Man kicked off course for wearing black socks

[blueonblack]

I haven’t done much research on the guy, so I wouldn’t put it past anyone to make a scene to promote their book that’s for sure. It’s a race to go viral in this world.

with that being said even if the guy was purposely doing so to cause a scene it’s still a dumb rule even if they tell you on the website prior. I’m sure some of my bucket list courses have similar rules so I won’t go to hard stanced against dress code stuff. I just had never thought of socks being a part of the polices. I better make sure i wear conforming underwear at my favorite courses.

I just looked the guy up and it took about 5 seconds to see he had a book to sell. I may have remembered the name from years past.
Its an election year. Everyone has a book.

 

[RecGolfer]

It's their course, their rules. But then, we don't have to go there. I dress nicely when I play golf. In fact, my dress has elevated the dress of my playing partners. But I dress this way because I want to, not because I have to.

 

[Lefteist Golfer]

the general census is and completely agreed that it's their rules and regardless of how weird for whatever reason they might be he either shouldn't have tested the waters by wearing the black socks and worn the right color or just not gone to the course....most of the times these articles we read on major news outlets, social media etc... are all these peoples attempt for their lime light and 5 seconds of fame lol

for this guy being thrown off the course how many have played the course with the rule and followed it and things were and are fine? why this 1 guy....is he above the rule, he went there bent to make a name for himself I bet imo

 

[baylrballa]

for this guy being thrown off the course how many have played the course with the rule and followed it and things were and are fine? why this 1 guy....is he above the rule, he went there bent to make a name for himself I bet imo

Yup, he didn't get kicked off for wearing black socks. He wasn't allowed to play because he didn't want to change socks.

 

[Desmond]

One of the courses in my area will not allow a person to wear blue genes of any sort on the course, no gene shorts either.

I agree with that rule - there's no denim jeans in golf!

Unless you are in deep rural Texas ... you just give those fellas a pass ... just because you don't want to start any trouble.

 

[Buckeyegolfnut]

But why run out and tell the public? What is the motive to tell them to shove it and also tell the public? Why try to play the scenario tp the public ear as though its wrong and shameful? That entire idea for doing that imo is all about trying to force your own way on others. That is part of the very problem I see with society and its insistence that all barriers everywhere have to totally come down so everyone can fit anywhere however they wish. That imo is wrong. Its a private club and its not correct to try to force private clubs , organizations, or anything into accepting everyone's ways. That goes against the very essence of freedom and democracy.

Outside of golf there are all kinds of private clubs and organizations everywhere. Living in and near NYC my whole life and there are countless social clubs (among other types of entities) all over Manhattan that are very exclusive. Would be as exclusive as Augusta membership is to golfers and maybe even ,ore exclusive that that. Its all good. I cant belong to probably most of them even if i tried and most people cant. Thats what makes them private and exclusive. And its perfectly ok to have that. Im not going to go out and get that message out to the public as though the club is doing wrong and needs to tear down all their barriers so that I and anyone else can partake. That whole notion tears at the very essence of freedom and advocates away from capitalism and towards socialism.

this is sounding political now but its indeed exactly what it is. The ideology which tries to insist that every entity is wrong if they dont allow everyone and anyone to fit in however they wish is something that tugs at the very heart of capitalism vs socialism. Thats exactly what the ideology does and what hes done by taking it to the public. . Instead of blabbering to tear down a barrier , he should appreciate he lives in a country where an entity can still have the freedom to chose how they want to run their own membership instead of one which that cannot exist.

How would he feel when he dines out in a upper scale fine restaurant with proper attire and a group at the next table comes in tank tops and flipflops and baseball hats and has loud mouths and maybe even inappropriate language? Would he not feel there was a need to not allow those folks in to the establishment? You bet your butt he would. And its the exact same thing no different at all. Should those folks then go out and let the public know about this terrible restaurant that wouldnt let them dine just because they wore tank tops and sandals? This is very exact same thing he is doing. By the very logic itself we would all be everywhere and anywhere whichever way we want to be. And that is not good. It creates that bowl of mush i brought up before and it also breeds towards socialism.

If I recall correctly, the guy is a columnist. And while I am heartened to read anyone from the NYC area, a hotbed of liberalism, advocate for capitalism. I don't think the column cuts as deeply as you maintain. The guy is just complaining about a stupid rule, that cost him an enjoyable day of golf.

And while I agree that clubs and associations are free to make rules and membership requirements to their liking, I can also agree that it's a dumb rule! Think of this. Suppose the club made another rule requiring male members to always wear long pants while playing. Would the black socks rule still apply? And how would they enforce it? Would they require members to draw up their pants so some inspector could see what color socks they were wearing? Makes me imagine a country club headed by Kim Jong Un! Come to think of it, they could get rid of the sock rule if they required exactly that!

Also consider that your argument for freedom only extends to the limit of a clubs fame. Consider Augusta National with Martha Burke up their nose. Or Muirfield Links in Scotland. Both got into hot water for their "exclusivity". And I don't think that they should have. I read a column at the time from a writer who had been invited to play Augusta by a member. He wrote that there were women all over the place! Yes, they were wives or "nieces" of members, but they were hardly excluded.

And I think that your 3rd paragraph is pure "apples & oranges". Did the columnist show up in cargo or cut off denim shorts? Tee shirt or tank top? Tennis shoes or sandals over his hideous black socks? No. Or, at least as far as I've been given to understand, the only complaint about his wardrobe was the color of his socks. This is far from the same as trying to enter a 4 or 5 star Michelin Guide restaurant wearing the same clothing! In fact, black socks would be welcome there!

Case in point. When in San Francisco, we were invited to dine at the Olympic Club, for lunch, by our host. We arrive there, my step-Dad in suit and tie as usual, me in dress pants, dress shoes, and button down shirt. No jacket and tie. I was a much younger man than now. We get to the hostess, she looks at me and says, "I'm sorry, we require a jacket and tie in the dining room." I told her that I was sorry, but the man who invited us did not inform us of that. She said not to worry, and just go through a door. There were jackets and ties aplenty that I could use. I went in the room, and there was even an assistant to help me!

Would it be so hard, or expensive, for the club to keep a few pair of white socks at the "inspection" point? "I'm sorry, but we require white socks on the course. Here's a pair that you can use!" The Olympic Club way is the best way. It keeps either party from looking like an a**hole!

 

[blueonblack]

I agree with that rule - there's no denim jeans in golf!

Unless you are in deep rural Texas ... you just give those fellas a pass ... just because you don't want to start any trouble.

Golf elitism.
Elitism in general.

 

[rollin]

First of all, I think stretching this into a capitalism vs socialism take is overreaching..... your example of the restaurant unfortunately doesn’t match up. Cause if the guy showed up wearing sandals and a tank top to the course then that absolutely is appalling. But he didn’t. It was black socks. Imagine the restaurant kicking someone out for black socks. It’s asanine. that’s not a comparable situation at all. I’m not gonna sit here and say, “well thank god they have the freedom to make those rules”. It’s a stupid rule period. And i can understand not agreeing with cancel culture and the guilty before proven innocent tactic. However don’t blame the guy who posted it. It’s a free country and he has every right to make it public. If the club is so embarrassed of the rule that they are afraid of what the public might think than that just shows how idiotic of a rule it is. Period.

One issue with what you say is that your deciding just where the line is to be drawn based on your own opinion of it. Tank and sandals by your own thoughts is "absolutely appalling" but the black socks is ridiculous the other way. I happen to agree that the whole black sock thing is ridiculous. But the point here is that it cant nor shouldn't only be ok where we want to draw that line instead of them. You see the only difference is in how far one decides to move the line of acceptable. They take it further than we would (perhaps much further) but that doesnt at all make it any different nor more or less valuable nor more or less right or wrong. Its not really fair for us to say its wrong simply because they keep their line further exclusive than we would.

 

[blueonblack]

Has anyone EVER been kicked off for their apparel?
I have not. And I wear jeans and every golf "sin" you can think of.

The guy just wants ya to buy his trashy golf book. Don't do it.

 

[BigMac]

I haven’t done much research on the guy, so I wouldn’t put it past anyone to make a scene to promote their book that’s for sure. It’s a race to go viral in this world.

with that being said even if the guy was purposely doing so to cause a scene it’s still a dumb rule even if they tell you on the website prior. I’m sure some of my bucket list courses have similar rules so I won’t go to hard stanced against dress code stuff. I just had never thought of socks being a part of the polices. I better make sure i wear conforming underwear at my favorite courses.

I haven't researched the guy either and I may be reading into a couple of the posts, but if this guy is in fact a columnist, knew about the rule in advance and went there just to make a spectacle over it and get his 15 minutes of fame to help peddle his book or blog or whatever, then he's an even bigger douchebag than the douchebags that made the no black socks rule. That would be like going to an all-womens gym that you KNEW was an all-womens gym and pitching a fit because they wouldn't let you in the door to work out.

Refusing to change socks? That was his choice. If I went to one of my bucket list courses and was told that I couldn't wear the socks I had on, I'd buy a pair of their "approved" socks from the pro shop and go enjoy my round. I might grumble about their stupid rule under my breath, but it doesn't make any sense to make a scene over it. They weren't going to make an exception for me in the first place, and they certainly wouldn't be inclined to do so after I MF'ed them and put up a big stink over it, so why bother? I'm in their house and it's their rules.

If I go to a friend's house and he says they don't allow swearing around their children, I'm not going to go off on him about how he's infringing on my First Amendment rights and it's a free country and I can say whatever I want, wherever I want. It's his house, he makes the rules. If I don't agree with them I'm free to leave, but I certainly have no right to tell him how to run his house.

 

[tequila4kapp]

Silly rule but it’s their rule

 

[Desmond]

Golf elitism.
Elitism in general.

I really don't care about labels. Yes, I guess pros and most of us are elitists. But I've seen the price of jeans, and a decent pair of slacks or shorts are less elitist. lol.

 

[blueonblack]

I really don't care about labels. Yes, I guess pros and most of us are elitists. But I've seen the price of jeans, and a decent pair of slacks or shorts are less elitist. lol.

It's never been about the PRICE. You've been on forums for a millennium, you know that. "Go to Kohl's."
Pros wear what THEY ARE TOLD to wear. Now what? Now you have to look within.

You obviously care VERY much about labels, or you would forgo such statements entirely.

I am most definitely not an elitist. You can remove me from the membership ranks of "1."

 

[Desmond]

It's never been about the PRICE. You've been on forums for a millennium, you know that. "Go to Kohl's."
Pros wear what THEY ARE TOLD to wear. Now what? Now you have to look within.

You obviously care VERY much about labels, or you would forgo such statements entirely.

I am most definitely not an elitist. You can remove me from the membership ranks of "1."

Call a wahmbulance... lol. Touring Pros who lived in a neighborhood community where our course is located and has a great range and short game area, complained about the relaxing of the dress code - t-shirts, jeans, etc.

I believe in dressing for a sport - denim jeans are not appropriate for me and I don't see people wearing jeans playing on our local courses. But like I said, I've seen guys in rural areas play in jeans. Doesn't bother me. They are playing in them. Do I think they are appropriate to the tradition of the sport? No. When touring pros are on our range, are they wearing jeans? No.

It's okay to be in the minority. But don't b*tch and use labels as "elitist." It's ignorant.

 

[blueonblack]

What's the net worth of a touring pro these days? Why would I, or anyone else, compare my golf experience to that of the Tour pros?
From what I recall, your course is a high end public course? Any tax dollars involved there?

I propose an "Anti-jeans" stipend, voluntary, on every green fee.
You can pay more for full rack rate green fees to get the riff-raff off YOUR course and make it into a more private model, huh?

 

[chile]

this thread has gotten a lot of mileage.

 

[blueonblack]

I don't want anyone banned, but I was just told I was "ignorant" to my face.
I have been booted twice now for MUCH LESS than that.
Lets play fair, shall we?

And love the opportunity that some schmuck has a book to sell, and you use it to propose more stringent standards at public courses.
You are hook, line and sinker on the golf propaganda. This is what they WANT. Media is EVIL.

 

[tommyhaka]

I have worn these shorts, with black ankle highs, to private courses without any issues. To be thrown off a course for just the socks is ridiculous, and egotistical.

 

[Desmond]

What's the net worth of a touring pro these days? Why would I, or anyone else, compare my golf experience to that of the Tour pros?
From what I recall, your course is a high end public course? Any tax dollars involved there?

I propose an "Anti-jeans" stipend, voluntary, on every green fee.
You can pay more for full rack rate green fees to get the riff-raff off YOUR course and make it into a more private model, huh?

It's privately owned and it's Aussies and foreign pros with their families out in this particular development. Not exactly elitists. A few months ago, I was talking briefly with John Senden about his game while on the chipping area with him. Nice guy. I happen to live 15 minutes from DFW Airport and pros, for some, reason, like to live near an airport.

We should have a gofundme account for guys who wear jeans - lol.

LOOK, I don't wear jeans golfing and don't care if others do but apparently some courses do. Just because I don't care for wearing jeans in golf does not make me or anyone else "elitist."

This started with a guy with black anklet socks and I thought he did it in good taste. I go on the putting green with guys in sweat pants and t-shirts. If the course allows it, I don't question it. It's not me but we are all different.

I've seen guys wear starched jeans on the course, thought it humorous but if that's what they want, and the course allows it, okay. Starched - heavy - you can tell by the creases. In the winter, I see a few guys wearing jeans in the 40's. I don't care. I don't - it's not my style. But we are all different.

 

[chile]

black socks matter

 

[blueonblack]

It's privately owned and it's Aussies with their families out here. Not exactly elitists. A few months ago, I was talking briefly with John Senden about his game while on the chipping area with him. Nice guy.

We should have a gofundme account for guys who wear jeans - lol.

LOOK, I don't wear jeans golfing and don't care if others do but apparently some courses do. Just because I don't care for wearing jeans in golf does not make me or anyone else "elitist."

This started with a guy with black anklet socks and I thought he did it in good taste. I go on the putting green with guys in sweat pants and t-shirts. If the course allows it, I don't question it. It's not me but we are all different.

I've seen guys wear starched jeans on the course, thought it humorous but if that's what they want, and the course allows it, okay. Starched - heavy - you can tell by the creases. In the winter, I see a few guys wearing jeans in the 40's. I don't care. I don't - it's not my style. But we are all different.

If you'd pay attention to the details of what we are ACTUALLY discussing here, and not some personal agenda of your own, the golfer involved is Aussie, the club involved is Aussie.

You were saying, counsel?

 

[Desmond]

If you'd pay attention to the details of what we are ACTUALLY discussing here, and not some personal agenda of your own, the golfer involved is Aussie, the club involved is Aussie.

You were saying, counsel?

You have no idea what you're talking about, and it is not an Aussie course or development. I spoke with one golfer but others have historically lived there - they had their bags and names in the clubhouse - it's a fairly unstuffy suburban course.

You are not correct with facts. You assume. And I don't like to wear jeans playing golf. You do. You seem resentful and just want to keep poking with inaccuracies. Sorry for your life.

 

[blueonblack]

You have no idea what you're talking about, and it is not an Aussie course or development. I spoke with one golfer but others have historically lived there - they had their bags and names in the clubhouse - it's a fairly unstuffy suburban course.

You are not correct with facts. You assume. And I don't like to wear jeans playing golf. You do. You seem resentful and just want to keep poking with inaccuracies. Sorry for your life.

I even provided a LINK to the article that states the golfer in black socks has a book to sell and he threw people under the bus in said book.
You have to put in the effort to read the exhibits put forth to be able to tear them apart.

Now, you were saying about the nice Aussies that wanted to make things more exclusive at your course, which you still have not clarified if it is public or private where YOU play.

 

[ArmyGolf]

Haven't read the thread, but my thoughts are simple.
1) The rule is dumb
2) The course is allowed to have dumb rules.
3) If golfers don't like the dumb rules, play elsewhere

 

[blueonblack]

Haven't read the thread, but my thoughts are simple.
1) The rule is dumb
2) The course is allowed to have dumb rules.
3) If golfers don't like the dumb rules, play elsewhere

Golfer in black socks wrote a "tell all book." Pissed people off.
Now they don't want him at their courses.
He had on black socks.
He could have had on a black hat, or no hat at all.
He was not playing there any longer. Comeuppance.