One thing that will eventually occur for anyone who sneaks on "professionally", is getting caught by the marshall or golf pro. Another golf employee to watch out for is the beer girl, cart boy or any clubhouse employee. I used to think that avoiding the marshall or clubhouse window was enough, but I have learned that lesson. Usually, once you're on, the members or other golfers will leave you alone. I'm surprised how stuffy members will give you stares but not say anything.
I've gotten caught several times. I was greedy at a very posh daily fee course and the head pro sent a marshall to tell me to check in at the clubhouse. Another time, a marshall with a holstered gun and cowboy hat asked me if I was a member. I said that I wasn't and said that I honestly wanted to play at this particular private course and saw an opportunity since there was no one on the front nine. He was nice enough to let me finish the nine holes and told me never to come back. There was nothing like hitting a 300 yard line drive as he pulled away.
The best thing to do when getting caught is to be honest and say that you won't do it again.
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Golf Sneak - Post 3: Fee Free Philsophy
On this post, I'd like to talk about why I sneak on golf courses. The most obvious reason is cost. Golf course costs are at an all time high in comparison to course maintenance and value. Another major reason is addiction. I can honestly say that I am addicted to golf and more so, quality greens and fairways.
I shoot near scratch golf and started so in high school. Playing high school and some college golf blinds the realities of golf cost. You are able to play a nice course everyday as part of "practice" and have all the range balls in the world. As part of a team, you are usually priveleged to nicer, $30-plus courses at great variety. My team went to tournaments all over the metropolitan area.
The coaches, instructors and golf pros do not realize how they are spoiling kids to golf and then expect them to pay ridiculous fees as soon as they turn 22 and graduate college. I think there needs to be another cost bracket for non-professionals who are 20-30. I do work hard and am on track to make a decent salary, but right now I can't pay to play as a did in high school and college. Some tell me to just hit the range and hit balls. The range does nothing to soothe the addiction of a single digit handicapper.
Ultimately, sneaking on golf courses is a crime and can be punishable by prosecution. If there is anyone who has been prosecuted and jailed, I'd like to hear about it.
I shoot near scratch golf and started so in high school. Playing high school and some college golf blinds the realities of golf cost. You are able to play a nice course everyday as part of "practice" and have all the range balls in the world. As part of a team, you are usually priveleged to nicer, $30-plus courses at great variety. My team went to tournaments all over the metropolitan area.
The coaches, instructors and golf pros do not realize how they are spoiling kids to golf and then expect them to pay ridiculous fees as soon as they turn 22 and graduate college. I think there needs to be another cost bracket for non-professionals who are 20-30. I do work hard and am on track to make a decent salary, but right now I can't pay to play as a did in high school and college. Some tell me to just hit the range and hit balls. The range does nothing to soothe the addiction of a single digit handicapper.
Ultimately, sneaking on golf courses is a crime and can be punishable by prosecution. If there is anyone who has been prosecuted and jailed, I'd like to hear about it.
The Golf Sneak - Post 2: Strategy
I'd like to describe my current strategy and see if there other's out there with good ideas. I try to stick to afternoon times during the week. The weekend is difficult but can be done especially at low quality municipal courses. I also look for starting holes or ninth holes that are not in the clubhouse's line of sight. Another very risky strategy is keeping golf cart keys and using them on later days. I haven't done enough research, but I think all E-Z-GO and Club Car keys are the same. Timing and marshall awareness seem to be the highest factors in sneaking on daily fee courses. You have to watch for major gaps between groups and look for other singles who are walking. 27 hole and executive courses are a favored target for me. 27 hole courses just blend out the crowd and more gaps seem to come up. Also, the clubhouse is usually not able to focus on all three starting holes. The least criminal form of sneaking on is playing extra holes after playing eighteen. This can be accomplished much easier if your second round begins in the late afternoon, preferably after the marshall has quit working.
As a minority, it is that much more difficult for me to obtain free golf from the ultra private courses. I can't just sneak on ultra private courses with nice clothes on. I have tried and have gotten caught. I find that it is necessary to have an accomplice. It helps to have an older, 40-50s, Caucasian male go with you and act like a member. At some ultra private courses, there are fences which have to be hopped over. I've found that there are always weak points to a courses fencing, even with barbed wire. I have used downed trees and tree stumps to climb fences.
As a minority, it is that much more difficult for me to obtain free golf from the ultra private courses. I can't just sneak on ultra private courses with nice clothes on. I have tried and have gotten caught. I find that it is necessary to have an accomplice. It helps to have an older, 40-50s, Caucasian male go with you and act like a member. At some ultra private courses, there are fences which have to be hopped over. I've found that there are always weak points to a courses fencing, even with barbed wire. I have used downed trees and tree stumps to climb fences.
The Golf Sneak - Post 1: The History
I started sneaking on as a high schooler and then as a college student. I didn't have the money and was soon became addicted to the quality and challenge of expensive daily fee courses and private clubs.
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