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I have been playing on public courses half dozen times. Most people I met are very friendly, some have good insights to the game and just aspects of life... very enjoyable to talk to.

But here are some things I observe that just prove some people are nuts:

1) perfectly healthy people riding carts... what's wrong with these people

2) not playing the ball as it lies... ball goes into the trees, throw it back into the fairway and hit the next shot... ball goes into the rough (!), throw it to shorter rough and hit the next shot... what is that, are we playing marbles?

3) too many wedge shots around the green, even there is only 5 ft of rough, everybody is using the sand wedge (just like Garry Player said).. seems they have a phobia using the putter unless the ball is on the green.

4) Duffers with expensive equipment. I have seen too many people with "$1000 bag and $10 game"... but hey, it's their money, so I guess I am ok with that.

hmmmm....wonder if I'm one of those duffers you're talking about ...heheh

1. I walk and I agree.... but I certainly appreciate the money riders pay to ride when it helps make the course better.

2. Man....I didn't think anyone was lookin'!

3 Using a putter from any kind of rough is a risky proposition. :nodsmiley

4. Hey, If you can't play well, you've got to at least look good. Don't you?

1) Perhaps they appear healthier than they actually are. A few years ago, I had a problem with my left hip that was aggravated by walking. I looked perfectly healthy at the beginning of a round, but was in excruciating pain 12 holes later--and for several days after that--if I didn't ride.

2) Be thankful that they're doing something to speed up their play.

3) You can putt through fringe, but rough is tough.

4) With a $500 driver, $200 putter, $100 worth of ProV1's, and $200 bag, I'm in for $1000 already and I don't have any fairway woods, irons, wedges, tees, gloves, shoes, or raingear! I'd say that a $1000 bag is pretty modest, especially when I play that bag for 10 years or more with my $10 game.

1) I would walk but it interferes with my smoking.

2) Unless you are playing for money or in a tournament, who cares?

3) I use the Texas wedge whenever I can. From the apron or some short grass but if it's in the rough I'd probably bump and run an iron.

4) All my clubs are from the used-bin and some have the orange stickers still on them.

1. I agree with valeogut - I got some funny looks last year riding in a cart - what people didn't know was I'd just had my appendix out 4 weeks earlier.

2.If it helps beginners enjoy the game more, and it's not a comp, I have no problem with this.

3.If you see what my putting is like, you would probably suggest I use my wedges on the green.

4. My bad. In my defence, both my driver and my putter are my husband's cast offs.

1) WHATS PERFECTLY HEALTHY? During my adult life, I have seen and heard of folks who have died of a heart attack at fairly young ages, and I thought they were "perfectly healthy". I assume your qualified to rendor a medical opinion? Does it really matter if a person walks or rides?

2) Oh ya, I would much rather this person take and extra 5 strokes to get back on the fairway, and then do it again 100 yards further down when it happens again.

Lets not throw rocks from a glass house, ya never know who is waiting to return fire from the street.

1. I like to walk also, but most people my age absolutely will not walk. If they pay for the cart, I'll ride.

2. People can play the game anyway they want. If we're playing for money then they have to obey the rules.

3. Wedges with a straight leading edge can be a great way to put out of the rough. I prefer lower lofted clubs for chipping.

4. I have far more than $1k invested in my bag. I don't really care what people think of the way I play.

1-Why would you care if they are in a cart? It may even speed up your round. It could also be because the beer in the bag is just too much to carry??
2-Again, why would you care, how they score they're game. If they want to play for $$$ or bragging rights, then they'll have to learn how to play it honestly.
3-I've been playing for 27 years and never putt through the rough. Why would you want to? Putting from the fringe or fairway is a different thing though.
4-I think you spent too much time watching others play than playing your game.

After playing for most of my 40+ years with whatever gear I could scrape together, last year I decided to invest in some Cleveland custom fitted irons. I also bought some custom fitted woods. I'm a left hander and have never had a really decent set of equipment before. Now I do...Is my game better?...well, yes and no...I AM able to play more consistantly and at least now I can't blame my equipment. I am also a heart transplant recipient, and LOVE being able to walk the course again. But I don't knock the folks who ride. It does speed up play and keeps a lot of courses open by increasing the revenue they take in. I just play during the slack periods and avoid weekend crowds most of the time. As far as using wedges goes, Gary Player said that you don't get into as much trouble when you keep it on the ground. But he was quick to comment, that some times you HAVE to get it airborne to get it on the green. Remember, it's just a game.

Golf carts are bad for the course in my opinion. Knuckleheads make ruts with them in soft turf and they knock down the rough. I had the wonderful fortune to play San Francisco Golf Club a few days before it hosted a US Open semi qualifier. No carts allowed. No paths and great caddies. It was really, really, cool. The visual look of a course with no cart paths is a real treat.

Some of the "primitive" courses I play have no cart paths either. and you're right about how much more beautiful a course is without ribbons of asphalt wrapping around the fairways, making them look more like freeways.

1. You're saying there's something wrong with "healthy" people riding carts? Have you ever thought that some people work out in the gym and play golf on the golf course?
2. As others have already questioned: Why would you care, or how is it any of your business how someone else decides to keep their score? Perhaps they only get to play a few times/year and don't keep a handicap and would rather not hit out of the woods. I know I wouldn't complain if I were behind them...heck, go set it on the green while you're at it.
3. You hit the nail on the head there Anyone using a wedge near the green should be locked up in a padded room.
4. I agree. Those people are nuts! Anyone who shoots over 90 should be dressed in rags and use a stick with a rock tied to the end to hit their ball. What right do they have to buy nice equipment?

Well, you sure did prove people are nuts. If I were you, I'd stay off the course and just continue practicing in an empty ball field where there a far less crazy people to contend with.

These are great observations! Here are my thoughts on them:

1) General laziness. But there is another reason - walkers hold up play. I know many people dispute this, but many courses have LONG distances from greens to the next teebox, and walkers always holdup everyone. And.......many people do quite a bit of hunting for their ball, which also takes time. A GOOD PLAYER who walks will keep pace, but most others don't.

2) haha!! I see a lot of people doing this, but it's the "bill clintonizing" of the world. Get away with anything you CAN.

3) Many people aren't creative with their short games. look at ANY driving range - everyone is generally bashing Drivers on the range, and perhaps 1-2 people are in the short game area.

4) $$$$$. If people have the $$$$, they'll buy whatever they want. Duffer or not.