Chivalry is not dead — Civility is!

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Call me old-fashioned but I yearn for more civility. And, I’m not talking about civility in politics, or on the road, or when discussing racial issues — I’m talking about men’s professional golf! For the past 10 years or more, some spectators at events feel compelled to scream “in the hole!” or “mashed potatoes” or most annoying of all, “Baba Booey” with every swing of the club. These screamers have their reasons for the yell, and when the screaming first began (I’m unable to provide an exact date), it was a funny novelty! Now, it’s an uncivil and unnecessary assault on the senses.

I have been watching golf for decades both on TV and occasionally in person. I like to play golf as I find it relaxing, at least when I’m playing well. Full disclosure; I do occasionally yell “in the hole” when one of my mates hits a great shot or putt. My favorite golf watching memories involve sitting with my wife 15-years-ago watching the beautiful and serene vistas at The Masters with the soft-spoken CBS commentators politely covering the event. Nothing epitomizes what I’m talking about more than Tiger’s masterful chip on the 16th hole in 2005. You can hear a pin drop before AND after the chip. Sure, the crowd (and the commentators) go wild when it appears that the ball will go in the hold, but you have to expect that. In today’s game, that iconic moment would likely be ruined by screamers yelling “in the hole” or whatever. UGH, the thought of that makes my stomach hurt!

“Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course — the distance between your ears.” – Bobby Jones

I fully enjoyed watching televised golf once it resumed without crowds during the pandemic because it was so quiet! Sure, I missed the energy generated by engaged spectators when a golfer is playing well or in need of encouragement, but the silence allowed both me and the golfer to focus on the mental aspect of the game. Many golfers missed the crowds, which is understandable, yet their play didn’t appear to suffer in the least. No one said, “Darn, I would have made that putt if only a fan had screamed ‘in the hole’ just as I hit it!”

One other thing worth mentioning is how not having crowds and grandstands allowed me to appreciate the beautiful course scenery. Augusta National is even more colorful and hilly than I ever realized having been able to see it crowd-free. Thankfully, the PGA didn’t follow in the MLB or NBA’s footsteps and put cardboard cutouts of spectators on the course — though it could have been interesting if the golfers used them as targets.

Golf Spectator Civility is on the Decline!

If forced to rate the respectfulness of sports spectators over the past 50 years, I would put chess (it’s a sport!), bowling and golf at the top of the list, and Little League parents, football, and soccer at the bottom of the list. Golf, over the past ten years, is trending down, way down. The scene at the recent PGA Championship where the crowd ignored the ropes and mobbed Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka as they headed to the 18th green may signal the end of the end of golf civility. Phil and Brooks took it in stride though they both appeared shaken, and the PGA has been silent about what occurred except for an apology to Phil and Brooks from the PGA CEO — thankfully, no one was hurt. The question is will the PGA try to get this back under control or just chalk it up to the end of the pandemic, a North Carolina crowd, and a hot day with too much alcohol? I hope they try to rein in the crowds in a bit.

While this blog claims to be a blog about nothing, it does occasionally touch on important issues. The civility of golf spectators is one of those issues as it reflects the lack of respect for others that is becoming common in our society. It also reflects a misplaced sense of entitlement spectators believe they have because they can afford to attend exclusive and expensive sporting events where professionals earn millions of dollars. What’s next, riots on the fairways between rival golfer fans? What do you think about this, even if you’re not a golf spectator? Should we just abandon all established societal norms? Let the discussion begin.

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