BuffaloGolfer.Com received an email from a local course superintendent, Eric Tuchols of Harvest Hill. In it, Mr. Tuchols asked if we would bring our viewership’s attention to a simple act of courtesy and etiquette: don’t put maintenance workers at risk. Mr. Tuchols, that’s an easy call to make. We’re sorry we have to do it, but we are happy to oblige you.
One of the silliest things I’ve seen during my golfing days is the attempt to whack the cart that collects practice balls at a driving range. Golfers act as though the fenced-in cart is completely impenetrable; that’s not the case.
I think that “hit the driving range guy” is a gateway drug to “hit it at the grounds crew; they’re wearing helmets” or “hit it at the grounds crew; since they’re there, they must be immune to pain.” It might be an inconvenience, but give them a bit of space. Jump and down and wave at them, shout at them, ANYTHING to get their attention. Looking and sounding like a goof is all right when someone’s well-being is at stake.
If you don’t quite get the message yet, we’re patient. For another article on the topic, click here.
I worked maintenance for 3-1/2 years, cutting fairways and spinning traps. The first thing that we need to recognize is that we are talking golf: usually, when you try to not hit at something, you hit into it (water, a sand trap, the woods, etc.). It’s golf, after all; when you swing left to avoid the problem on the right, the ball goes at the problem on the right. If you are a maintenance worker, wherever you are, you are a ball magnet.
As a maintenance worker, the thing that is really troubling is that golfers won’t wait until you have a chance to see them and gat out of the way. But, of course, is this any wonder? The same golfers get to the tee, pull their clubs, and stand at their balls well before the group ahead hits their own shots and clears the landing area. A professional waits until the group ahead has played and cleared the landing area before he even pulls a club from his bag. Maintenance worker to hacker golfer: act like a pro and wait until the maintenance worker clears the landing area before you pull a club out of the bag.
I got hit in the head once. It is darn scary; and, once is one time too many.
Golf course owners and operators are equally to blame. They should post signs to the effect that the maintenance crew are responsible for good course condition – love your maintenance worker, respect your maintenance worker. Without that person, your greens, fairways and traps will not be in the condition that you expect.
It’s easy to treat the maintenance worker like dirt. After all, you the golfer have paid the big buck to play a fine course in pristine condition. The maintenance worker is, well, just a maintenance worker. So, put the shoe on the other foot and question how you would like being hit at by hard golf balls continually.