Mr Grumpy

Subscribe to my blog

By Mr Grumpy - Wed 6th Oct 2010

 

I think that it was Bob Hope who said that 'A game of Golf spoils a good walk'. I know I'm paraphrasing, and to be honest with you I can't really be bothered to spend literally seconds browsing Google to confirm whether I'm right or wrong here – I have such an aversion to all things Golf.

Normally I am apathetic about most things, but on this matter my feeling boils over into a positive distaste.

I can't ever recall feeling this was when I lived in the UK, so it must be something that has crept up on me during the years that I have lived over here in Spain, and I can't for the life in me put my finger on any one reason as to why that would be.

One of our local expat radio stations even has a full Saturday morning dedicated to talking about Golf ! - A whole morning discussing 'who wore what pastel coloured Lyle and Scott jumper' or 'who had the most ridiculous baggy checked golf pants on' during the previous day's play I shouldn't wonder.

Even one of the local Newspapers has a full double page spread on the 'sport' (for the sake of argument, let's call it a sport – personally I don't think any pastime where you don fancy dress and drive around a field in what I can only term an Invalid carriage warrants the name).

I am also shocked at the money involved in the 'Sport' – not for professionals, but for everyday players. A few hundred quid a year to become a member of a club, followed by Green fees and then 50 quid or so just to whack a couple of balls about on a bit of grass. I honestly don't get it.

So do they charge these fees because they can ? Because they know that there are corporations out there who honestly believe that the old rumour that 'more business is completed on the golf course than in the boardroom' ? - Yeah ? - well how about getting your ar** out of your golf buggy once in a while and back in the boardroom so you can conduct your business where it belongs then ?

Maybe there is an element of snobbery and elitism that I don't like – that any 'sport's club' that makes it applicants jump through such hoops to simply become members 'must be worth while' – is it a status and snobbery thing ? - “Giles and I had Dinner with the President of Church Manor Golf Club last night, he's sure he can fast track us through the 5 year waiting list, the membership is only two thousand a year...” - yeah ? Well I had a game of Pool down the local last night for a couple of Euros (Can't say it impressed anybody that much though....)

...Or is the etiquette, sometimes etiquette for it's own sake ? Men only days, Women only days, Junior afternoons, No Shorts allowed, collars must be worn on shirts etc.... Why ? So you can justify your extortionate prices to yourself. Of course it's important to have standards, to I prefer to judge a person on how they behave and the manner in which they conduct themselves as opposed to whether their shirt has the regulation collar or not. And surely such a person would be vetted by the board during the membership application process ?

But honestly, that's just my personal opinion. I accept that there are quite a few normal people who don't fit my stereotype out there who enjoy a game of golf (or as normal as anyone who plays golf can be...) and who must be frustrated by the elitism, snobbery and excessive expense involved in the 'sport' .

I also accept that it brings a degree of money to the country who promotes many of its developments as prime golfing resorts.

...Anyway, rant over for today, the open has just come on the telly.