Warning: This post contains “un-ladylike” language. Unless that lady is me.
A couple weeks ago I was at a local golf course getting ready to play in my monthly club tournament. Still getting to know my new swing and not having had a breakthrough yet, I gave myself some extra time at the range to try to get the feel for it before teeing off. I had just barely finished stretching and had only hit a few balls. I think it was pretty obvious I was concentrating on what I was doing, struggling, and adjusting.
Cue the douchetard.
I’m pretty good at ignoring what goes on around me at the range. But one person’s hovering seemed to be getting closer and when I saw someone approach my golf bag in my peripheral vision I decided to pay attention. A guy actually grabbed a club out of my bag. Before I could even say anything, he stepped toward me and took the club from my hand! I was stunned and probably had my mouth open as I stood there in disbelief. He handed me the other club, squatted down and touched my leg! He was giving me some kind of instruction about my stance or what he wanted me to do but I couldn’t hear a word he was saying. What kind of idiot hands a woman a weapon and does that? He was not just some random guy offering tips or perving around. He was a teaching pro at the course. Think he’d attempt the same thing with a man? Even an unsolicited tip or offer of assistance? I doubt it!
I smile. A lot. I’ve been told it’s a rather cheery sight. I have also been told that when I don’t smile I look like I’m frowning. I have also been told that when I intentionally frown – especially out of anger – that I can look downright evil and have a pretty fine “death to you” glare. Short story shorter – The fuckwad made it off the range alive. But in a hurry.
So, if you’re a golf pro and you see someone like me as described above, what do you do? Don’t be that pro.
*Image from Metromix Chicago.
July 29, 2011 at 9:49 am
You’ve got to be kidding me!!! This guy must have been a complete loser! I’ve known a lot of pros over the years… and not ONE of them would EVER think of doing THAT! Sorry that you had such a lousy experience.
July 29, 2011 at 1:33 pm
I think that because I’m a woman, strangers (always men) think that it’s ok to come up to me on the range and give me unasked for advice. It happens ALL the time. SO ANNOYING!
July 30, 2011 at 11:39 am
TGC,
Horrible experience, zero respect for a fellow golfer.
Unwritten code, DON’T touch a fellow golfers sticks!
Not a good way to solicit a future lesson.
August 1, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Oh my goodness! Did you say anything to him? Details! We want details!
-12i
August 29, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Wow! What a dork. I was a club pro for a little while and would walk around the range on occasion and I would just ask the members what they were working on, and if they wanted advice they’d ask, if not, I’d be on my way. It was more to let them know “i’m here for you” sort of thing. A lot of those individuals would schedule lessons after that too. Seems like the guy had a pretty big ego. Sheesh.
September 17, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Unbelievable. Sounds like you handled it well. Sorry you had a bad experience.
November 2, 2011 at 1:33 am
Shocking! Unfortunately, some of the male pros do try ridiculous moves on female golfers. Maybe they get further with the ones who don’t have a ‘death to you’ glare.
November 11, 2011 at 12:40 am
An unacceptable intrusion into your personal space. You’re right – he’d never have done it to a man…I wonder if he’d have done it if he’d known that you’re a better shot than him…
December 14, 2011 at 4:48 pm
What nerve. I probably would have aimed the club at him.
January 4, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Reeves has won six figures in his career on the circuit, which includes as many as 50 events a year. Lebo has won about 80 titles, including three majors. Yes, there’s a U.S. Open and a Masters in professional mini golf.
It’s more than a summer outing or a hobby. The guys—and gals, too—love the game and competition. In fact, the 2011 U.S. Open champion is a 16-year-old girl from the Czech Republic.
February 2, 2012 at 10:51 pm
lol @ douchetard
I have to agree.. he probably wouldn’t have done this to a man.
February 12, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I totally feel your pain. Once when I was practicing on a range, a golf pro walked by and said, “Keep that left foot down!” in passing. Another time, a different pro had been watching me and couldn’t resist commenting, “You need to make a fuller turn.”
I doubt these guys would ever give such unsolicited, drive-by advice to a man practicing on the range.