
    nail on the head in .30, you cannot assume the ball marks and
    divots are coming from people who are learning the game. I have come
    to the conclusion that humans (ok, maybe Americans) are, in general, 
    very lazy.  Just because a person knows how to do somethign and 
    knows that it is the correct thing to do, does not mean he will
    do it. There are basically 3 types of golfers, and everyone falls
    into one of the three (for this discussion)
    
    1) People who have played a while and know what to do (fix ball marks,
       replace divots, etc) and they do it, plus fix others as well.
    
    2) People who have played a while and know what to do, but are to lazy
       or feel they are better than that.
    
    3) People who don't know.
    
    People in class 1 are fine, people in class 3 need to be taught, mostly
    by example, and people in class 2, well there isn't much you can
    do about them.
    
    --Bob
    

    To add my two cents on slow play, I play in leagues and sometimes on
    weekends, so I see slow play in both areas. But what irks me the most,
    is the how the people perceive their playing ability. Take a group
    where maybe one out of four can hit a drive 200+ , why do all four
    players wait till ,the group in front of them is 250 + out of range. If 
    the short hitters just tee it up first, it would keep things moving.
    But no ,they all wait ,then 3 out of the 4 hit it 100 yards. The same
    things happen on the green, once a players putts, they should putt out.
    Not keep going from player to player.
    
    
    Mike

    Let's take responsibility for getting the certification started.  In my 
    home for many years (Sacramento, CA) they have a program for kids (18
    and under).  They attend two etiquette classes and they are given a
    card, entitling them to play all day on for a $1.00 fee on all the City
    and County courses.  The program helps bring in the youngsters and
    start them right and it is a source of educated golfers for the future. 
    The last time I played a Sacramento City Course, I played in under 4
    hours (barely, like 3.58), but the course has twice been the site of
    the National Public Links Tournament and each year is the host of the
    California State Fair Tournament - it was built in the twenties and is
    an excellent course - so I think the program has merit.
    
    Could each of us, in our own geographies, propose this to our
    Municipalities.  If we had a draft plan to provide, we could even give
    Digital a boost and give our own game a boost.
    
    Big Mac

	Just thought you might like to hear about something *good*.

	I can't remember the last time someone suggested my group play through.
	But last Sunday at Passaconaway we were behind 2 foursomes who
	knew each other, chatted alot, and played really foul golf.  But they
	actually kept it moving.  After 9 2 of our foursome (who had been out
	for their semi-annual attack, Sunday AM @ 9!!!&^**&^%^^aaarrrggghhh)
	dropped out.
	  My friend and I raced to the 10th tee, and casually informed the
	foursome that we were only 2.  They suggested we play thru!  I almost
	fainted.  Then on 12, the other 4 of this 8-some called us thru them
	while they were on (or at least near) the fairway.  We played the back
	in about 1:45, total of about 4:15.  Best I've ever done on a weekend.
	Two groups let us play thru!

	OK, back to griping.

	Mike

    
    	Mike...
    
    	That's great that you were able to play through and get your
    	round done in that short period of time... But on a weekend..
    	I have a problem with twosomes.. Generally, the courses we play
    	are pretty well packed... and a twosome will have to play thru
    	EVERY group they catch up with... Sometimes we will, but most
    	times there is noplace for a twosome to go... so we don't. I
    	guess it depends on how much of a distraction the twosome is.
    
    		Smitty
    

And getting back  to  the  note title, for those of you in Massachusetts:
Did you see in Sunday  evening  news  Rocky Johnson after making his last
put  at  the  Digital Seniors Classic,  and  winning  his  second  career
tournament, shouting to the gallery:

                            "I AM THE MAN!!!!!"
                            
He was a happy man!

    That was Rocky Thompson not Johnson and that WAS a great bit he
    did after birdying 18 to win by a stroke. I watched the replay
    3 different times and broke up each time.
    
    Knocks in about a five footer for the win.
    
    Drops putter and does about a five or six "double pump dirty boogie".
    
    Gets a high five from Trevino.
    
    Signals the crowd to quiet down.
    
    When all is quiet he SCREAMS "I AAAAM THE MAAAN!
    
    
    Needless to say, I am now a Rocky Thompson fan.

    I forgot to add that I was there (Nashawtuc) Sunday and I did not
    hear one YUDAMAN or ITSINTHEHOLE. Good for you New England !

    re. 32
    
    Well, I don't know what category I fit in, but I find myself fixing
    lots of ball marks (mostly other people's, since I don't often cause
    them myself) and raking footprints in bunkers (mostly my own, but often
    those that have been there since the Stone Age). I can remember being a
    walking scorer at the Digital Senior Classic in '87: Gay Brewer put his
    ball in a fairway bunker, and threw a conniption fit when he found it
    in a footprint. I guess that made an impression on me.
    
    I've often thought a certification would be a good idea, but hold
    little hope of getting it done at any of the local courses, who seem
    too concerned about not making things difficult for their paying
    customers, or in increasing their overhead by adding rangers to keep
    things moving along. For myself, golf's tough enough without having to
    wait 10 minutes between shots and having to play out of craters in
    bunkers or putt over dents in the greens. Still, I grin and bear it.
    Going out to play Stow North for the first time in about three years
    this Saturday (finally, a *real* golf course). Hope conditions are a
    little better than at the pastures I usually play at.
    
    	Frank
    

    
    re .40
    
    Frank,
    
    From what you say, and have said in the past in this file, you are
    surely in category 1, ie the best one.
    
    The point I was trying to make is that just because people know what to
    do, does not mean they are going to do it.  Having people pass a 
    certification will simply assure that they know the proper thing to 
    do. Having them actually do it is another thing all together. Sure
    it will eliminate some of the problem people, but not all.  I have
    seen golfers, who know better, just swing away in the trap, then just
    walk off, they also don't replace divots or repair ball marks.
    
    Personally, I try to fix mine and any others near mine, or that I walk
    by while on the green.
    
    --Bob
    

We some times forget. It is helpful to fix a fellow players ball mark as they'll
get the message.

    Just saw the movie 'Navy seals' on video. Enjoyed it with one major
    exception. There's a scene where seals are told to go out and have fun.
    So what do they do? They go out to the golf course and play cart polo
    and bumper cars. Some viewers will get a wrong message that it's okay
    to do that on the course. It may be entertaining, but I sure wish these
    moviemakers use different activities. May be this 'YOU THE MAN!' stuff
    got started from movies/TV.
    

    After watching the PGA tournament this year, You The Man seems to have
    been replaced by BE AS GOOD AS YOU LOOK..How unfortunate..Its always
    somethin..