Golf Fore the Good

It may be the off season in my neck of the woods, but all is not quiet in the local golf community. Golf and life go on in this holiday season, and unfortunately not all of it is full of good will toward men… but even the worst of it can be good for a belly laugh and a ho, ho, ho, depending on which side of the fence you’re on.

First, the Good:

If you are a golfer anywhere within the proximity of Cape Cod you might want to add an item to your Christmas wish list. At the risk of losing out on a coveted time slot for my own lessons, I am compelled to pass along this link to Cape Cod Golf Connect. Not only is CCGC offering exceptional values on lesson plans (discounted even deeper until December 21st), check out their bright new concept for personalized internet accessible lessons. Not only does Cape Golf Connect offer something of value to improve any golfer’s game, you would be working with consummate professionals of proven reputation. Caring, dedicated golf professionals, cost saving packages… oh, and did I mention they’re set up for indoor lessons for the off season? How good is that?

The Bad:

I am optimistic by nature, a quality that usually can’t hurt, especially on the golf course. I count down the days to the winter solstice knowing that, once that milestone is past, we’re on the upside of the season. Despite still falling mercury that date brings the promise of a little more afternoon sunlight and the chance that the days ahead prove benign enough for a few holes of golf.

Because of its geographic location, Cape Cod often offers snow-free fairways throughout the winter. Even after a fairly heavy snow fall we’re more often than not graced with above freezing temperatures immediately following, hastening our return to wide open and playable courses. Our golf courses have been known to have long lines on the tees when just an hour north the courses lie under a blanket of snow and ice.

Well, after an early season storm, we’re melting fast but not fast enough for weekend play. The hills and dales of area courses are currently great for kids and sledding. But from a golfer’s point of view, it looks pretty bad out there.

The Ugly:

And I do mean ugly. Days after opening my mail box and finding a copy of a letter sent out by an area golf professional I am still stunned by the fact that such a missive was sent at all, but even more by the fact that it was sent by someone who includes the term “professional” in their title.

Without going too far into the details, let me sketch out the basic scenario, such as it was described by the poison pen. A golfer takes a couple lessons, seems to bond well with his teaching pro and asks for further advice on purchasing a set up custom clubs; golfer buys clubs; golfer loves clubs for a few days; golfer decides the clubs aren’t right and asks for refund; situation apparently gets out of hand and way too personal; teaching pro sends letter (should I say “rant?”) regarding the situation to a group of said student’s fellow golf course members with a decidedly bitter tone.

I don’t know how the request for a refund was made. I’m not sure it matters when the source states that they would do “everything and anything” to make things right. A purchase either comes with a refund or it doesn’t. It shouldn’t come with a public thrashing.

It is unfortunate that the golfer wasn’t happy with his custom clubs. It is also unfortunate that somehow the situation must have gotten a bit testy. But it is abhorrent that a professional of any kind felt the need to go public with what should have remained a private matter between student and teacher.

I’ve had good lessons and bad lessons; some take, some don’t. I’ve had golf clubs made that I didn’t really like and I’ve been sold some clubs that proved to be incredibly well suited for my game. Stuff happens; it’s golf. Golf professionals are not “one size fits all.”

A true professional or businessperson of any sort knows that you can’t please everyone all the time. If a head chef faces criticism by a diner is it wise to advertise the situation or might it be better to do one’s best, quietly and discreetly, to rectify the situation? What purpose is served by publicly declaring “Mr. So-and-So hates my food… why don’t you try it?” Doesn’t make much sense, does it?

I’ve made my living in service and sales and I know it isn’t always easy. In fact, some people are impossible to please. However, snapping back at the the hands that feed you is hardly the way to promote your services, irregardless of how you assess their treatment of you. Why would anyone want to do business with someone who shows the potential of going off on a pointed and personal attack when things don’t go as planned?

Golf, while supposedly an enjoyable pastime for all of us amateurs, can elicit enough stress by the very nature of the game. A matter between student and teacher, between golf professional and client, should never have been aired in such a public and unpleasant manner. Ugly barely begins to describe it.

So, as always, golf imitates life… the good, the bad and the ugly.